Sak Yant Tattoo in Thailand: All You Need to Know Before You Go

The moment I learnt about Sak Yant tattoo Thailand while researching for my trip, I knew this was something I’d be interested in. As a tattoo enthusiast and a spiritual seeker, this aligned with my interests perfectly. And just as fate would have it, I met Ian of Where Sidewalks End at a conference in Phuket and that sealed the deal!

Where Sidewalks End is a travel company that offers unique, cultural and immersive tours around the world that you are unlikely to find anywhere else. They partner with locals directly to make a positive impact on the local economy through responsible tourism. Everything I love!

View all Where Sidwalks End Experiences in Thailand

I feel Sak Yant tattoos also make for great souvenirs from Thailand! So here is everything you need to know about getting a Sak Yant tattoo in Thailand:

What is a Sak Yant Tattoo?

A Sak Yant, also known as a Yantra tattoo or the Thailand bamboo tattoo, is a traditional form of permanent tattooing that originated in Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. The term “Sak Yant” translates to “sacred tattoo” or “blessed tattoo” in Thai. “Yantra” is a Sanskrit word for a geometric design used in Tantric practices and rituals of worship.

Sak Yant tattoo Thailand is applied using a traditional hand-poke method by a qualified Ajarn or tattoo master (your Thailand tattoo artist if you may). The term Ajarn is used in Thailand and Laos which translates to “teacher” or “professor”. The Sak Yant process is considered to be a sacred ritual, and it is often accompanied by chanting prayers and Thai monk blessing.

Traditionally, the Sak Yant tattoo needles are carved out of bamboo and the ink is made using natural ingredients like charcoal, oils and herbs. However, keeping hygiene issues in mind, most Ajarns are now switching to industrial grade steel needles for safer practice.

What Does a Sak Yant Mean?

Sak Yant tattoos Thailand are deeply rooted in spiritual traditions, particularly Buddhism and animism. They are believed to offer blessings, protection from harm, and bring good luck. The Sak Yant tattoo Thailand meaning can be very personal to the wearer. It can be a symbol of their beliefs, a reminder of a goal, or a source of strength.

There is a common myth/ rumour going around that the Ajarn or monk chooses a tattoo for you depending on your “aura” but that is simply untrue. Before starting the tattooing process, you usually consult your Ajrn about where you are in life, where you want to be, and what you want this tattoo to mean to you. Based on this discussion, the Ajarn chooses a design for you with various symbols that mean different things.

Common Sak Yant Designs

Each Sak Yant tattoo Thailand design incorporates intricate geometric patterns like unalome, Sak Yant animals (e.g., tigers for strength, elephants for good luck), deity figures, and sometimes Pali script inscriptions. The specific meaning of a Sak Yant depends on the combination of these elements.

There are many different Sak Yant Thai tattoo designs and meanings. Some of the most popular designs for your Thailand tattoo ideas include:

• Ha Thao (Five Lines): Sak Yant Hah Taew or Ha Thao is said to bring good luck and fortune. It consists of five horizontal lines, usually tattooed on the back of the neck.
• Gao Yord (Nine Spires): This Sak Yant tattoo design is believed to increase strength and courage. It depicts the nine peaks of Mount Meru, a mythical mountain in Hindu and Buddhist cosmology.
• Hah Taew (Five Elements): This design is said to improve charm and attractiveness. It incorporates five vertical lines and geometric shapes representing the five elements: earth, air, fire, water, and wind.
• Chakras: These designs represent the seven chakras, which are energy centres in the body according to Hinduism and Tantric Buddhism. Each chakra is believed to govern different aspects of physical and mental well-being.
• Cin Cin (Rhino): This design depicts a rhinoceros and is believed to increase protection and ward off evil spirits.
• Hanuman: The Sak Yant Thai Hanuman tattoo features the monkey god from the Hindu epic Ramayana. Hanuman is known for his strength, loyalty, and perseverance, and the tattoo is believed to imbue the wearer with these qualities.

Where to Get a Sak Yant in Thailand

There are several places where you can get a Sak Yant in Thailand. However, I’ve noticed that most of these places are usually in the North of Thailand in areas like Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Bangkok and Ayutthaya. These are not your regular Thailand tattoo shops, but temples or dedicated Sak Yant studios. Here is where to get a Sak Yant tattoo in Bangkok:

Temples in Bangkok

There are several temples across Bangkok which are known for monks doing Sak Yant tattoo in Thailand. These are done free of cost, purely on a donation basis. Whereas, some charge money but the cost is almost negligible.

The most popular Sak Tant tattoo Thailand temple is the Wat Bang Phra Temple in Bangkok.

However, these are known to be super crowded and touristy experiences and potentially unhygienic too. The same needle and ink bucket are used for everyone. This puts you at risk for Sak Yant infection and contracting diseases like AIDS or hepatitis and it’s a big no for me!

