News
Sak Yant: Sacred Tattoos of Thailand
- NameEva Rapoport
- Date16 Apr 2018
- CategoryICH News
![Ceremony participant believed to be possessed by his tiger tattoo. © Eva Rapoport](/upload/board/A112/thumb/sak-yant.jpg)
Before dawn people start gathering at the vast monastery compound. They sit on the ground facing the altar with the statue of Luang Phor Pern, a famous meditation monk renowned for his mastery of sacred tattoos. Temple monks begin a ceremony called Sak Yant Wai Kru in the morning though prior to this, peculiar occurrences take place. Some of the tattoo-bearers become possessed by their own images: of a warrior, an old man, a tiger, a crocodile, or Hanuman, a monkey demigod of Hindu mythology. All of a sudden they jump up yelling or roaring like animals and run toward the altar. Frenetic in their trance, they are held above the ground, their ears are rubbed or blown, which swiftly brings them back to their normal consciousness, then they do wai (Thai gesture of reverence; a bow with the palms pressed together), and peacefully return to their seats.
The tradition of writing protective tattoos has a long history in Southeast Asia. Sak yant, sacred geometrical designs tattooed by revered monks, in particular, is an old social practice that continuously reaffirms the heritage of Thailand.
QUICK MENU
QUICK MENU 원하시는 서비스를 클릭하세요!
There is no registered quick menu.