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A Sak Yant is a magic tattoo which bestows mystical powers. This Sak Yant magic tattoo is normally given by a Buddhist Monk or Brahmin Priest but a Sak Yant can also be performed by a layman.
Yants came to Thailand via the Khmers long before Buddhism and these magic spells were originally inscribed onto cloth and were known as Pha Yants. Many Thai soldiers wore cloth jackets called Seua Yant, that were printed with a Yant to give protection in Battle. After the influx of Buddhism into Thailand it became common for these Yants to be inscribed or tattooed onto the skin. Today, you will see many Thai men with one or several of these Yant Tattoos. Thai people believe in the powers of a Yant and there are many stories of people being shot at close range and the bullets failed to pierce the skin or horrific car crashes where the wearer of a Yant was completely unharmed.
Traditionally, a Yant is tattooed using a long bamboo stick with a split sharpened point like a quill called a Mai Sak or alternatively a long metal spike known as a Khem Sak. There are many designs of Yant available, each chosen to give either protective powers or good luck in business or in love. Many of the designs are universal but the Mantras may differ according to the Tattooer.
Sak Yants, so popular in Thailand, have attracted the interest of people in many other parts of the world who come to Thailand to receive a Yant including such well known people as Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.
We are often asked by foreigners where they can get a Sak Yant. Unfortunately, in many cases it is just a desire to follow fashion and get an unusual mystical looking tattoo. If people do not believe in the power of a Yant and are not prepared to follow the rules of conduct that go with a Yant then they would be better just to go to a Tattoo Studio. Sadly, some of the Monks and Brahmin Priests are not completely blameless in this matter. The lure of money has meant that some of the “big names” in Sak Yant now charge $1000 US or more.
Sak Yant Designs
Sak Yant – Power of Magic
Sak Yant – Hanuman
Sak Yant – Hah Taew Five Sacred Lines Yant
Sak Yant – Gao Yord 9 Spires Yant
Sak Yant – Tiger
Sak Yant – Monkey Ling Lom
Sak Yant – Paed Tidt Eight Direction Yant
Sak Yant – Phra Narai Song Khrut
Sak Yant – Paed Dan Eight Sided Yant
Sak Yant – Ganesh
Sak Yant – Tong Maharat Great Flag
I have heard alot about these tattoos while I’ve been in Thailand. I’m just wondering how woman can get them? I mean in the traditional way, when a Monk does the tattoo. Monks aren’t allowed to touch woman and it would be inappropriate to expose your shoulders or other large areas of skin in a monk’s presence, so how would you arrange this as a woman wanting a Sak Yant? I know one could just go to a tattoo studio, but that isn’t really getting a Sak Yant is it? If it is not done traditionally, then it really isn’t the same thing.
This is a mute point. A buddhist Monk strictly speaking shouldn’t do anything that draws blood as indeed tattooing does. However, as with many other things in Thailand, the rules do get bent a little. There are several ex- Buddhist Monks who still do Sak Yant and another alternative is a Brahmin Priest. The Monk I know in Chiang Mai does do Sak Yants for women as long as the position is not too revealing. I’m not sure if this is common or not. I rather suspect that it is. You can certainly get the same Yant designs done in a Tattoo Studio but as you say, if you want the Yant for its protective powers then it is not an alternative. I know people who have done this and had it blessed afterwards by a Monk but I don’t believe it will be the same. If you are not a believer in the sacred powers of a Yant, you can still have a Yant applied in some Tattoo Studios using the traditional bamboo stick. I hope this helps.
Hi! Could you give me the name of the Monk in Chiang Mai? I’m currently in Thailand and would really like to get Sak Yant doen my a Monk with a bamboo. Do you know in which priceranges these tattoos usually are? Thnx so much!
Hi, i saw the sak yants and think they’re amazing, i was waondering how old you have to be to get one in thailand and the price ranges and if I do get one, then are there rules that have to be followed, thankyou
As far as I am aware there is no minimum age to get a tattoo in Thailand, though personally I think that it would be better if the person is old enough to make the decision for him/her self. Costs vary. Most of the Buddhist Monks who do Sak Yant ask only for a donation. This can vary between 1 or 2 hundred Baht to a few thousand Baht. As the Monks will tell you “its up to you”
Elsewhere costs vary enormously. A well known Brahmin Priest might charge 10-30 Thousand Baht but this is not common.
