15 traditional designs
Sak Yant on Koh Phi Phi
Sak Yant are sacred Thai yantra tattoos: geometric designs, ancient Khom script and protective animals. Bus hand-pokes them with bamboo, the way they have always been made.
What is a Sak Yant?
Sak means to tap. Yant comes from yantra, a sacred diagram. A Sak Yant brings together geometry, protective animals and Buddhist prayers written in the ancient Khom script. Centuries ago, warriors wore them into battle for protection.
The tradition
- 01
The masters
Traditionally, a Sak Yant is given by a monk or an Ajarn, a master, with a long steel or bamboo needle.
- 02
The blessing
The master then blesses the yantra: he recites its prayer and blows it onto the skin. Some masters also give the wearer a few rules to live by.
- 03
Wai Khru
Every year, usually in March, thousands of devotees gather at Wat Bang Phra, near Bangkok, to honour their masters and renew the power of their yantra.
- 04
Placement
Above the waist, never on the feet. The higher the yantra, the more sacred it is: the Gao Yord sits at the top of the back or on the head.
At Bus Tattoo
You get the design itself, hand-poked with bamboo, with care and respect. There is no blessing ceremony at the shop: for that, visit a temple or an Ajarn.
15 traditional designs
The yantra and their meaning
Tattooed by Bus01Gao Yord · Nine Spires
ยันต์เก้ายอด
Nine spires for the nine peaks of the sacred Mount Meru and the virtues of the Buddha. The great yantra of protection and good fortune, often the first one people get.
Where · Top of the back
Tattooed by Bus02Hah Taew · Five Lines
ยันต์ห้าแถว
Five lines, five wishes: protection from harm and injustice, from bad luck, from dark magic, then success and charm.
Where · Shoulder blade
Illustration03Paed Tidt · Eight Directions
ยันต์แปดทิศ
Protection coming from all eight directions, wherever life takes you.
Where · Back or shoulder
Illustration04Unalome
อุณาโลม
The path to awakening: the spiral is the wandering of life, the straight line is clarity, the dots at the top are release.
Where · Nape, arm or back
- Tattooed by Bus05
Suea Koo · Twin Tigers
ยันต์เสือคู่
Two tigers facing each other: power, authority and protection from danger.
Where · Back
Illustration06Suea · Leaping Tiger
ยันต์เสือเผ่น
Courage and strength. The tiger is said to command respect and keep enemies away.
Where · Arm, chest or back
Tattooed by Bus07Hanuman
หนุมาน
The white monkey warrior of the Ramakien: courage, loyalty and the strength to win against the odds.
Where · Arm, shoulder or back
Tattooed by Bus08Chang · Elephant
ยันต์ช้าง
The elephant, and Erawan, the three-headed elephant of the god Indra: strength, success and steady power.
Where · Arm, shoulder or back
Tattooed by Bus09Jorakhe · Crocodile
ยันต์จระเข้
Protection, especially on and near the water, and fearless strength.
Where · Ribs, arm or back
Tattooed by Bus10Mang Mum · Spider
ยันต์แมงมุม
Its web catches good fortune: luck, wealth and the opportunities that come your way.
Where · Forearm or back
Illustration11Singha · Lion
ยันต์สิงห์
The lion of authority: leadership, charisma and respect.
Where · Arm, chest or back
Illustration12Krut · Garuda
ยันต์ครุฑ
The divine bird, mount of Vishnu and emblem of the Thai kingdom: power, protection and success.
Where · Back or chest
Illustration13Paya Nak · Naga
ยันต์พญานาค
The serpent king who guards the waters: wealth, abundance and protection.
Where · Arm or back
Illustration14Rahu Om Jan · Rahu
ยันต์ราหูอมจันทร์
Rahu swallowing the moon: protection from misfortune, turning bad luck into good.
Where · Back or arm
Illustration15Jing Jok · Gecko
ยันต์จิ้งจก
The house gecko, a sign of luck: good fortune, wealth and charm.
Where · Arm or shoulder
Questions
Good to know
Yes. Tell Bus what you want it to mean, or bring a design you like, and he helps you choose the right yantra and size.
Traditionally above the waist: the back, shoulder blades, arms or chest. Bus advises you on placement.
Yes. At Bus Tattoo every yantra is hand-poked with bamboo, the traditional method.
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