There are also reports of people having to wait anywhere between 2 to 4 hours for their Sak Yant tattoo Thailand. Most Sak Yant tattoo Thailand monks in the temples also do not know how to speak English so the entire process is pretty much lost on you.

You don’t get to communicate what you want your Sak Yant to mean to you, and so a design is mostly chosen at random. Hence, the “aura” rumours!

Still want to get a Sak Yant at a temple? Consider booking this Holy Tattoo Experience at Wat Bang Phra tour which includes an English speaking guide and hotel transfer.

But I will always recommend getting a Sak Yant tattoo Thailand at an Ajarn studio. Here’s why:

Ajarn Samnak or Studios via Where Sidewalks Ends

Many Ajarns have their own “samnak” or studios around Thailand – especially in cities like Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai and Chaing Rai. These are definitely better than a temple, especially when booking the Where Sidewalks End Sak Yant experience like I did.

The Sak Yant Experience with Where Sidewalks End partners with progressive Ajarns who are happy to tattoo men and women alike (some ajarns don’t). Their samnaks are clean and hygienic places with fresh needles and fresh inkpots for every tattoo (unlike the communal needles and inkpots used in temples). Safe Sak Yant tattoos for the win!

The WSE experience also includes lunch, hotel transfers and an English speaking guide so you can make the most out of this experience. I highly recommend booking through WSE so you not only come out with a tattoo, but also richer for the authentic Sak Yant experience.

The Process of Getting a Sak Yant Tattoo in Thailand

Since transfers are included in the WSE Ink Experience, I expected the usual taxi/ minivan to come pick me up. But instead, my guide Mon took me from my hotel to Ajarn Neng’s samnak via Bangkok’s public transport! We took a combination of Bangkok’s super cool water taxi and a short ride on the metro to get here. It was a lovely touch for a truly authentic Sak Yant.

Book the Sak Yant Experience with Ajarn Neng!

Once at the samnak, we did a small prayer and lit incense at the shrine in the courtyard to get the process started of my Sak Yant tattoo Thailand. I was then given a basket of offerings for the Ajarn which consisted of flowers, incense and cigarettes (yes, cigarettes!)

Inside, I did my Sak Yant consultation with the Ajarn through Mon, my guide and translator. I told him about my then mental health struggles and that I wanted something to remind me to continue to power through the other side.

Ajarn Neng then drew up a Sak Yant for me which included an unalome signifying life’s curvy and winding journey towards ultimate enlightenment; a symbol for the Buddha for divine guidance; the “etti” symbol for success in all that I seek; and Pali symbols for inner strength.

The Sak Yant was shown to me for approval and once I indicated that I was (very) happy with the design, the actual tattooing process started.

But first, a prayer.

The Ajarn’s assistants held my skin tight and Ajern Neng started the tattoo process. Since I’ve already gotten tattoos before – both hand poke and machine, I barely felt any pain in this one. Throughout the tattooing process, Ajarn Neng was chanting prayers which made the whole experience a lot less stressful.

If you’re wondering how long does a Sak Yant tattoo take, in 15 minutes I was done! This was definitely the fastest tattoo I’ve ever gotten done and I was really impressed by the Ajarn’s efficiency!

In the end, Ajarn Neng also blessed my Sak Yant with a gold leaf: a kind of spiritual blessing on the symbol so it actually works for you.

Is it Safe to Get a Sak Yant?

If you book your Sak Yant tattoo Thailand experience through Where Sidewalks End, I can tell you confidently that it is indeed safe to get a Sak Yant.

At temples… it’s best to make that judgement for yourself. If it were me, I wouldn’t get a tattoo at a temple because of the communal, ink pots and tattoo needles.

Trust Where Sidewalks End for the safest and best Sak Yant tattoo Thailand experience!

Rules and Etiquettes of Sak Yant Tattoos

You don’t need to overthink the process and just be respectful like you would in a temple. Still, here are some Sak Yant tattoo rules Thailand you’ll want to keep in mind while getting to Sak Yant tattoo Thailand:

Dress modestly: Temples and samnaks are considered holy places. You’ll need to dress modestly and to wear something that covers your shoulders and knees for appropriate Sak Yant tattoo etiquette. For women, a button down shirt might be best as it is easy to wear front side back while getting a tattoo done on the back.

Sak Yant location: It is usually okay to choose the location of your Sak Yant and have it approved by the Ajarn or monk. However, unless it’s a specific type of Sak Yant, it is generally not okay to get one below the waist.

Be respectful: Most importantly, be respectful of the process even if you believe that it’s “just another tattoo on your body”. It is still a sacred process in Thailand and other cultures so it’s better not to make fun of what you don’t understand.

So when are you getting your Sak Yant tattoo in Thailand?