Have you ever heard of sak yant tattoos? They are a type of thai tattoo very special, which is said to have magical powers...
Discover the incredible history of these tattoos and how to get one by reading this article.
What is a sak yant tattoo?
The name of the sak yant tattoos consists of two words: "Thing", Which means" tattoo "and"yant”Which comes from the Sanskrit word“ yantra ”, a graphic support for Hindu meditation or, in other words, a mandala.
That is to say, that a sak yant tattoo is the representation on the skin, usually with a traditional instrument composed of a bamboo needle, of a yantra that attracts good luck by integrating Buddhist and shamanistic prayers.
The origins of sak yant tattoos
The sak yant tattoos have their origin in shamanistic rituals and superstitions and later integrated into the buddhism. Bill tattoo itself originates from the India, although later it is adopted by nearby countries such as Cambodia or the one in question, Thailand.
The sak yant tattoos they enjoyed a lot popularity between the military of the Thai armies, hundreds and hundreds of years ago. They were feared for magic drawings that were marked on their skin, ancient words and superstitious and magical psalms that, it was said, were more powerful if they were tattooed on the cabeza.
During World War II, the Vietnam War, and the Korean War, the thai soldiers Like "ghost soldiers" by the intricate sak yant tattoos that they wore.
What are today's sak yant tattoos like?
They have survived the time quite well, although now they have lost popularity in the indigenous population (Although apparently still popular with those who work in dangerous professions) and are more like tourists.
Those in charge of making the sak yant tattoos are monks, which will tattoo the design on your skin. These monks need years of study and meditation to become tattoo masters.
The most common types of sak yant tattoos
Let's see, next, the most common types sak yant tattoos: hah taew (five lines), gao yord (nine peaks) and the paed tidt (eight directions).
Sak yant hah tew tattoos (five lines)
This sak yant tattoo It has its origin more than 700 years ago. It was created by a monk in Khom, an ancient language. Over time, it has undergone some changes, but the foundation remains the same.
You will recognize this tattoo by five vertical lines that form it. Each line is a yant, that is, a spell. The first line prevent unjust punishments, purify evil spirits and protect the place where you live. The second line protects you against bad luck. The third, of black magic. The quarter attracts good fortune. Finally, the farm improve your charisma.
Yak sant gao yord tattoos (nine peaks)
This is possibly the yak sant tattoo more universal and known, to the point that it is the first of many people. The nine peaks tattoos attract the good luck.
The nine peaks represent the nine peaks of the mythical mountain of the gods Hindus, Mount Meru. The three ovals They represent Buddha, and each one of them grants special powers and spells. Finally, the csquare rods, known as "magic boxes" present in some (but not all) of these tattoos, contain an abbreviation of the spell.
Yak sant paed tidt tattoos (eight directions)
Finally, these yak sant tattoos are formed by a geometric yant containing eight mantras written in two concentric circles in the center of tattoo. This type of tattoo will grant you protección on trips.
Finally, there are other types of yak sant tattoos that include images of animals like the tiger, which grant power and authority to those who carry them. They are very popular with muay fighters and those in dangerous professions.
A tip when going to get a sak yant tattoo
If you have decided to get a sak yant tattoo, take someone who knows Thai to be able to communicate with him monk. This is especially important if you want to tattoo a design that has a special meaning for you, since the monk will integrate the prayers that you are most interested in design. If not, you will end up with a random sak yant tattoo. Considering the mystique related to these tattoos, it is worth investing time to get the design we want.