Traditional Thai Sak Yant Designs and Meanings - Sakyant.info

Traditional Thai Sak Yant Designs and Meanings

Learn the meanings of Sak Yant designs as explained by Sak Yant Masters. Discovering these meanings afterward can be challenging for various reasons. This article covers some common Sak Yant tattoo meanings and their designs.

Why Understanding Sak Yant Tattoo Meanings is Challenging

Sak Tattoo Rules

Sak Yant Masters spend years mastering magical languages to grasp Sak Yant tattoo meanings. Authentic Sak Yants use a basic design template, customized by the Master to fit the individual's desires. This is why you can't get a genuine Sak Yant from an artist who merely copies online designs. You don't want unintended meanings like addiction recovery or increased potency unless intended.

Reasons for Difficulty

  1. Communication with the Master
    Understanding Sak Yant designs requires years of training in magical languages and symbolism. It's hard for a Master to explain this, especially with language barriers. Ensure an English-speaking Master (rare) or bring a Thai speaker.

  2. Translating Magical Concepts
    The complex magical concepts behind Sak Yant designs are tough to translate. The required depth of knowledge makes it hard for a Master to convey these ideas clearly without a common language.

  3. Different Lineages and Styles
    Various Sak Yant traditions have unique designs and meanings. Masters often specialize in their lineage, making it hard to interpret tattoos from other traditions. Even minor text or design changes can alter the meaning, adding to the complexity.

Understanding these factors highlights why learning the true meanings of Sak Yant tattoos is complex.

Comprehensive Guide to Sak Yant Designs, Meanings, and Costs

Transparent Pricing at Sak Yant Chiang Mai

Many tattoo shops and Sak Yant providers use a double pricing system and often do not display their costs. At Sak Yant Chiang Mai, we believe in transparency.

Here, you can explore our catalog of standard Sak Yant designs, including the time required and the cost for each design, whether you choose our In-House or Temple Visit services.

Our detailed guide includes the meanings and costs for over 300 Sak Yant designs, ensuring you have all the information you need to make an informed decision.

Understanding Sak Yant Tattoo Meanings

Contrary to popular belief, Monks and Sak Yant Ajarns don’t always choose your design for you; this usually happens if you're unprepared to choose. You can discuss options with them, but ultimately, you can decide on the Sak Yant design you want. After all, this tattoo will last a lifetime.

You can also request the placement of the Sak Yant on your body. However, some Yantra designs have specific placement rules and must be positioned in certain areas.

Getting Your First Sak Yant Tattoo Design

For your first Sak Yant, you'll likely choose one of the Master Yants, which offer a wide range of blessings that cover most people's desires. The most common designs are:

  1. Hah Taew (Five Line)
  2. Gao Yord (Buddha Peaks)
  3. Paed Tidt (8 Direction)

These designs are universal and all-encompassing, making them ideal for beginners. More complex designs, like animals and sacred geometry, are reserved for serious and dedicated believers. For most Westerners getting their first Sak Yant, these three designs are the go-to choices.

The Sak Yant Tattoo Designs and Meaning

The Hah Taew Sak Yant Design and Meaning

The Hah Taew Sak Yant (5 lines) traces its origins back over 700 years to the ancient Kingdom of Lanna, now Northern Thailand. The Buddhist monk Kruba Kam of Wat Ton Pin, a now non-existent temple in Chiang Mai, is credited with its creation around the time King Mengrai founded Chiang Mai in 1296.

Over the centuries, the original 5 lines of script, written in Khom (an ancient Khmer language), have undergone changes. Recently, some Sak Yant Ajarns have entirely replaced the original script with their own versions.

Original Hah Taew Script (Transcribed):

  1. i ra cha ka ta ra sa
  2. ti hang ja toh loh ti nang
  3. soh ma na ga ri tah toh
  4. pi sam lah loh pu sa pu
  5. ka pu bam too tahm wa ka

Hah Taew Sak Yant Blessings:

  1. First Line: Prevents unjust punishment, favors you in ambiguous situations, cleans out unwanted spirits, and protects your home.
  2. Second Line: Reverses and protects against bad horoscopes and misfortune.
  3. Third Line: Shields you from black magic and curses.
  4. Fourth Line: Enhances good luck, success, and future ambitions.
  5. Fifth Line: Increases charisma and attraction to the opposite sex, boosting the effects of the fourth line.

 

Chat Phet | Grao Paetch Diamond Armor Sak Yant

Diamond Armor Sak Yant Tattoo Meaning

The Chat Phet Sak Yant design, also known as Grao Paetch or Diamond Armor, features five interconnected diamond shapes (Phet), symbolizing spiritual armor (Chet).