There are rules which have to be followed. These may include, alcohol and addictive substance abstinence, Respect for parents, avoidance of foul language etc. It is believed that if the rules of behaviour laid down by the Sak Yant master are not followed then the Yant’s powers will fail.
My husband and I got our gao yords in BKK last year. We found a tattooist who understood the spiritual importance of what we wanted (he wore the yant in an amulet around his neck) and also respected our desire for virgin needles. These are the first and only tattoos we have, and we definitely feel their power. We went directly to a shrine to pray and make offerings afterwards.Like any spiritual practice, my gao yord is only as good for me as I am for it. If I don’t feed it with prayer and mediation, it goes sullen on me. There are times I forget all about it, only to lift my hair for some reason and have someone comment. I’m glad I marked myself with my buddhist intentions, as they are far from fad.
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I was just wondering if you do get this done, are you allowed to drink or smoke after? how old do you have to be and if you get a sak yant in a normal tattoo studio, with bamboo needle, the powers will still work? I also heard that once you get this done, the Buddha will test you or something with an accident or some sort. Is it true?
i was also wondering if its ok if a women get it? What would happen if a women get it? My friends says it isnt good if a women get it, but i still wanted to hear from someone who actually knows.
Yes, you are normally allowed to smoke and drink after a Sak Yant, unless the Monk giving the Sak Yant makes abstinence a rule (unlikely) There is no legal age for getting a Sak Yant, however, and only in my own opinion, it would be preferable if the person getting the Yant is old enough to understand the significance of a Yant. Without a belief and understanding, the Yant would be worthless. A yant given in a normal tattoo studio is just an ordinary tattoo, albeit using a traditional design. It will have no other benefit.
I have never heard about any test.
Women can have a Sak Yant if they want although it can sometimes be difficult to find a Buddhist Monk who is willing to tattoo women. However, Brahmin Priests will have no problem about this.
Hey admin,
you are right; it’s hard to find monks want do sak yant for women.I want get my sak yant done by a monk..I’m a woman and do believe in the spirit meaning/magic.
Can you give me the address and details of the monk in chiang mai?I want pay him a visit to get my sak yant! Thanks much!
Although is is seemingly “allowed” to drink after receiving sak yant, in fact, it was originally laid out that the Yant will not have any power if you drink alcohol or intoxicants.
As peoples moral precepts got slacker in modern times, a blind eye was turned. But in fact, although Buddhism gives no orders or commandments as the Christians do, there are five precepts which are the minimum requirement for any practising Buddhist. In this sense, Buddhism does not differ from Islam in the sense that Alcohol is forbidden by the 5th precept. Anyone who does not keep the 5 precepts is not in fact a fully practicing Buddhist.
I mean you can get a Yant and be a thief or a murderer too.. but will the Yant be of any help if you dont even make an effort yourself?
Peopoe like to console themselves with the thought that they can recieve benefits without putting in any effort. The universe doesnt work that way it is all cause and effect.
So if you really want to make your yant work, then keep the precepts. In fact it was the rule of precept keeping which was the real original reason for making yant and amulets;
The Masters saw the common flok coming to the temples tomake offerings, but simply because they wanted good luck or fortune, or some protective magic. So the Masters saw that by giving devotees a gift of an amulet to wear, along with rules for wearing them, would cause the wearer to try to keep the 5 precepts of morality.
The people wanted protection and happiness, but the masters were wise and gave them a better protection than the one within the amulet or the yant;
They gave them the amulets and told the people to keep the precepts and rules.
This was because they knew that if a person keeps the 5 precepts (dont lie, steal, kill or harm others, be adulterous or perverse, or take intoxicants), then that person would have all the causes of happiness, luck and a better rebirth, and would not have the sufferings of wrong doing,speech or thought. This is the best protection a person could have.
