Thai Tattoos (Sak Yant) and Their Meanings

Thai tattoos are also known as Sak Yant in Thailand. Sak means 'to tap' in Thai and Yant means 'sacred geometry'. Different from tattoos in other parts of the world, tattoos in Thailand are considered to be a form of protection to ward off evil spirits and bad luck rather than trendy decorations or membership marks. Tattoos in Thailand are not done by machine, but with a sharpened bamboo stick that is dipped in ink.

On the first weekend of March, thousands of people visit Wat Bang Phra Monastery, which is about 50 km (30 miles) from Bangkok, to get their new Sak Yant tattoos or recharge their old ones. It is known as the Tattoo Festival in Thailand. Buddhist monks chant hymns and tattoo people who want to get a sak yant.

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Top Five Sak Yant Tattoos in Thailand

Here are the five most popular Sak Yant tattoos that people get for themselves during the festival.

1. The Five Line Sak Yant

The five-line Sak Yant is one of the most popular tattoos in Thailand. It is commonly done by Buddhist monks at the monastery. It is said that the five-line Sak Yant can protect the holders against bad fortune and bring good fortune. It can also make you more attractive to the opposite sex and confident in dealing with personal relationships. Some say it is the love Sak Yant in Thailand.

It is believed that the script of the five lines was created by a Buddhist monk from Chiang Mai, Kruba Kam of Wat Ton Pin Monastery. This special Sak Yant is more than 700 years old. Its magical spell is written in the ancient Khom language.

2. The Nine Peaks Sak Yant

The Nine Peaks Sak Yant tattoos are based on the mythical Mount Meru Peaks, which are said to be related to Mount Kailash in Tibet, China. Mount Kailash is revered as the center of the world in four religions. The nine peaks represent nine qualities of Buddhists.

This Sak Yant is believed to bring good fortune to its holders. It can also help the holders increase their popularity and esteem. You can see many Thai shirts and clothes with the Nine Peaks Sak Yant image on the back or front.

3. The Eight Directions Sak Yant

There are eight tips pointed to "the eight directions of the earth" in this Sak Yant. The eight directions of this Sak Yant represent the Buddha's eight divisions of teaching: right view, right intention, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.

This Sak Yant design is believed to provide protection from eight types of worldly negativity. Holders with the eight directions Sak Yant believe they are protected no matter where they are.

4. The Hanuman Sak Yant — Muay Thai Tattoo #1

Hanuman is a famous character in the Hindu epic Ramayana. He was considered to be very strong, courageous, and smart. The Ramayana is a well-known legend composed by Valmiki in India. The legend is also retold in Thailand and other Asian countries. A Hanuman Sak Yant is also popular among those who have read the legend. It is also a favorite Sak Yant among Muay Thai boxers and martial artists.

It is said to provide strength, wisdom, and courage to its holders or wearers.

5. The Tiger Sak Yant — Muay Thai Tattoo #2

There are one or two tigers in this Sak Yant. Tigers are revered as great hunters and strong beasts in Thailand. Holders of the Tiger Sak Yant are believed to take on some of the qualities of tigers. It represents great power, a high reputation, and authority.

People who work in dangerous environments are fond of having this special Sak Yant. Because it represents great power and strength, the Tiger Sak Yant has become another favorite of Muay Thai fighters and martial artists. Local people believe the Tiger Sak Yant can bring them the spirit of the tiger and strength.

Places to Get a Thai Tattoo in Thailand

Traditional Thai tattoos have become more and more popular around the world. Many celebrities get their tattoos in Thailand, such as the famous actress Angelina Jolie, who got inked by Ajarn Noo Kanpai. There are several temples and tattoo parlors to tattoo tourists with traditional Thai Sak Yant designs. Here we introduce some of the best places to get inked in Thailand.

Bangkok

In Bangkok, the most famous place for Sak Yant tattoos in all of Thailand is Wat Bang Phra, which is a Buddhist temple about 50 km (30 miles) west of Bangkok. It is the most famous Sak Yant monastery in Thailand. Thousands of tattoo lovers visit this place during March for the Sak Yant Festival during the first weekend of March.

