Sak Yant – Thai Temple Tatoos
January 26, 2007 by nopstar
I got my first tat back in ‘95 and since then I’ve always had an itch to get another. I’ve been playing around with the idea of getting a Sak Yant, or a Thai Temple Tattoo.
“Sak Yants the Thai name for the Tattooing of Sacred geometrical designs on the skin. Yant (or Yantra, as we call them in the west), are normally tattooed by Buddhist monks, or Brahmin Holy men . The Yant tattoos have developed over the centuries under the influence of several different things The Yantra designs that already existed in Hindu India were adapted by the Thais as Buddhism arrived from neighbouring India.”
I consider the Yantra sacred so my decision whether or not to get one will be weighed carefully. Last February I undertook and requested the Upasampada “Going Forth” or Buddhist Monk Ordination. It is tradition for males in Thai families to undertake ordination and become a monk for a temporary period, at least once in their life. I’ll be sure to blog about it later, as it deserves more then this short paragraph.
My Ordination
Anyway my initial point is that I saw several of the Monks at the Temple with Yantras. I’ve always been intrigued by them, but the timing has never been right. To have them done properly they have to be done by a Monk or “Shamen”. Not too many running around San Francisco. Also I don’t know if you’ve ever seen the videos of the Sak Yant ceremonies. It’s straight up crazy. People claim to fall into a trance or become possessed… not really my cup of tea. I’ve attached a clip at the bottom of the post. You’ll see what I’m talking about.
The Designs
Here are 2 designs that I like however the issues are I don’t know their purpose/meaning, and I think they are a bit too intricate for me. If you look at pictures of Wanlop Sitpholek he actually has quite a few Yantra’s on him.
I’m thinking I should just go with something outside of Yantra… I don’t want or need anymore Karmic baggage. I was thinking about going with a battle scene out of the Ramakien. If any of you are interested in learning more about Yantra, check out SakYant.com
Hanuman in battle
Sak Yant Ceremony
Looks pretty cool. I think I’ve seen a version of that top one before on someone at my gym (Say?).
Tong Po-
Close… the one Say has is of Hanuman Sleeping. It is from the Ramakien. This is what he has on his back
http://nopadon.smugmug.com/photos/52173230-M.jpg
Oh, ok. Either way I think he got it in the pen, not from a monk.
i briefly considered getting one as well, as i think the designs are beautiful and would be a great way of literally embodying my thai pride, but my parents seem really dead set against the idea – they think that tattoos (even sak yant) will doom you to life as a thug. my dad also told me some crazy stories about people getting “powers” after getting their sak, as well as the crazy rituals you mention. i also share your concerns about adhering/participating in the rules and customs that go along with the sak. definitely not something that should be taken lightly.
Wow, those are awesome. Do you have anymore pictures of some designs? Isn’t there one with a tiger?
So.. what sort of powers do they give you?
I appreciate you sharing your experiences….I check out your site everyday!
Josh-
Yeah there are tons… yes the tiger one seems to be pretty popular. Check out the link sakyant.com they’ve got a lot of the designs on their site.
Hey does anyone know what the tattoo is on tong po’s shoulder in kickboxer? and also if there is a design of it anywhere as i am very keen on getting something similar
[...] had made mention in a old post I had once took ordination as a Buddhist monk. In Thailand it is often customary for a male to take [...]
i think that sakyant has abeautiful history worth preserving and to be taught to the younger generations
[...] did a post last year on Sak Yant, or Thai Temple Tattoo’s. I’ve noticed at my camp, nearly all of us have some sort of [...]
i did a lot of research on these tattoos also because i wanted to get something in relation to my thai background. i love my culture and wanted to celebrate it but i strongly advise anyone considering getting these designs to please consider the sanctity of these tattoos. once the ink is in your skin and the prayers are chanted you will be condemned for life.
basically, the tattoos are suppose to make you invincible but you’re soul will forever burn if/when you die.
This type of interesting dailogue about Muay Thai and its history is what makes your site so cool. Not just a bunch of meat heads talking about beat downs and smoking pot. Thanks Nop!
I have decide to get an Sak Yant. I dont know what im going to get yet but i am dead set on getting one
i really wan get a Sak Yant but aftr a comment by Piseth:”your soul will forever burn when u die”. I don think is true rite. Then ure sayin all monks with Yants soul will burn. Anyone has any opinions ??
it is not right I am also a American born Thai and I have been to Thailand 15 times
last time I went I got a sak called khao yod or nine peaks temple its is the primary sak that u get b4 other ones. There r certain rules that apply to these saks u must follow the 5 presteps, never ever cuss at all and never lie, with that said each sak has a different power some make jump high or fight stronger, khao yod protects u from blades and bullets and evil spirits,
when u go back to the monk to “recharge” ur sak if have broken any of the rules u will be possessed by the sak u got u will not be condemned or anything like that
what is the meaning of the second tattoo in “THE DESIGNS”?
Hello I have a question, the third picture, the Hanuman in battle picture. what is the menaing of the Thai sentence under the animation??? thank very much!!!
[...] Tip of the hat to MyMuayThai who helped inspire this post with their great article on Thai tattooing here. [...]
[...] A tip of the hat goes to MyMuayThai who helped inspire this post with a great series of articles about tattoos, especially here. [...]
I’m an Australian born Thai, but I have heard many stories about Sak Yant. My great great grandad got it done, and was ‘knife proof’ but he said when he got older he regretted it. My grandad was a senior policeman in Thailand so he had a lot of experience with robbers who had sak yant. Apparently in the procedure, along with the chanting, they put mercury on their palm and then it seeps into their skin, and after that it is always coursing through their body, and whenever they get shot or whatever, the mercury moves to that particular part of the body to stop the bullet. However, whenever there is lightning they feel agony in their body. Also, they are not completely invincible. Even though they are impenetrable from the outside, their internal organs are still vulnerable. So to kill someone with Sak Yant, they would shove a bamboo stick up their a** and out through their mouth, so they bleed from the inside. Lovely eh?
i really like the whole idea of this tattoos and the strength that you are receiving just by looking them, but if i could not get one by monks, the strength and the power that the tattoo has is certainly inoperative but if ill do one similar with out the ritual ceremonies by a tattoo artist ? i mean theres no bad effects on me or bad luck? please repply
I am deploying again soon (this time to Afghanistan) and I have thought about getting one, I will be in Thailand next week. My wife is sketchy about it though and I know the rules can be hard to follow. What are the drawbacks? I made it through Iraq twice without one, I think that I can do this, but I am drawn to them. Maybe I just need something to be a constant reminder to live a good life (especially my language, as a Marine I tend to cuss alot).