So, if you want a Yant but don’t want to do anything to activate the good luck, then this is ignorance and selfish stupidity.
It is the precept keeping in respect for the Yant that makes the magic work, not the yant itself.
what about the tiger ferocity of the tiger yant? do you get that by keeping the precepts as well?
I am looking for temple do hanuman sakyant tattoo.Anyone who read this note. pls give me the address of the temple. thanks
Hi
you can get a Hanuman Sak Yant at Wat Nong Khem, in San Patong, Chiang Mai
http://www.thaiguidetothailand.com/magic-and-superstition/sak-yant-chiang-mai/
which is more painful ? normal tattoo or this? Can anyone describe the pain? want to know if its bearable?
Which temples give Sak Yant tattoos to woman? Please with address/city so I can plan my trip.
Can someone tell me what kind of rules that there is and also does the rules vary by monk to monk? I’m a very spiritual person can I still get a tattoo?
I would like a reccommendation on where to get a sak-yant in BKK. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Can someone tell me the adress of a monk or someone else who will be willing to make a Sak Yant tattoo on a woman? I am currently in Phuket so it would be nice to find a place here…
I would like to know whether I can get Sak Yant printed on cloth and done by Monk so that I can wear it for good lucka and to attract love.
Pls advise if there is such a thing in Hadyai or Southern Thailand
hELLO MY NAME IS CLAUDIA and in my recently trip to thailand i get a sak yant tatoo in ink name gao yord in the temple WAT BANG PHRA that is located about 1 hour drive from Bangkok. The temple opens early and is busy so is better arrive early, you must get some cigarrets and flowers that you can purchase in the Temple plus 200 baths as an offer.
You must wear apropiate clothes if u are a girl, and with that i mean not showing to much skin, and a extra jacket if is possible.
Make sure you enter the room with respect, without shoes, and with your head down and shoulders in meaning of reverance of the monks present.
Also make sure you know rhe name of the sak yant that you want a get and where you want it or where it supossed to go and show it to the monk. maybe is a good idea take with you the symbol somewhere like in a piece of paper and show him where you want the Sak Yant, as the monks dont speak english.
Or well you can maybe ask for a taxi driver, from a local taxi company that speak english to take you there and be your translator this will cost you about 1500 baths, trust me is a good deal.
The pain that you will experiment is really reasonable dont worry about it. Just try to keep your hands together like if you will pray, or you can hug yourself as well. The process is fast and efficient, you almost wont even bleed.
When the Sak Yant is done make sure you say Thank You. (ka pun ka)
You can get a Sak Yant tatoo in ink, if you are a girl, dont worry about it and go for it you wont regret the experience.
The temple is beautiful, and you can eat the best fried rice you ever tried in your life in there plus feed the fishes in the river.
Is such a wonderful experience, just do some research about the SAK YANT you wand and why?
Buddhism is such a beautiful wise and peaceful philosophy i reckon we all should get more in to it
Dont hesitate ask me for more info if you need it, i will do my best, and hope this clear some of your doubts.
WITH LOVE XX
Hello everyone,
I am going to be heading to Thailand for the second time early next year and am very interested in getting a sak yant tattoo however i am concerned naturally about hygene. When i visited a temple that was offering tattoos on my last trip the monk seemed to be using the same “needle” and ink for each person. Could someone please tell me somewhere i could visit and get one of these beautiful tattoos but a place that uses virgin ink and needles on each visitor.
I hope i have not offended anyone with my wording of this message, and if i have then i sincerely apologise.
Regards
James
The reason that the same needles are used is that these needles are usually made by the monks themselves and are not available commercially. Phra Ajarn Gamtorn in Chiang Mai is very aware of possible risks and employs the following methods to prevent disease.
His needles are sterilized in alcohol overnight (he uses up to about 1 dozen). Before each use the needles are wiped with alcohol and then flamed in alcohol for several minutes and then wiped with alcohol again. He uses disposable ink wells. He wears disposable gloves and uses tissue to wipe rather than a cloth. Anti-septic lotion is applied to the skin both before and after his work. 9am appointments (the first of the day) are best as the needles will have been sterilized overnight.
