What Type Of Monks Get Tattoos

Nosotros've known for years that if we always traveled to Thailand, nosotros would become traditional Sak Yant tattoos. I'm non sure how we first heard about these traditional Thai tattoos, but we were immediately intrigued. This was before nosotros knew Angelina Jolie has one and before Sak Yant tattoos became a chip of a fad (especially with travel bloggers.) I actually recollect about people thought we were crazy when we used to explain why we would want a Buddhist monk to hammer repeatedly into our peel with a bamboo rod…

So when nosotros finally embarked on our first trip to Thailand this year, getting an engagement for a Sak Yant tattoo was the very first thing to get on our travel itinerary.

You're not solitary if you've never heard of a Sak Yant Tattoo. Nosotros're always explaining to people what nosotros've got inked on our backs, and nosotros honey sharing near the sacred feel!

Sak translates to 'jab' and Yant to 'blest tattoo.'

Traditional Sak Yant Tattoos are ancient Buddhist designs and prayers that are etched into the skin past an expert monk using a long bamboo rod (now with a steel needle tip.) They date back thousands of years and are believed to offering various protections and blessings, depending on the design.

The Sak Yant Tattoos are typically performed by monks inside a Thai temple. These are by donation, but it tin can exist hard to detect monks willing to tattoo women as they aren't supposed to bear upon the contrary sex. Alternatively, Thai bamboo tattoos tin as well be given by an Arjan, or an ex-monk who is a Sak Yant Main. These will have a fixed fee and can likewise be performed with a tattoo gun. Typically it's easier to detect an Arjan willing to tattoo women.

We did a ton of inquiry. Subsequently all, this was something nosotros had wanted for years! There were a few things that were super important to us:

ane. That the experience was authentic. There are tons of touristy tattoo parlors that can do Thai designs, but for u.s., that defeated the entire purpose.

2. That the feel was intimate. Nosotros didn't want to wait in line for hours and then take to rush through the ceremony so the people behind us could get their turn.

three. That the experience was traditional. A typical bamboo rod, with a monk, in a temple, etc.

iv. That the experience was germ-free. Plain, we didn't want to come home from Thailand with an unwanted souvenir from dirty needles.

Ultimately nosotros decided to go through Chiang Mai Locals to become our Thai tattoos. Chiang Mai Locals was able to brand an appointment for united states of america with a monk at a small rural temple just outside of Chiang Mai—and it was at a location where they knew the quality (and sanitation) of the tattoos. This took all the worry out for us!

Nana was our fantastic host from Chiang Mai Locals. She met us at our hotel, accompanied us to the temple, translated the unabridged process, walked us through proper etiquette, and ultimately made certain that our experience getting a Sak Yant tattoo was even meliorate than we could have hoped!

As briefly mentioned higher up, it's not easy to find a monk willing to do the Sak Yant tattoos on a woman. In our case, it was non a problem every bit long as I was accompanied by a man also getting a Sak Yant tattoo and I didn't take any photos during the tattoo process.

When we arrived at the temple, the first step was to expect through the books of designs and cull the pattern we wanted.

We had heard that in some cases the monk would non permit you to choose the tattoo; rather, they read your aura and give the blessing they deem right for yous. However, our monk believes if you see a Sak Yant pattern that you lot desire, then it means that pattern is speaking to your soul, and therefore information technology's the right blessing for you.

I knew that I wanted the Hah Taew Yant, or 5 sacred lines. This is easily the most popular Sak Yant tattoo (and it's the one Jolie rocks.) Each line represents a Yant, or magical blessing. You can learn all about what each line means here, forth with the rules that back-trail the tattoo.

We don't know the name for Dan's tattoo. He told our monk from what he wanted protection, and then received a few suggestions on what magical blessing would be the best fit.

Oh yes. The bamboo needle definitely hurts more than than a traditional tattoo gun. However, information technology'due south pretty fast (mine took an hr), and it heals extremely apace. We had no blood, no scabbing or peeling, etc. The quality is supposed to final for a long time, so that'southward also adept. Though we were told the magic in the ink needs to be replenished each year—a good reason to become us back to Thailand!

Later on the monk had finished the tattooing, in that location was a brusk ceremony to bless the tattoos. This included chanting and gently hitting the tattoo again and once again. Nosotros so offered a donation to the monk for his time and magic.

Whether or not you believe in the magic of the tattoos, the experience of receiving a traditional Thai tattoo from a monk in a small-scale rural temple is ane that will stay with y'all forever—both physically and mentally.

i. Dress respectfully. Women should wear pants and embrace their shoulders.

2. Practice not bespeak your feet towards a monk or stand up above a monk as both are accounted disrespectful.

three. There is no fee for a Sak Yant tattoo from a monk in a temple. Still, do bring a donation. This is usually flowers, incense, candles and a pocket-sized monetary gift.

While information technology's very safe and hygienic, you should e'er keep an middle out for infection and your health in general, especially traveling overseas, CPOE.org has some great info to practise some self-diagnosing while yous travel.

If you're interested in getting a Sak Yant tattoo, nosotros highly recommend going through a local who tin guide you lot through the process and ensure that the monk or Arjan you choose is authentic and safe. Chiang Mai Locals was wonderful. We've likewise heard bang-up things about Where Sidewalks Stop.

You tin can too acquire more about Sak Yant Tattoos here.

We are thrilled with our Sak Yant tattoos and extremely grateful for the beautiful experience. It'southward not for everyone, but we have no regrets.

P.S. Nosotros were not guests or affiliates of Chiang Mai Locals.