Sak yant tattoo in Wat Bang Phra

This video shows myself in the process of getting a "sak yant" tattoo at the world famous temple Wat Bang Phra outside of Bangkok in the Nakhon Pathon province. This is one of the oldest forms of tattooing in the world and an authentic sak yant tattoo can only be given by a qualified Buddhist monk. The whole process involves several rituals that have to be adhered to culminating in the monk blessing the tattoo whilst the recipient holds their hands in the Buddhist prayer position. Then the offerings and gifts that form part of the payment for the tattoo are given to the monk.

These tattoos are revered by Thai people and they are extremely superstitious about them, believing that each tattoo gives its owner specific powers depending on which one you have chosen. These powers are usually ones that protect you from accidents or life threatening incidents such as car crashes and stabbings. Each tattoo has a different story and meaning behind it as well as rules of abstention in order to keep the power of the tattoo strong. Thai people believe that if the rules are not adhered to then the owner will lose the power of the tattoo, or in some cases go crazy due to possession of spirits.

The tattoo I am in the middle of getting is a "song suea" or "two tigers" tattoo that apparently gives its owner the strength of a tiger and is popular amongst Muay Thai boxers. The tattoo on my right shoulder blade is a "gao yard" or "nine peak" tattoo that is the most popular sak yant tattoo and the one that most people usually get first. The gao yard tattoo is usually placed right in the middle of the shoulder blades beneath the neck but I couldn't have mine placed there as I already have another tattoo as can be seen. The gao yard gives overall protection to its owner over many types of life threatening accidents as well as bringing you good luck and is very popular with politicians, mafia members and high profile businessmen in Thailand. Whilst receiving the tattoo I appear to be in pain and that is because I was. I'm no stranger to tattooing but this was the most painful one I have had so far. The needle hurts much more than a standard tattoo gun.

For more information visit:

http://www.sak-yant.com

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Entertainment

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• yant
• tattoo
• wat
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• phra