I am a female, and I have tried to learn as much about the Sak Yant tattoos as I can, I am very much a believer in their power, I have seen something where someone worked with the monks trying to learn from them, until they felt he was ready, then got a tattoo that they have chosen for him. Is this something that actually can happen? And if so, is it possible for a woman to do this?
re admin reply, comment 25. As Phra Ajarn Gamtorn has passed (may he rest in peace), can you suggest other someone else who has similar, good hygiene practices? Thank you
I have just had a Sak Yant tattoo done at Phuket Body Art in Phuket Town near the market and can recommend Wat .New needles are used and very good work.
Hi Hank
many thanks for the info. The only problem I have is that a tattoo done in a Tattoo Studio, even if it is a traditional Sak Yant design and done with the long needle or bamboo stick, is just another fashion tattoo. What makes a Sak Yant special is the blessings put on it by a Monk or Priest. Without that it is just an ordinary tattoo.
I’m going to Thailand at the end of 2011 and want to add to the query about where a woman can get a sak yant from a monk or brahmin. I read somewhere about a type of tattoo where the monk goes into a trance and draws your totem animal – this would be my ideal. Any suggestions for temples in Phuket?Thank you
Hello All,
Can you get Sak Yant’s everyday ? Also ill be travelling from BKK how much is a taxi? Ive also read it quite hard to get back from the temple afterwards
Many thanks
Hi all,
Just a few days ago, I was in Phuket. Didn’t plan on getting a tattoo and as it goes in sacred places like Thailand it chose me. I didn’t step into a tattoo shop planning to get one like I’d normally do. I just felt like I was meant to be there. I can’t explain it. The tattoo artist was amazing. My boyfriend speaks pretty fluent Thai and he explained to him how and what the tattoo meant when I asked about it after seeing it. I’ve seen them before on people and knew it was for protection. But somehow I just felt like I was meant to get it. No amount of words can explain it. Anyways, I know everyone talks about getting it done by monks, but truth be told, the real monks don’t touch women or take money. And the guy that did my tattoo is a really holy man who meditates for 4 hours a day and wouldn’t even touch my shoulders when we took a picture. He was really proper and explained that it all depends on the person. If you are a good person inside, you will have good Life but even with the tattoo as a bad person, you won’t be protected. I agree with that. People always think that just getting something to protect them can help them with the sins in Life but these people are not protected. It’s about who you are inside. So to me, yeah, maybe I could have gone to a temple, but I know I’m a good person, so getting it blessed and knowing it’s worth as it’s etched on my skin is enough for me. I welcome your comments. Many thanks and aloha!
Hi Admin,
I’ve planned to have my 1st sakyant at Wat Bang Phra. Can you suggest which monk is the best (few suggestions please)?
i heard that if u wanna get a sak yant for real you will have to be a monk for some period…is it true ?
No, zquan that’s not true. They are to be done by a Buddhist monk, though.
Hi,
To everyone who wishes to have sak yant my advice is its not as easy as what many people think, it is way beyond normal tattoo, i am exposed in spiritual things and i do have sakyant which is given by my GURU (teacher) as for many people who doesn’t know many ajarn (achan) or masters in thailand and some other parts of asia does sakyant to people, but recieving yant to a master has 2 choice they will ask you if you want to put the master’s logo (yant) and it will make you one of their KRU (CREWS) or just just do the yant that you like, this is not for fun recieving a yant is also mean giving your faith and believes, and most monks and ajarn n thailand chooses what kind of yant is suitable for you.
In thailand not many people have yant in their body as many thai monks and ajarn are strict they pick people as having sakyant is sacred.
Yes having sakyant may give you unbelievable powers you can be anyone as you wishes either good or bad as they believed in KARMA, also making the yant powerful is depends on the master that did for you and specially you as you will have several chants to recite everyday of your life.
And to those who wanna know if its painful, YES it is more painful than the normal tattoo by machine because they have to do it very slowly and deep as they are also chanting while doing cos some monks and ajarn will stop doing it and walk off if they see that you are in deep pain as they believe that its against your will nor unacceptable for you, so its best to think first before doing it and prepare fully make sure your reasons of recieving yant is reliable and you are willing to recieve the yant and it’s law, not because of other people say its lucky.
