You have
probably seen different types of Sak Yant tattoos designs and shapes. Sak Yant
tattoos themselves are mostly referred to as the Muay Thai tattoos because they
are usually worn and attributed to Muay Thai fighters. What do they mean, after
all? What are their basic functions and advantages?
The Unique Tattoo Creation
Sak Yant
tattoos are often associated with spiritual powers. Originally, these tattoos
were done by the Buddhist monks to the Muay Thai fighters to give them
blessings of good luck, protection, success, and other positive reinforcements.
The monks would use the sharp bamboo needles to prick the skin and create a
pattern. It is possible to use steel needles today but the basic implementation
is just the same. How is the sensation? Well, when compared to the modern
tattooing with the modern equipment, the implementation of Sak Yant is more
painful. It does take a special skill to be able to prick the skin fast and
efficiently and come up with the artistic pattern.
The Rules
There are so
many strict rules often associated with the Sak Yant practice and
implementation. For instance, if your tattoo is made by someone who isn’t a
monk, you can get a bad luck. If the person doesn’t use a bamboo stick, it will
also create another bad luck. The Sak Yant you have will be considered fake and
any fake tattoo will not be properly blessed. As you are well aware of, the
wearer of the tattoo will be endowed sacred or the supernatural power from the
tattoo but having the fake tattoo will get you nowhere – you won’t possess any
extra power or ability either. If you want to experience the full effect, you
need to follow the rules.
The Various Sak Yant Designs
Although there are
basically limitless types of Sak Yant Thai Tattoos designs and patterns, these are the most
common Sak Yant patterns:
·
Ha
Thaeo or the Five Row Yant.
·
Hanuman
or the Monkey God. It is commonly chosen by fighters because it represents
courage and bravery.
·
Tigers.
It represents power, fearlessness, and strength. That’s why it is often chosen
by soldiers, fighters, and the police. The design may vary, including twin
tiger or leaping tiger.
·
The
Hermit or Pho Kae or Reuesi. The wearer of the tattoo is believed to possess
the wisdom, kindness, knowledge, and peaceful state of mind.
·
Ganesh
or Phra Pi Kaned, which is a Hindu god.
It represents success.