A Storm of Quills

April 7, 2014

odditiesoflife:
Sak Yant - Sacred Magic Tattoos
Sak Yant, called the sacred magic tattoo or Buddhist tattoo, is an ancient type of Thai tattoo. When applied by a Buddhist Monk or Brahman Priest, the tattoo is said to confer mystical powers and protection on the wearer. It incorporates Buddhist prayers, called Mantras or Katas, that will invoke supernatural powers. Centuries ago, these magic spells were originally inscribed on pieces of cloth and Thai soldiers would wear Yant-printed jackets to offer them extra protection in battle.
Even today, many Thai men believe in their mystical powers, and have one or more tattoos inscribed on their bodies. There are stories of people wearing Sak Yant tattoos who were shot or involved in horrific car accidents from which tattoo bearers supposedly emerged unharmed.
The Sak Yant’s power of magic has been known to Thai people for hundreds of years, long before Buddhism came to Thailand. But Sak Yant has only recently become popular in the Western World, partly due to the publicity surrounding well known personalities receiving a Sak Yant tattoo.
photos © Cedric Arnold

(via balsiek)

9:21pm | URL: https://tmblr.co/Z0z8nt1CQRiOr

(Notes: 4,171)