Symbolism and Meaning

  • Spiritual Armor: Represents an impenetrable shield providing protection from physical harm, danger, and negative energy.
  • Five Diamonds: Symbolize the protective powers of the five Buddha families: Akshobhya, Amitabha, Vairocana, Ratnasambhava, and Amoghasiddhi.

Integration with Other Sak Yant Designs

The Hah Chet Phet Sak Yant often complements the 5 Line Sak Yant, balancing both symbolism and appearance. Typically, one design is placed on each shoulder with another Sak Yant in the middle.

Attributes of the Wearer

The Diamond Armor Sak Yant signifies courage, resilience, and protection, embodying the wearer's strength and resolve. It is believed to grant the wearer abilities to overcome life's challenges and adversities, acting as a spiritual shield.

 

Gao Yord Sak Yant Tattoo: Meaning and Blessings

The 9 Peaks of Buddha Sak Yant

The Gao Yord is known as the “Yant Kru” or Master Yant, revered for its extensive protective powers. It is one of the most significant Sak Yant designs, often chosen as a first tattoo due to its universal protection.

Symbolism and Design

  • Nine Peaks: Represents Mount Meru, the mythical mountain of the Gods in Hindu and Buddhist mythology.
  • Three Ovals: Symbolize the Lord Buddha, a common element in many Sak Yant designs.
  • Nine Buddhas: Each peak represents a Buddha bestowing special powers or spells.
  • Magic Box: Contains small squares with abbreviations (in Khom script) of protection spells.

Blessings of the Gao Yord

  1. Protection from Evil Spirits and Black Magic: Shields the wearer from harmful entities and curses.
  2. Maeta Ma Hah Niyom: Enhances loving kindness and compassion from others, boosting popularity and preferential treatment.
  3. Klaeoklad: Prevents serious injury.
  4. Chana Satru: Grants the ability to defeat enemies.
  5. Ma Hah Amnat: Bestows power, authority, and control over others.
  6. Awk Seuk: Instills a willingness to fight for loyalty and justice.
  7. Kong Kra Phan: Provides magical protection and invincibility.
  8. Oopatae: Ensures success and smooth operation in business and endeavors.
  9. Ma Hah Saneh: Increases charm and attractiveness to the opposite sex.

 

Paed Tidt Sak Yant Tattoo: Meaning and Blessings

The 8 Direction Sak Yant

The Paed Tidt Sak Yant, also known as the Eight Direction Yant, features a sacred geometric design with eight Mantras in two concentric circles and representations of eight Buddhas.

Symbolism and Design

  • Eight Mantras: Written in ancient Khmer script (Khom) within two concentric circles.
  • Eight Buddhas: Represented by groups of three increasing ovals, symbolizing protection in all directions.

Itipiso Eight Directions

The Itipiso Eight Directions is a variation of the Paed Tidt design, invoking gods for protection in all directions, ensuring invincibility and safety from dangers.

Blessings of the Paed Tidt

  1. Protection in All Directions: Shields the wearer from harm while traveling.
  2. Ward Off Evil Spirits: Provides spiritual protection during journeys.
  3. Mantras for Directions: Specific chants for each direction enhance protection:
    • East: I Ra Cha Ka Tha Ra Saa
    • Southeast: Thi Hang Ja Thoe Roe Thi Nang
    • South: Bi Sam Ra Loe Bu Sath Put
    • Southwest: Soe Maa Na Ga Ri Taa Toe
    • West: Pa Sam Sam Wi Sa Tae Pa
    • Northwest: Ka Put Ban Tuu Tam Wa Ka
    • North: Waa Toe Noe A Ma Ma Waa
    • Northeast: A Wich Su Nuch Saa Nu Thi

The Heart of Ithibisoe Mantra (Kata) is: A Sang Wi Su Loe Bu Sa Pu Pa

 

Hanuman Sak Yant Tattoo: Symbolism and Benefits

Hanuman is the Hindu Monkey God, known for his invincibility and superhuman abilities, including flight. In Thai culture, Hanuman leads a monkey army to banish evil spirits. He symbolizes humility, bravery, and hope, showing that mortals can transcend worldly limitations.

Key Features

  • Protection and Fearlessness: Provides protection from danger and fearlessness in adversity.
  • Self-Confidence and Influence: Boosts self-confidence and can influence others on the wearer's behalf.
  • Focus and Determination: Enhances focus and determination for success.

