Welcome to the world of Sak Yant tattooing. This is absolutely not the modern standard of a conventional tattoo experience! There is no way that you’re going to get a tattoo of this style in just any parlour: Sak Yant tattoos are understood as best performed in their ‘traditional’ manner
– a complex, patchy, debatable, esoteric and exotic mixture of ritual, application, magic and spirituality. They are the product of fusions of Hindi, Buddhist and even Shamanist beliefs; Only Buddhist monks and priests may perform them.
They are even best performed at temples, the most famous of which is “Wat Bang Phra” temple in Thailand. They were adapted and influenced by the Yantra designs of India, and some elements are thought to date back to Angkor times, between 802 and 1431 AD. They are geometrical always, in design and in placement on the body. Inextricably woven with the myths and legends of Buddhist culture, Sak Yant symbols are composed of two elements, a geometric pattern called a Yoan & a Vedic chant, called a Muon. These are written using ancient Khmer or Pali scripts.
The relationship between tattooer and tattooed is not one of convention: for a truly authentic Sak Yant tattoo, it is understood that they are in a master and disciple relationship. The tattooed subject will take away lifelong lessons from his master. There are some important parts of philosophy to understand: there is the prevalent concept that physical actions influence the spiritual world, which is why the tattoo is to be performed. Continuity, too, is important, an awareness from past through to present: a newly tattooed disciple now has a connection to the very first practitioners of the art, who lived thousands of years ago.
A master tattooist of the Sak Yant tattoo will not tattoo just anybody, either. The symbols the master uses, copied from his masters, are always close at hand for reference, and are always specifically chosen to fit the disciple’s personality.
Most tattoos are very specific in their design, power and symbolism. One gives immunity from arrows - bullets, in the modern context - another bestows invisibility should one’s weapon be lost. A further design, “na,” prevents the wearer being crushed by elephants. There is even a design that improves gamblers luck. It is also believed protective tattoos give the ability to predict misfortune. A common muon is associated with Hakhnuman (monkey god of strength and loyalty, also known as Hanuman). It makes Hakhnuman, the son of the winds, the disciple’s ally, enhancing his agility and strength. This muon is an example of religious assimilation, as the three syllable Hindu muon also represents the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha (the three aspects of Thervarda Buddhism).
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To apply the tattoo, the master (tattooer) must first use cotton thread and ink to mark out the boundaries of the design. Only the back may be tattooed. The needle tattooing itself it is, in the hands of the renowned experts, a smooth, effortless motion, almost too quick to see. The process stops only when the disciple changes position, or when the master must clean off the blood and sweat. The name itself holds connotations of the process - “Sak” – to ‘tap’ or ‘tattoo’ and “Yant” – meaning ‘Yantra’ Tattooer/Tattooed.
The black ink used gradually becomes blue under the skin. In the past, it was mixed with the bile of snakes, frogs, bears and courageous enemies, as well as alcohol, used for sterilization. The traditional tattooist’s needle is identical to the pen used to write ancient manuscripts – some will now use a hypodermic needle, however, although it is controversial. Using easier technologies is thought by many to reduce a tattoo’s potency.
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Connotations of spiritual and physical self-protection have made Sak Yant particularly popular amongst modern military personnel, and they have been popular with warriors for centuries. Stories of the truth of their power abound: apparently, King Jayarvarman VII was said to be magically protected by his ink "in such away that even knives and arrows hitting his body could not wound him."
They are allegedly perfect charms if properly applied – although there are many conditions attached for ‘perfect’ Sak Yang! Newly tattooed subjects may not talk to a person for three days and three nights after they have been tattooed; they must also adhere to the Buddhist precepts of abstaining from murder, stealing, cheating, drunkenness and lust. In addition it’s not advisable to excessively prideful or arrogant – breaking out with any of these habits will mean the power of your tattoo is lost, and you might even go mad as a result.
During the process of tattooing, the disciple takes the meditation position; his right leg over his left, his right hand over his left. The disciple must repeat in his mind the muon which being tattooed on his body, distracting him from pain, as well as strengthening the charms.
Also, straight after a tattoo is finished, it is consecrated: the master and disciple will light five candles and five sticks of incense, which represent the five incarnations of the Buddha. A silver container full of water has petals, incense, perfume and betel leaves sprinkled into it. This water is then splashed across the newly tattooed disciple, in a ritual akin to a Christian ‘baptism’ – it is meant to cleanse, and is thought to be based on the ceremonial baths of ancient Angkorean kings.
There are mixed feelings about their rising popularity in Western culture, propelled into popular conscience by such inked-up celebrities as Angelina Jolie. Fear that they will become the next transient ‘thing’ and end up an empty aesthetic is more than understandable: therefore, if you’re thinking seriously about getting ink in this style, do your homework properly – and please don’t succumb to copying a piece of flash design from the net and getting it done in a western parlour.
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