สักยันต์ – Sak Yant
Sak means “to tap” or tattoo, Yant comes from the Sanskrit word Yantra which literally translates to “machine” but in reality yantras are symbols which represent the divine.
Sak Yant designs are found all over Asia and surrounding countries, with many having their own script or variation in design. Thailand is a spiritual country and traditional Sak Yant designs are very popular, both for their design and their magical properties.
These designs have specific placement on the body. For example as a general rule, most Sak Yant designs are placed above the waist, however some designs can be placed lower than this. We will be going through the most popular designs in our blog and explaining them in further detail for you.
Always do your research before choosing a Sak Yant design as designs shown on Google Images, Pinterest etc can often have incorrect translation or have been tattooed inaccurately by a tattoo artist who cannot read the language. At Thai Ink Tattoo Studio, the owner Fune has intimate knowledge of both the modern Thai language and the ancient language seen on some Sak Yant designs, which means he will be able to assist you in getting the perfect Sak Yant design without error. Researching Sak Yant designs will also allow you to choose the ones best suited to you, complement each other, and bring you the best luck and magic.
You can choose your design by yourself if you know which design you would like. Alternatively you can visit the studio in person or email ahead with the type of power you require from your tattoo, and we can talk through some styles with you to best compliment you.
Once you’ve chosen your design, you can choose to have it applied by tattoo machine, or by the traditional method of hand-poking. Hand-poked styles usually heal much quicker than tattoo machine and aren’t as painful as you may think. Obviously there is going to be a certain level of discomfort with any tattoo, but there isn’t necessarily any more with a hand-poked tattoo.
In our studio, the method of application as well as the blessing is very much in keeping with a traditional Sak Yant design from Thailand, however our needles are all applied on the day of your visit and are discarded after your session. They are NOT cleaned to be used again – they are all single use. Our artists also wear appropriate PPE and gloves for the duration of your appointment.
When your tattoo has been completed, you will receive a blessing which will give power to your tattoo, as well as gold leaf application and a modern wrapping. You will be taught a mantra to repeat which helps you connect to your tattoo, as well as some dos and don’ts which will help keep the power of your tattoo. There are some rules you must follow if you want your tattoo to retain its power. Don’t lie, don’t disrespect elders, and don’t commit adultery.