Blessings of the Hanuman Sak Yant

  1. Maeta Ma Hah Niyom: Increases kindness and compassion from others, improving popularity and preferential treatment.
  2. Klaeoklad: Prevents serious injury from accidents.
  3. Chana Satru: Grants the ability to defeat enemies.
  4. Ma Hah Amnat: Bestows power, authority, and control over others.
  5. Awk Seuk: Instills a willingness to fight for loyalty and justice.
  6. Kong Kra Phan: Provides magical protection and invincibility.

 

Twin Tiger Sak Yant Tattoo: Meaning and Significance

Key Features

  • Symbolism: Represents power, strength, protection, and authority.
  • Popular With: Thai people in dangerous jobs, Muay Thai fighters, military personnel, police, businessmen, and politicians.
  • Business Benefits: Helps in business dealings, providing strength and mental resolve for success.

Summary

The Twin Tiger Sak Yant tattoo symbolizes enhanced power and authority, making it a popular choice for those seeking strength and protection in both personal and professional life.

 

Suea Hiaw Lang (Looking Back Tiger) Sak Yant Tattoo: Meaning and Significance

Key Features

  • Symbolism: Protection from behind, representing the tiger's stealth, speed, and power.
  • Attributes: Suitable for people with authority, respect, and compassion.
  • Business Benefits: Aids in business negotiations, managing employees, finances, and enhances communication skills.

Summary

The Suea Hiaw Lang (Looking Back Tiger) Sak Yant tattoo symbolizes protection, authority, and compassion. It's ideal for respected individuals who use their power responsibly, providing benefits in business and leadership roles.

 

Golden Nana Thong YantraKey Features

Have obstacles hindered your path? Have you earned money but failed to save it? Have your efforts yielded little reward?

Use the Golden Naga Tong to enhance your charm, elevate your aura, and attract positive energy, making you beloved and supported by others.

This Sak Yant design, derived from the ancient deity Phra Lak, not only attracts wealth but also helps you retain it, ensuring both earnings and savings.(The owner of this website got Naga Tong and highly recommends it, as it brought remarkable career success and rapid advancement in real life.)

 

Soy Sung Warn (Necklace) Sak Yant Tattoo: Meaning and Significance

Key Features

  • Symbolism: Represents invulnerability, especially against weapons.
  • Attributes: Designed like a necklace, believed to protect the wearer from harm, particularly blows to the neck.
  • Historical Use: Worn by ancient warriors across their chest for protection.
  • Popularity: Favored by soldiers and Muay Thai fighters.

Summary

The Soy Sung Warn (Necklace) Sak Yant tattoo symbolizes invulnerability and protection from weapons. Historically worn by warriors, it remains popular among soldiers and Muay Thai fighters for its reputed protective powers.

 

Hong Ku (Golden Swan) Sak Yant Tattoo

Key Features

  • Symbolism: Represents charm, popularity, observational powers, self-sacrifice, and kindness.
  • Attributes: Inspired by a traditional tale of the Lord Buddha in a past life as a Golden Swan, revered by other birds.
  • Mythology: The Golden Swan's self-sacrifice to save others highlights bravery and unselfishness.

Summary

The Hong Ku (Golden Swan) Sak Yant tattoo symbolizes charm, popularity, keen observation, and virtues of self-sacrifice and kindness. It draws inspiration from the tale of the Buddha as a Golden Swan, emphasizing leadership and altruism.

 

Phra Rahu Ohm Chan (Moon Eater) Sak Yant Tattoo: Meaning and Significance

Key Features

  • Symbolism: Represents protection, dispelling bad luck, and turning misfortune into good fortune.
  • Attributes: Derived from Hinduism and Buddhism, Rahu is seen as an asura with a black half-body, often depicted swallowing the sun or moon.
  • Beliefs: In Thai culture, Rahu is associated with bad luck and undesirable events but also provides protection against harm and danger.

Summary

The Phra Rahu Ohm Chan (Moon Eater) Sak Yant tattoo symbolizes protection and the ability to dispel bad luck, turning negative situations into positive ones. Rahu, depicted as swallowing the sun or moon, offers a shield against dangers and supports one's destiny.

 

Prachao Ha Praong (5 Blessings of Buddha) Sak Yant Tattoo: Meaning and Significance

Key Features

  • Symbolism: Represents good luck, happiness, well-being, and protection from bad spirits.
  • Attributes: Known as “The 5 Blessings of Buddha,” chanted as ‘Na-Mo-Put-Ta-Ya’.
  • Significance: Considered a fundamental Yant ("Yant Kru") in Sak Yant practice, used in Buddhist meditation and representations.

Summary

The Prachao Ha Praong (5 Blessings of Buddha) Sak Yant tattoo symbolizes good luck, happiness, well-being, and protection. This fundamental Yant, chanted as ‘Na-Mo-Put-Ta-Ya’, is integral to Sak Yant disciples and Buddhist practices.

