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Yantra tattooing or Sak Yant ( th, สักยันต์ ) is a form of
tattoo A tattoo is a form of body modification made by inserting tattoo ink, dyes, and/or pigments, either indelible or temporary, into the dermis layer of the skin to form a design. Tattoo artists create these designs using several Process of tatt ...
ing using Indian
yantra Yantra () (literally "machine, contraption") is a geometrical diagram, mainly from the Tantric traditions of the Indian religions. Yantras are used for the worship of deities in temples or at home; as an aid in meditation; used for the benefits ...
designs. It consists of sacred geometrical, animal and deity designs accompanied by
Pali Pali () is a Middle Indo-Aryan liturgical language native to the Indian subcontinent. It is widely studied because it is the language of the Buddhist ''Pāli Canon'' or ''Tipiṭaka'' as well as the sacred language of ''Theravāda'' Buddhism ...
phrases that are said to offer power, protection, fortune, charisma and other benefits for the bearer.


History

Tattoos believed to offer protection and other benefits have been recorded everywhere throughout both
mainland Southeast Asia Mainland Southeast Asia, also known as the Indochinese Peninsula or Indochina, is the continental portion of Southeast Asia. It lies east of the Indian subcontinent and south of Mainland China and is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the west an ...
and as far south as
Indonesia Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It consists of over 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and parts of Borneo and New Guine ...
and the
Philippines The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no), * bik, Republika kan Filipinas * ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas * cbk, República de Filipinas * hil, Republ ...
. Over the centuries the tradition spread to what is now
Cambodia Cambodia (; also Kampuchea ; km, កម្ពុជា, UNGEGN: ), officially the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochinese Peninsula in Southeast Asia, spanning an area of , bordered by Thailand t ...
,
Laos Laos (, ''Lāo'' )), officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic ( Lao: ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ, French: République démocratique populaire lao), is a socialist ...
,
Thailand Thailand ( ), historically known as Siam () and officially the Kingdom of Thailand, is a country in Southeast Asia, located at the centre of the Indochinese Peninsula, spanning , with a population of almost 70 million. The country is bo ...
, and parts of
Myanmar Myanmar, ; UK pronunciations: US pronunciations incl. . Note: Wikipedia's IPA conventions require indicating /r/ even in British English although only some British English speakers pronounce r at the end of syllables. As John C. Wells, Joh ...
.Cummings, Joe, (2011) ''Sacred Tattoos of Thailand: Exploring the Magic, Masters and Mystery of Sak Yan'', Marshall Cavendish. While the tradition itself originates with indigenous tribal animism, it became closely tied to the
Hindu Hindus (; ) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism.Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pages 35–37 Historically, the term has also been used as a geographical, cultural, and later religious identifier for ...
-
Buddhist Buddhism ( , ), also known as Buddha Dharma and Dharmavinaya (), is an Indian religion or philosophical tradition based on teachings attributed to the Buddha. It originated in northern India as a -movement in the 5th century BCE, and ...
concept of
yantra Yantra () (literally "machine, contraption") is a geometrical diagram, mainly from the Tantric traditions of the Indian religions. Yantras are used for the worship of deities in temples or at home; as an aid in meditation; used for the benefits ...
or mystical geometric patterns used during meditation. Tattoos of yantra designs were believed to hold magic power, and were used much like the
kolam Kolam (,, ), also known as Muggu () or Tharai Aalangaram () Rangoli () is a form of traditional decorative art that is drawn by using rice flour as per age-old conventions. It is also drawn using white stone powder, chalk or chalk powder, often ...
tattoos of India. For these people, religion is closely tied to the notion of magic, health, and good fortune. The script used for yantra designs varies according to culture and geography. In Cambodia and central Thailand, the Old
Khmer script Khmer script ( km, អក្សរខ្មែរ, )Huffman, Franklin. 1970. ''Cambodian System of Writing and Beginning Reader''. Yale University Press. . is an abugida (alphasyllabary) script used to write the Khmer language, the official la ...
of the Khmer Empire is used. While in northern Thailand yantra tattoos may use Shan, northern Thai, or Tai Lu scripts, and in Laos the
Lao Tham Tai Tham script (''Dharma, Tham'' meaning "scripture") is the name given to an abugida writing system used mainly for a group of Southwestern Tai languages i.e., Northern Thai language, Northern Thai, Tai Lue language, Tai Lü, Khün language, K ...
script is employed.Cummings, Joe. (2015). ''Sacred Tattoos of Thailand: Exploring the Magic, Masters and Mystery of Sak Yan''. See als

/ref> The script spells out abbreviated syllables from
Pali Pali () is a Middle Indo-Aryan liturgical language native to the Indian subcontinent. It is widely studied because it is the language of the Buddhist ''Pāli Canon'' or ''Tipiṭaka'' as well as the sacred language of ''Theravāda'' Buddhism ...
incantations. Different masters have added to these designs over the centuries through visions received in their meditations. Some yantra designs have been adapted from pre-Buddhist
shamanism Shamanism is a religious practice that involves a practitioner (shaman) interacting with what they believe to be a Spirit world (Spiritualism), spirit world through Altered state of consciousness, altered states of consciousness, such as tranc ...
and the belief in animal spirits that was found in
Southeast Asia Southeast Asia, also spelled South East Asia and South-East Asia, and also known as Southeastern Asia, South-eastern Asia or SEA, is the geographical United Nations geoscheme for Asia#South-eastern Asia, south-eastern region of Asia, consistin ...
and incorporated into Thai tradition and culture.


