In Thailand, a country with a culture deeply rooted in spirituality and superstition, tattoos are a lot more than just skin deep. Traditional Thai tattoos, known as Yantra tattoos are believed to have strong magical powers. People get them for protection and good luck. Popular with soldiers, policemen and members of Thailand’s underworld, the tattoos are said to have the power to stop bullets
and break knife blades. Thai culture has a complex mix of Hindu, Brahman, Animist and Buddhist traditions, and the Yantra tattoos incorporate most of these elements.   Although ingrained in Hindu culture, the tattoos, known in Thailand as “Sak Yant” are heavily influenced by the ancient Khmers’ form of Sanskrit which was renowned for its magical powers. Each year devotees pay their respects to tattoo masters in a special ceremony known as
Wai Khru (honor the teacher) or master day.
Believers come to show respect to both living and dead tattoo masters. Held once a year in March at Wat Bang Phra (a Buddhist temple 50 Km west of Bangkok where the late abbot, Luan Phor Pern was famous for his tattooing skills) the ceremony is quite a spectacle and the place to witness “Khong Khuen” (animal Spirit possession), when tattooed men are “possessed” by the spirit of their tattoos. | Back to Portfolio