8/10/2014

Yantra tattooing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Yantra tattooing
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Yantra tattooing, also called sak yant (Thai:

, Khmer:

), is a form of tattooing practiced in Southeast Asian countries

including Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand. The practice has also begun
to grow in popularity among Chinese Buddhists in Singapore.[1] Sak
means "to tap [tattoo]", and yant is Thai for the Sanskrit word
yantra.[2]
Sak yant designs are normally tattooed by Ruesi, wicha (magic)
practitioners, and Buddhist monks, traditionally with a long bamboo
stick sharpened to a point (called a mai sak) or alternatively with a
long metal spike (called a khem sak).[3]

Contents

A simple sak yant nine spire (kau yot)

tattoo

1 History
2 Meaning
3 Types and Designs
4 Locations
5 Gallery
6 External links
7 Further reading
8 References
9 See also

History
Yantra tattooing originated in Cambodia with the use of ancient Khmer script writing. During the Khmer empire
all the Khmer Warriors were covered up with tattoos from head to toe, including their chest, arms and even
fingers. King Jayavarman VII, tested this out with his own body, being struck by arrows, all hits bounced off his
chest. Proof was written in the diary of Zhou Daguan. Chinese chronicles describe yantra tattooing among the
Thai cultures of southwestern China and northwestern Vietnam at least 2000 years ago. Over the centuries the
tradition spread to what is now Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and parts of Myanmar. Today it is most popular in
Thailand, whereas in Cambodia and Laos the tradition has almost completely vanished.
The script used for yantra designs varies according to cultural and geographic factors. In Cambodia and central
Thailand, Khmer script is used, while in northern Thailand one sees yantra tattoos bearing Shan, Northern Thai
or Tai Lu scripts, and in Laos the Lao Tham script is employed.[4] The script spells out abbreviated syllables
from Pali incantations. Different masters have added to these designs over the centuries through visions received

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yantra_tattooing

1/5

8/10/2014

Yantra tattooing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

in their meditations. Some yantra designs have been adapted from pre-Buddhist Shamanism and the belief in
animal spirits that was found in the Southeast Asian sub-continent and incorporated into the Thai tradition and
cultures.

Meaning
Yantra tattoos are believed to be magic and bestow mystical powers,
protection, or good luck.[3]
In Cambodia, the tattoo is used for self-protection.[5] Cambodians
believe a yantra has magical powers that ward off evil and hardship.
The tattoo is particularly popular amongst military personnel. The
tattoo supposedly guarantees that the person cannot receive any
physical harm as long as they observe certain rules.
Yant designs are also applied to many other media, such as cloth or
metal, and placed in one's house, place of worship, or vehicle as a
means of protection from danger or illness, increasing wealth, or
attracting lovers.

Types and Designs

There are many traditional types and designs of Yantra Tattoos, but some of the most well-known and popular
include:
Ongk Phra (Thai:
translation: Buddha's body) - one of the most commonly used elements in
Yantra tattooing but can also be a more complex standalone design. Meant to provide insight, guidance,
illumination, etc.
Ha Thaew (Thai:
translation: five rows) - Typically tattooed on the back left shoulder. Each of
the five lines relates to a different blessing for success and good luck.
Kao Yord (Thai:
translation: nine spires) - typically tattooed on the center top of the back in
various sizes and levels of complexity. Simple version pictured at the top of this article.
translation: four spires) - to influence the feelings or actions of others and protect
Sii Yord (Thai:
the bearer.
Paed Tidt (Thai:
translation: eight points) - represents protection in the eight directions of the
universe. Round shape; typically tattooed on the center of the back. Pictured in gallery below.

Sip Tidt Thai:

(translation: ten points) - a version of Paed Tidt but protects in ten directions
instead of eight.
Mahaniyom (Thai:
(translation: great preference) - to grant the bearer favor in the eyes of
others. Round shape; typically placed on the back right shoulder.[6]
Yord Mongkut (Thai:
translation: spired crown) - for good fortune and protection in battle.
Round shape; typically tattooed on the top of the head.
Bpanjamukhee (translation: five Deva faces) - intended to ward off illness and danger.[7]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yantra_tattooing

2/5

8/10/2014

Yantra tattooing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

translation: tiger) - typically depicts twin tigers. Represents power and authority.
Suea (Thai:

Locations
Many internet sites recommend Thailand as the right place to attain the most refined ritual tattoos and consider
the country as the best place for learning this art. Every year, hundreds of foreigners in search of original and
magical tattoos come to Thailand to have a Sak Yant.[8] In Southeast Asia, Thailand is by far the country with
the highest number of devotees.[3] Sak yant is performed throughout the country in temples in Bangkok,
Ayutthaya, and northern Thailand.
One of the most famous temples in the present day for yantra tattooing is Wat Bang Phra in Nakhon
Chaysri, Nakhon Pathom Province, Thailand. The power of sacred tattoos decreases with time. So, to
re-empower them each year, Sak Yant masters celebrate with their devotees the Wai Khru ritual. Wai
Khru, meaning pay homage to one's teacher. In Thailand, the most impressive Wai Khru is held at the
temple of Wat Bang Phra.[9]
Ajarn Noo Kanpai, perhaps the most famous practitioner of sak yant in Thailand, trained here.
One well-known temple in northern Thailand is Wat Keam, which means "needle".[10] It is located in San
Patong just outside Chiang Mai and home to the sak yant master Phra Ajarn Gamtawn, who died in
Chiang Mai on 14 September 2010.[11]
In the Lum Phli area on the north side of Ayutthaya, Thailand, Ajarn Kob and his son, Ajarn Oh, are
well-known sak yant masters.

Gallery

Yant Paed Tidt

Hlwong Pi Nan tattooing Hlwong Pi Pant tattooing Devotee of Wat Bang

Yant at Wat Bang Phra a Yant in Ang Thong
Phra covered in Yant
Temple
Province.
Tattoos

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yantra_tattooing

3/5

8/10/2014

Yantra tattooing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

sak yant nakhon pathom

External links
Tattoo Thailand | Info about Sak Yant, Yant Meanings, and List of Ajarn Sak Yant (http://www.tattoothailand.com/sak-yant.html)
sak-yant.com - Sak Yant Thai Khmer Buddhist Temple Tattoos (http://www.sak-yant.com/)
Sak Yant: Magic Tattoo (http://www.thaiguidetothailand.com/magic-and-superstition/sak-yant-magictattoo/)
Sak Yant Foundation & Museum Project (http://www.sakyant.org/)

Further reading
Isabel Drouyer, Rene Drouyer: Thai Magic Tattoos The Art And Influence of Sak Yant.Ed. River Books
2013.
Joe Cummings: Sacred Tattoos of Thailand: Exploring the Masters, Magic and Mystery of Sak Yan.
Singapore 2011.
Ian Harris: Cambodian Buddhism: History and Practice. Honolulu 2008.
Jana Igunma: Human body, spirit and disease: the science of healing in 19th century Buddhist manuscripts
from Thailand. In: The Journal of the International Association of Buddhist Universities. Vol. 1 2008. S.
120-132.
Chean Rithy Men: The Changing Religious Beliefs and Ritual Practices among Cambodians in Diaspora.
In: Journal of Refugee Studies. Vol. 15, Nr. 2 2002. S. 222-233.
Victoria Z. Rivers: Layers of Meaning: Embellished Cloth for Body and Soul. In: Jasleen Dhamija: Asian
embroidery. New Delhi 2004. S. 45-66. ISBN 81-7017-450-3.
Donald K. Swearer: Becoming the Buddha: the ritual of image consecration in Thailand. Princeton 2004.

References
1. ^ http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=57,8938,0,0,1,0
2. ^ http://www.sak-yant.com/archive/108yant/
3. ^ a b c http://www.thaiguidetothailand.com/magic-and-superstition/sak-yant-magic-tattoo/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yantra_tattooing

4/5

8/10/2014

Yantra tattooing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

4. ^ http://www.sacredtattoosofthailand.com
5. ^ http://www.leisurecambodia.com/Leisure_Cambodia/No.17/tattoo.html
6. ^ http://www.sak-yant.com/?page_id=2150
7. ^ http://www.sak-yant.com/?page_id=2153
8. ^ http://www.tattoos-tattoos.com/book-preview.html
9. ^ Drouyer Isabel, Rene Drouyer, Thai Magic Tattoos The Art and Influence of Sak Yant, River Books, 2013,
p.99.
10. ^ http://northernthailand.com/a/en/chiangmai-cultural/tattoos/214-sak-yat-at-wat-kheam.html
11. ^ http://www.thaiguidetothailand.com/magic-and-superstition/phra-ajarn-gamtorn-sak-yant-chiang-mai-r-i-p/

See also
Tattooing in Burma
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Yantra_tattooing&oldid=617166833"
Categories: Tattooing Buddhist practices Cambodian culture Thai folklore
This page was last modified on 16 July 2014 at 11:01.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may
apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia is a registered
trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yantra_tattooing

5/5