Meaning

Yantra tattoos are believed to be magic and bestow mystical powers, protection, or good luck. There are three main effects of a yantra tattoo. One is that which benefits the wearer, such as making them more eloquent. Another is that of protection and to ward off evil and hardship. This is commonly used by military personnel, police, taxi drivers, gangsters and others in perceived dangerous professions. Another type is that which affects people around the wearer, such as invoking fear. The tattoo only confers its powers so long as the bearer observes certain rules and taboos, such as abstaining from a certain type of food. It is believed that the power of sacred tattoos decreases with time. So to re-empower them each year, sak yan masters celebrate with their devotees the
Wai Khru The ''wai khru'' ceremony ( th, พิธีไหว้ครู, pronounced ) is a Thai ritual in which students pay respects to teachers in order to express their gratitude and formalize the student–teacher relationship. It is regularly held ...
ritual. Wai khru means "pay homage to one's guru". In Thailand, the most impressive Wai Khru is held at the temple of
Wat Bang Phra Wat Bang Phra ( th, วัดบางพระ) is a Buddhist monastery (wat) in Nakhon Chaisi district, Nakhon Pathom Province, Thailand, about 50 km west of Bangkok. Wat Bang Phra translates into English as the "Monastery of the Riverbank ...
. Sak yan 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, to increase wealth, and to attract lovers. In recent years Hollywood celebrities such as
Angelina Jolie Angelina Jolie (; born Angelina Jolie Voight; June 4, 1975) is an American actress, filmmaker, humanitarian and former Special Envoy to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. The recipient of numerous accolades, including an Academy Award ...
, whose tattoos were inked by Ajahn Noo Ganpai in Thailand, have made them popular among women. Angelina Jolie got a yantra tattoo of a Bengal tiger in 2004 to celebrate acquiring Cambodian citizenship. However a modern movement in Thailand seeks to progress away from their animistic past. As part of this movement, many modern-day Thais view yantra tattoos as nothing more than good-luck symbols that are stylish.


Types and designs

There are many traditional types and designs of yantra tattoos, but some of the most well-known and popular include: * ''Ong Phra'' ( th, องค์พระ; 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-thaeo'' ( th, ห้าแถว; 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-yot'' ( th, เก้ายอด; 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. * ''Si-yot'' ( th, สี่ยอด; translation: ''four spires'') - to influence the feelings or actions of others and protect the bearer. * ''Paet-thit'' ( th, แปดทิศ; 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-thit'' ( th, สิบทิศ; translation: ''ten points'') - a version of ''paet-thit'', but protects in ten directions instead of eight. * ''Maha-niyom'' ( th, มหานิยม; translation: ''great preference'') - to grant the bearer favor in the eyes of others. Round shape; typically placed on the back right shoulder. * ''Yot Mongkut'' ( th, ยอดมงกุฎ; translation: ''spired crown'') - for good fortune and protection in battle. Round shape; typically tattooed on the top of the head. * ''Panchamukhi'' ( th, ปัญจมุขี; translation: ''five Deva faces'') - intended to ward off illness and danger. * ''Suea'' ( th, เสือ; translation: ''tiger'') - typically depicts twin tigers. Represents power and authority. * ''Uṇālom'' ( th, อุณาโลม; translation: ''
urna In Buddhist art and culture, the Urna (more correctly ūrṇā or ūrṇākośa (Pāli uṇṇa), and known as in Chinese) is a spiral or circular dot placed on the forehead of Buddhist images as an auspicious mark. It symbolizes a third eye, w ...
'', often left untranslated as "unalome") - the ūrṇā curl the between eyebrows of the Buddha. Variously described as representing the '
third eye The third eye (also called the mind's eye or inner eye) is a mystical invisible eye, usually depicted as located on the forehead, which provides perception beyond ordinary sight. In Hinduism, the third eye refers to the ajna (or brow) chakra. In ...
', the path to
nirvana ( , , ; sa, निर्वाण} ''nirvāṇa'' ; Pali: ''nibbāna''; Prakrit: ''ṇivvāṇa''; literally, "blown out", as in an oil lampRichard Gombrich, ''Theravada Buddhism: A Social History from Ancient Benāres to Modern Colombo.' ...
, and the coil, line, and point of the syllable ' Om' written in
Thai script The Thai script ( th, อักษรไทย, ) is the abugida used to write Thai, Southern Thai and many other languages spoken in Thailand. The Thai alphabet itself (as used to write Thai) has 44 consonant symbols ( th, พยัญชน ...
.


