Traditional Thai Tattoos August 24, 2010
Posted by The Wayward Wiccan in : Random Ramblings , trackback
For over 3,000 years, in Thailand, it has been a tradition for soldiers to wear protective tattoos called “Sak Yant”. The ancient art of tattooing with bamboo began in the Buddhist temples: soldiers would come to be tattooed by monks and those tattoos would give them strength, invincibility and protection according to numerous legends. The entire tattooing process was accompanied by chanting of prayers that also give great strength to the wearer of the protective tattoos.
The technique is quite impressive and the process itself is very painful. But considering all the benefits, bearers say it’s all worth it.
One of the most popular traditional designs is the tiger. It is said that the tattoo of a tiger represents the tiger’s spirit and if placed on the lower back (preferred location) the tiger spirit will be in control in the wearer’s life. Animal Thai Icons are considered both holy and lucky but only if they’re surrounded with mantras and yantras applied by a monk while chanting the sutras. Other popular tattoos are Thai script reproductions of prayers and “yantra”, a pattern composed merely of dots.
A very interesting fact is that decorative tattoos have no protective and good fortune powers. According to traditional tattooists, because they are done by electric machines in the hands of tattooists they lack any true or spiritual feelings.
Do you have any tattoos? If yes, what’s their significance and if not, are have you ever considered getting a tattoo?
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