Yantra tattooing

Yantra tattooing or Sak Yant (Khmer សាក់យ័ន្ត) (Thai สักยันต์) is a form of tattooing believed to have originated in Cambodia,^[1] that makes use of Indian yantra designs. It consists of sacred geometrical, animal and deity designs accompanied by Pali or Khmer phrases that are said to offer power, protection, fortune, charisma and other benefits for the bearer.

History

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Tattoos believed to offer protection and other benefits have been recorded everywhere throughout both mainland Southeast Asia and as far south as Indonesia and the Philippines.^[2] Traveler Joe Cummings suggests ‘sak’ is a Thai word and thus Sak Yant tattoos are Siamese in origin. However, academic consensus places its origins in Cambodia as both the Thai and Khmer versions use a Khmer script, with Cambodia's version retaining the oldest form of Khmer script^[3] despite periods of vassalage to Siam later. It is believed Sak Yant tattoos acted as armor during the Khmer Empire.^[4]^[5]^[6]^[7]Over the centuries the tradition spread to what is now Laos, Thailand, and parts of Myanmar.^[8] While the tradition itself originates with indigenous tribal animism, it became closely tied to the Hindu-Buddhist concept of yantra or mystical geometric patterns used during meditation. Tattoos of yantra designs were believed to hold magic power, and were used much like the kolam tattoos of India. For these people, religion is closely tied to the notion of magic, health, and good fortune.^[9]

The script used for yantra designs varies according to culture and geography. In Cambodia, the Old Khmer (7th-15th centuries) is used, and in central Thailand, the Khom script, derived from Khmer script,^[10] is used. While in northern Thailand yantra tattoos may use Shan, northern Thai, or Tai Lu scripts, and in Laos the Lao Tham script is employed.^[11]^[12]^[13]^[14] The script spells out abbreviated syllables from Pali 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 and the belief in animal spirits that was found in Southeast Asia and incorporated into Thai tradition and culture.^[15]

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Meaning

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Yantra tattoos are believed to be magic and bestow mystical powers, protection, or good luck.^[16] 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.^[2]

Sak 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^{[citation needed]} from danger or illness, to increase wealth, and to attract lovers. In recent years Hollywood celebrities such as Angelina Jolie, whose tattoos were inked by Ajahn Noo Ganpai with Old Khmer script Sak yant in Thailand, have made them popular among women.^[11] Angelina Jolie got a yantra tattoo of a Bengal tiger in 2004 to celebrate acquiring Cambodian citizenship. ^[17]

However, a modern movement in Thailand seeks to progress away from its animistic past. As part of this movement, many modern-day Thais view yantra tattoos as nothing more than good-luck symbols that are stylish.^[18]

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Devotee’s Rules of Abstention

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The rules of abstention (khatha kamma; ข้อห้ามศิษย์ยันต์) for sak yant tattoos vary depending on the master. Each lineage may prescribe slightly different codes of conduct, which are considered essential to preserve the power of the yant. The following are the rules traditionally taught at Wat Bang Phra:

Do not eat star fruit, pumpkin, or other gourd-like vegetables.
Do not become romantically involved with someone who is already married.
Never insult or slander anyone’s mother.
Do not eat food taken from wedding or funeral banquets.
Do not eat leftovers.
Do not pass under washing lines or overhanging structures.
Do not walk beneath a banana tree of the Musa balbisiana variety.
Do not cross a single-plank bridge (larger bridges are allowed).
Do not sit on ceramic urns, especially cracked or broken ones.
Do not allow a woman to lie or sit on top of you.
Do not let a man be touched by a woman’s clothing, especially during menstruation.

Some masters add additional rules, such as:

Do not speak disrespectfully of your parents or your master (kru).
Do not commit evil or harmful deeds.
Disciples of the same master must not fight or compete with each other—they are to regard each other as family.
Avoid alcohol and drugs.
Do not boast of supernatural powers gained through yant or amulets.
Do not rely on the yant for protection if you intend to use it for harmful purposes.
Strive to uphold the Five Precepts of Buddhism.^[19]

Types and designs

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Khmer Unalome symbol.
Om written in Thai script.

There are thousands of traditional designs of yantra tattoos, but some of the most well-known and popular^{[citation needed]} include:

Ong Phra (Thai: 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.
Haw-taew (Thai: 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.
Gao-yord (Thai: 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 (Thai: สี่ยอด; translation: four spires) - to influence the feelings or actions of others and protect the bearer.
Paed-thit (Thai: 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 (Thai: สิบทิศ; translation: ten points) - a version of paet-thit, but protects in ten directions instead of eight.
Maha-niyom (Thai: 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 (Thai: ยอดมงกุฎ; translation: spired crown) - for good fortune and protection in battle. Round shape; typically tattooed on the top of the head.
Panchamukhi (Thai: ปัญจมุขี; translation: five Deva faces) - intended to ward off illness and danger.
Suea-koo (Thai: เสือคู่; translation: twin tiger) - typically depicts twin tigers. Symbolizes strength, fearlessness, and resilience.
Uṇālom (Thai: อุณาโลม; translation: urna, often left untranslated as "unalome") - the ūrṇā curl between the eyebrows of the Buddha. Variously described as representing the 'third eye', the path to nirvana, and the coil, line, and point of the syllable 'Om' written in Thai script.
Hanuman (Thai: หนุมาน; translation: monkey god) - Hanuman is revered for his ability to overcome obstacles and challenges, making the Hanuman Yantra a symbol of resilience and determination.^{[citation needed]}

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Locations

One of the most famous temples in the present day for yantra tattooing is Wat Bang Phra in Nakhon Chai Si District, Nakhon Pathom Province, Thailand. Ajaan Noo Kanpai, perhaps the most famous practitioner of sak yan in Thailand, trained here.
Sak Yant Chiang Mai, located in Chiang Mai Northern Thailand a co-op of 10 local Monks and Sak Yant Masters have been providing Sak Yant since 2017. Noted Masters include Ajarn Dang, Phra Aum who create Yantra in Pali, Lanna and Khom Thai.
Ashram Preservation Khmer SakYant is located in Siem Reap, Cambodia, the home of Angkor and the origin of Sak Yantra. Here they emphasize the depth and meaning behind the ancient Khmer practice.
Federation of Khmer Sak Yantra, also located in Siem Reap, Cambodia, where they blend the spiritual with technical skills.