Locations

* One of the most famous temples in the present day for yantra tattooing is
Wat Bang Phra Wat Bang Phra ( th, วัดบางพระ) is a Buddhist monastery (wat) in Nakhon Chaisi district, Nakhon Pathom Province, Thailand, about 50 km west of Bangkok. Wat Bang Phra translates into English as the "Monastery of the Riverbank ...
in Nakhon Chai Si District, Nakhon Pathom Province, Thailand. Ajaan Noo Kanpai, perhaps the most famous practitioner of sak yan in Thailand, trained here. * One well-known temple in northern Thailand is Wat Nhong Khem (''khem'' means needle). It is in San Patong just outside
Chiang Mai Chiang Mai (, from th, เชียงใหม่ , nod, , เจียงใหม่ ), sometimes written as Chiengmai or Chiangmai, is the largest city in northern Thailand, the capital of Chiang Mai province and the second largest city in ...
and was home to the late sak yan master Phra Ajaan Gamtawn, who died in Chiang Mai on 14 September 2010. This temple no longer applies tattoos.


Gallery

Image:Yant_Paed_Tidt.jpg, Yan Paet-thit Image:Wat-bang-phra.jpg, Hlwong Pi Nan tattooing at
Wat Bang Phra Wat Bang Phra ( th, วัดบางพระ) is a Buddhist monastery (wat) in Nakhon Chaisi district, Nakhon Pathom Province, Thailand, about 50 km west of Bangkok. Wat Bang Phra translates into English as the "Monastery of the Riverbank ...
Temple Image:hlwongpipant-josh.jpg, Hlwong Pi Pant tattooing a yan in Ang Thong Province. image:Yant-tattoo.jpg, Devotee of Wat Bang Phra covered in sak yant image:Sak Yant Tattoo performed in thailand.jpg, Sak yan, Nakhon Pathom


See also

*
Cetiya upright=1.25, Phra Pathom Chedi, one of the biggest Chedis in Thailand; in Thai, the term Chedi (cetiya) is used interchangeably with the term Stupa Cetiya, "reminders" or "memorials" (Sanskrit ''caitya''), are objects and places used by Buddhi ...
*
Sacca-kiriyā Sacca-kiriyā (Pāli; sa, satya-kriya, italic=yes, but more often: ''satyādhiṣṭhāna'')'' or '' sa, satyavādya''; '' pi, saccavacana'' or '' sa, satyavacana''; ''satyopavācana'', ''satyarākya'', ''satyavākya'', ''satyavacas'' or ''saty ...
*''
Jinapañjara The Jinapanjara ( pi, jinapañjara; th, ชินบัญชร, ''Chinabanchon''), sometimes known in English as "The Cage of the Conqueror", is a post-canonical Buddhist Paritta chant. It is one of the most popular texts that is widely chanted ...
'' *
Luang pho phet 250px, Luang Pho Phet Wat Tha Luang ( th, วัดท่าหลวง) is a Thai Buddhist temple in Tambon Nai Mueang, Amphoe Mueang Phichit, Phichit Province, upper central Thailand. Regarded as the most famous temple in the province and also ...
*
Thai Buddha amulet A Thai Buddha amulet ( th, พระเครื่อง; ), often referred to academically as " votive tablet", is a type of Thai Buddhist blessed item. It is used to raise funds to help the temple's operations. A Thai Buddhist monk will give ...
*
Rangoli Rangoli is an art form that originates from in the Indian subcontinent, in which patterns are created on the floor or a tabletop using materials such as powdered lime stone, red ochre, dry rice flour, coloured sand, quartz powder, flower petal ...
*
Tattooing in Burma Tattooing in Burma was a widespread custom practiced by various ethnic groups, including the Bamar, Shan, and Karen, until the 20th century. Tattooing was a distinguishing cultural marker and a symbol of strength, courage and intimidation for Let ...


References


Further reading

* Chean Rithy Men. "The Changing Religious Beliefs and Ritual Practices among Cambodians in Diaspora", in ''Journal of Refugee Studies''. Vol. 15, No. 2 2002, pp 222–233. * Cummings, Joe. ''Sacred Tattoos of Thailand: Exploring the Masters, Magic and Mystery of Sak Yan''. Singapore, 2011. * Drouyer, Isabel; Drouyer, Rene. ''Thai Magic Tattoos The Art And Influence of Sak Yant''. Ed. River Books, 2013. * Harris, Ian. ''Cambodian Buddhism: History and Practice''. Honolulu, 2008. * Igunma, Jana. "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, pp. 120–132. * Rivers, Victoria Z. "Layers of Meaning: Embellished Cloth for Body and Soul", in
Jasleen Dhamija Jasleen Dhamija (born 1933 ) is an Indian textile art historian, crafts expert and former UN worker. Based in Delhi, she is best known for her pioneering research on the handloom and handicraft industry, especially history of textiles and costume ...
, ''Asian Embroidery''. New Delhi, 2004, pp. 45–66. . * Swearer, Donald K. ''Becoming the Buddha: the Ritual of Image Consecration in Thailand''. Princeton, 2004. {{Tattoo Buddhist art Buddhist mysticism Cambodian culture Magic (supernatural) Tattooing traditions Thai culture Tantra