Traditional Sak Yant tattoos are hand-etched onto the skin using ancient geometric designs mixed with Buddhist prayers. They are believed to give the wearer magic powers associated with healing, luck, strength, and protection against evil.
Sak Yant tattoos have been around for over 2000 years.
Buddhist monks originally engraved Sak Yant into warriors seeking protection and strength in battle. Originally, only men were allowed to get the Buddhist tattoo, women were excluded from it. No machines are used to create a Sak Yant design. These traditional Thai tattoos are engraved into the skin with a long metal spike or bamboo sharpened to a point.
The needle is dipped into ink and repeatedly jabbed through your flesh by hand.
Monks will often choose a sacred design, as well as the location of your tattoo based on your aura. The best place in Thailand to receive a Sak Yant tattoo is a Buddhist temple called Wat Bang Phra.
It’s located about 40 minutes West of Bangkok.
For hundreds of years, the temple has been a pilgrimage site for Thai people wanting to receive the protection of a magic tattoo, inspiring them to travel long distances.
It’s also home to the most famous Sak Yant practicing monk in Thailand, Master Luang Pi Nunn. At the temple, an initial offering must be bought for THB 20-30. The tattoo itself is free, but an additional donation is expected.
