My latest research on Thailand has led me to (possibly/probably) my next tattoo. I’ve been thinking about my next tattoo for awhile now, even before reading about these magical ones. I am doubly superstitious, coming from both an Asian and a Pacific Islander background, so getting one of these tattoos seems almost more fitting than anything else I could get!
Sak yant are the “magical” bamboo tattoos given by monks in Thailand, although they supposedly originated with the Khmer people in Cambodia. Since Buddhist monks are held in such high esteem and because they are said to possess such power, certain ones tattoo these sak yant tattoos on believers at certain temples. They are called bamboo tattoos because they are done with either a metal/steel spike or with a piece of sharpened bamboo rather than a regular tattoo needle. Each monk has his own special ink blend as well, some said to contain snake venom, charcoal or skin parts of other master monk tattooers. An offering is to be made to the monk, who decides whether you’re ready to receive a sak yant tattoo or not. If he accepts you, then he reads your aura which helps him to decide which tattoo design you will receive and where it will be placed on your body. Apparently, sak yant tattoos are never placed anywhere below your waist. Since monks are not allowed to “touch” women, they either wear gloves or put a piece of paper between their hands and the woman’s skin when tattooing a female. Once the tattoo is finished, the monk will blow on it to imbue it with his magic and protection. Then there are rules associated with that tattoo in order for it to protect you – some very specific things (i.e. read the attached article!).
The most famous temple to receive a sak yant tattoo from is at Wat Bang Phra, 40 or 50 kilometers (?) outside of Bangkok. They say, in lieu of a taxi, to catch a 6:00 a.m. bus at Victory Monument, which takes you somewhere close to the temple. At that spot, by some bridge, guys will be on motorcycles to drive you the rest of the way, about another half an hour or so. The ride in the early morning is part of the experience. When you arrive at the temple, you buy flowers and cigarettes for an offering ($1-$5), then wait (sometimes for hours) to see if the monk will tattoo you.
I read several accounts of those who have received such tattoos. Most said that they are more painful than regular tattoos; one man likened it to being attacked by bees! Others said that it didn’t hurt as much as they had expected it to. While being more painful, they often take less time than a regular tattoo.
I have several tattoos, most of which are on my back, 99% of which are Asian- or Polynesian-inspired. My one tattoo that is NOT Asian- or Polynesian-inspired is a fleur-de-lys. It’s French-inspired because it was a gift from my ex-husband, who’s French! I wanted most of my tattoos to be on my back because they say one often regrets getting tattoos when they’re able to see them all the time. My other reason for preferring my tattoos on my back is because I’m deathly afraid of needles and do NOT like to see the needle while the work is being done. In fact, I still break out in a sweat just hearing the SOUND of the tattoo needle before it’s even put to my skin!
Getting back to the sak yant tattoo, I’m hoping to be able to get one while I’m in Thailand in October. Although I want the most authentic experience, which would probably be by the master (in the attached video) at Wat Bang Phra, I worry about the hygiene. It’s been said that possibly 10 needles are switched out throughout the day, but are used to tattoo everyone. They are either wiped down with alcohol or sit in a jar of alcohol for about 30 minutes, more or less, before being used again. The same ink is used to tattoo everyone as well, which means that other people’s blood could get mixed in with the ink. Using the spike or sharpened bamboo (they say) lessens the chance of infection because there are no “holes” in them like regular tattoo needles, whatever that means. I also read somewhere that you can ask the monk for a fresh needle. While I’d prefer both a fresh needle and fresh ink, I wouldn’t want to offend the monk.
There are other options for getting that tattoo. They can be done by a normal tattoo artist in a regular tattoo shop, who will use the metal spike or sharpened bamboo, blow on the tattoo and chant the mantra as well. It’s just that they won’t be a real monk. I want the fairy dust (i.e. power) from a real monk. My other option involves getting a sak yant tattoo at another temple in Bangkok, where the monk sterilizes his equipment after every use and, I believe, uses fresh ink on every person. The cost will undoubtedly be greater, but I’d rather have the peace of mind. Or at least that’s what I say right now!
Here’s both a video and an article to give you an idea of what I’ve already begun mentally preparing myself for.
Magical Tattoos and Elephant Trainers