 

Jorakhae (Crocodile) Sak Yant Tattoo: Meaning and Significance

Key Features

  • Symbolism: Represents strength, power, and endurance.
  • Attributes: Known for its ancient lineage and tough skin, offering protection from physical dangers.
  • Popularity: Favored by individuals in risky occupations such as police, armed forces, and firefighters.

Summary

The Jorakhae (Crocodile) Sak Yant tattoo symbolizes strength, power, and resilience. With its tough skin, it provides great protection against physical harm, making it popular among those in high-risk professions.

 

Mangkorn (Dragon) Sak Yant Tattoo: Meaning and Significance

Key Features

  • Symbolism: Represents power, protection, and good fortune.
  • Attributes: Known for its mythical fire-breathing abilities, symbolizing destructive force against enemies.
  • Popularity: Favored by military personnel and government officials for its protective and fortune-bringing qualities.

Summary

The Mangkorn (Dragon) Sak Yant tattoo symbolizes power, protection from physical harm and negative influences, and good fortune. Its mythical strength makes it popular among those in authoritative and protective roles.

 

Dtao Ruen (Turtle) Sak Yant Tattoo: Meaning and Significance

Key Features

  • Symbolism: Represents wealth, prosperity, good luck, long life, and emotional healing.
  • Attributes: Associated with the earth element, patience, navigation, and healing. Embodies female attributes like patience, boundary respect, and disease healing.
  • Popularity: Revered for its physical protection, independence, tenacity, and non-violent defense.

Summary

The Dtao Ruen (Turtle) Sak Yant tattoo symbolizes wealth, prosperity, good luck, and a long life. Connected to the earth element and embodying patience and healing, it offers emotional relief and physical protection, making it a revered symbol in various traditions.

 

Payamee (Bear) Sak Yant Tattoo: Meaning and Significance

Key Features

  • Symbolism: Represents protection, power, invincibility, and strength.
  • Attributes: Embodies the powerful virtues of Buddha.
  • Benefits: Grants strength, motivates perseverance, and helps overcome obstacles.

Summary

The Payamee (Bear) Sak Yant tattoo symbolizes protection, power, and invincibility. Imbued with the virtues of Buddha, it provides strength and motivation, helping the wearer to push forward and overcome life's obstacles.

 

Takarb (Centipede) Sak Yant Tattoo: Meaning and Significance

Key Features

  • Symbolism: Represents practicality, sensibility, balance, invulnerability, and protection.
  • Attributes: Long body and many legs symbolize protection.
    • Moustaches: Apperception.
    • Tails: Patience.
    • Canines: Conscience.
    • Eyes: Gratefulness.
  • Virtues: Balance, coordination, stress endurance, and graceful movements.

Summary

The Takarb (Centipede) Sak Yant tattoo symbolizes practicality, sensibility, balance, and protection. With attributes like patience, conscience, and gratefulness, the centipede's design offers invulnerability and protection, helping the wearer avoid danger and harm while maintaining balance and grace.

 

Plali (Eel) Sak Yant Tattoo: Meaning and Significance

Key Features

  • Symbolism: Represents kindness, luck, business success, popularity, mercy, and charm.
  • Attributes: Smooth flow and movement of the eel symbolize smooth navigation through life.
  • Virtues: Brings good fortune, success in endeavors, and protection against enemies.

Summary

The Plali (Eel) Sak Yant tattoo symbolizes kindness, luck, and success. It brings business success, popularity, and charm, helping the wearer navigate life smoothly and achieve great power, ensuring that enemies cannot defeat them.

 

Fortified Nine-Tailed Fox Spirit Yantra

Nine-Tailed Fox Spirit is often used in Female Sak Yant tattoos, especially favored by women working in nightlife in Thailand.
It symbolizes charm, influential benefactors, and romantic luck. This sutra enhances one's allure and attractiveness, making it ideal for those seeking to attract wealth through relationships and unconventional means.
This yantra has a special feminine allure, and you hardly ever see men with it. They say that getting the Nine-Tailed Fox Spirit Sutra tattoo can even make your eyes more captivating.

For more information about Female Special Sak Yant tattoo, click Female Sak Yant Designs to learn more.

For more information about Sak Yant tattoo, including origins, history, designs and the meanings behind each patterns, taboos, and the divine energy and incantations, click Sakyant.info to learn more.

Souce from own experience and Wikipedia Google Scholar BBC Medium Sak Yant Tattoo in Thailand: All You Need to Know Before You Go – wayward wayfarer

Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.