Besides Wat Bang Phra, there are some well-known tattoo parlors in Bangkok, such as:

Arjan Neng Sak Yant Tattoo: This is a popular Sak Yant parlor in Bangkok. Their master, Ajarn Neng is one of the most powerful Sak Yant masters in central Thailand, known for his anointing. Go with a translator to get the most meaning out of your tattoo experience.

• Address: 288/296 Phueng Mi 50/24 Alley, Bang Chak, Phra Khanong, Bangkok

BT tattoo: Many tourists get their tattoo there. It has a really professional team who you can entrust yourself to. They tap their Sak Yant tattoos using traditional methods.

• Address:  Klong Toey, Bangkok

Bangkok ink tattoo studio: They practice traditional Sak Yant tattoos and have received thousands of awards from satisfied customers. The staff there are super accommodating and lovely. Their tattoos masters are really talented and patient.

• Address: Watthana, Bangkok

Phuket

If you are visiting Phuket and want to get inked, here are some of the parlors that you are suggested to choose from.

Tattoo Jane Phuket: This is the most popular tattoo parlor in Phuket. They got a 5-star award from their customers. Masters there are smart and nice. You can trust them.

• Address: Tattoo shop in Chalong, Mueang Phuket

Sak Yant Phuket: The second largest parlor in Phuket, their popular master Non is extremely patient and helpful. His work is amazing and loved by many tourists in Thailand.

• Address: Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket

Sak Yant Phuket Ajarn Patr: It is a tattoo service with true artistry, cleanliness, professionalism. Their services are caring and warm. Ajarn Patr and his staff are also great at communication.

• Address: Rat U Thit 200 Pee Rd, Pa Tong, Kathu District, Phuket

Chiang Mai

Sak Yant Chiang Mai is the biggest Sat Yank parlor in Chiang Mai. They can tell you stories about the tattoos, the rituals, and explain the entire experience.

• Address: 27 11 Arak Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chang Wat, Chiang Mai 50200.

The Cost of a Sak Yant Tattoo in Thailand

The cost of a Sak Yant in Thailand depends very much on your required size, design, and placement of the tattoo, and the master who inks you. For a Sak Yant in a Buddhist monastery, you have to offer a donation to the temple. For private Sak Yant parlors, the cost of Sak Yant ranges from $30 to $350 depending on the size primarily.

Rules for Thai Tattoos

There are some superstitious rules you have to follow if you want to get a traditional Thai Sak Yant. If you offend the rules, then the power from the Sak Yant will be removed or ineffective. Here is some of the advice that Buddhist monks give to Sak Yant holders.

• Only ink above your waist. Thai culture respects the private parts of the body and it is not a good behavior to expose parts of the body below your waist.
• Don't kill any living creature, even the smallest insect. Buddhists think killing is a bad practice, which leads to losing one's kindness.
• Don't cheat on your love partner. And don't have an affair with a married man or woman.
• Don't get drunk and lose control of yourself. Buddhism expects you to keep sober in life all the time.
• Don't speak ill of your family members. Family plays an important role in Thai people's life. Respect and love your family members, especially your parents and grandparents.
• Don't steal or lie.

Religion and History of Tattoos in Thailand

Different from other countries, tattoos in Thailand are strongly related to the Buddhist religion. Many traditional Thai tattoos are related to Buddhist imagery, and the history of tattoos in Thailand is related to Buddhism.

According to Thailand's historians, Thais began tapping tattoos between one to two thousand years ago. Concrete evidence of tattoos dates back to the time of King Naresuan Maharaj (1590–1605). During the period of the Ayutthaya Kingdom (1351–1767), soldiers were tapped with tattoos or wore shirts with Sak Yant designs in readiness for the battlefield. The Sak Yant designs were meant to protect them and bring good luck to them. Officials and civil servants also wore Sak Yant shirts to indicate their social status.

Since then, more and more common people have elected to have sacred Sak Yant designs inked on their bodies with the wishes of getting protected and having good luck.