Law of sakyant is doing good deeds in return you will get luck in your life but if ever you mis-use or do bad things it will come back to you 3x harder than what you did.
Hope this help! Thanks
What will happen if you get one of these designs at a normal tattoo studio?
I know its hard to believe to actually fly to chiang mai, thailand to get a sacred tattoo from the monk there themselves. I actually live in america and its hard to find one here. It does cost alot of money but, I was wondering would it be ok to print it out then have a monk bless it then tattoo it on your body, after tattoo is completed. Have a monk bless it again? Just want to know that situation. I was a young priest before to take out alot of sins i had in me. Now from being married and having kids. I must believe in whats right to change my heart to become more for the kids. please do not reply to this message. i prefer email.
Hi can someone share any info regarding removal of yantra tattoos pls? I can’t find any on the net.
Dear Matt
Normally we do Sak Yant for some benefits such as luck, charm and power by our master magical spelling. If u do this kind of tattoo by some studios without master. U will get nothing but pain. for more info try this web, http://www.thaisakyant.tarad.com
Dear Belle, thx for a very good info for everyone here.
Dear Colby, sorry, ihave no idea.
@Kimberly J, it isn’t done by a monk. It’s done by a holy man who has been blessed, not a monk. So there is no issues with women getting the Sak Yant.
Hello my friends, I write from Spain. I would like to recive I sak yant tatoo but I can’t go to Thailand. I’ve been there two times but for those days I was not buddist. Now I am studing the budist religion and I am a beliver. I recived the three refuges and belive strongly in Buddha. I would like to recive a Sak Yant tattoo but I can’t go to the South east of Asia, do you know if I could recive the tattoo by some person in Spain who is not a monk? Do you know if this tatto protect me in the same way? Thanks for answering
Can you still smoke cigaretes after u get your sak yant without it losing its powers
Greatings,
Im coming to Thailand next month for three weeks to visit family and to vacation. I plan on staying in Bangkok and southern Thailand around the gulf. Im a buddist and i plan on getting several sak yants done here and there along the way. Is Wat Bang Phra flooded, and are there other temples or wats in Bangkok that tattoo or any towards Pattaya, Chanthaburi, or maybe even Hua Hin? Im thinking Ayutthaya and north is probably not going to be an option due to the flooding.
Many Thanks and Blessings
Jidee
@Lavi, where in Phuket did you have yourSak Yant done. As it sounds like the perfect place. I am heading to phuket in 8 days and I would love to get one done.
You help and reply is appreciated.
Marlenx
Hello, I was in Thailand 2 years ago and got my sak yant near Chiang Mai, amazing experience! Now I’m going back with my brother and he wants to get one as well but I’m not sure if we will be able to make it to the North. Can anybody tell me of any wats in the south that we can get sak yants? thank you
I was in Chiang Mai in May and received my Sak Yant from Tu Eak at Wat Mae Tao Hai He’s willing to give the tattoo to foreigners and the trip there shouldn’t cost you too much (it’s Chiang Mai, rent a motorbike or get a taxi to take you all day). I don’t think he will do women but I never asked. I couldn’t be happier with my design or the experience. I just wish I could go back and get a few more. To those asking about pain, I preferred the traditional method. Yeah it hurts but what do you expect? It’s a good hurt and you know that you’re experiencing something that is much bigger and older than yourself. Here’s a picture of my tattoo being blessed right after it was completed. Ignore my pasty white skin please.
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/5400/img1363tp.jpg
Alexandra,
There is someone in Samui who will perform a Sak Yant. I just got back in January and received mine on New Year’s day. What an experience. The monk is located near Lamai Beach. You will have to ask around for an exact location.
All of you that asked for price ranges obviously didn’t read the last paragraph of this page. A Yantra shouldn’t be something you pay for but so thing you believe in spiritually
I am leaving to Phuket in 10days, can can one please please let me know where can I get sak yant tattoo