People have been decorating their bodies since ancient times, and initially tattoos were used as protective drawings and amulets on the body. Symbols could only be applied to the skin. Each tattoo meant belonging to a caste or a certain circle of people. It was the pectoral symbolism that served as an identifier and told interesting facts about the owner.
Thai tattoos carry a spiritual connotation and are filled with deep sacred meaning and faith. The basis of them are yantras.
Magic and mysticism
Thai tattoos differ from other symbols not only in the many details and additional elements of the same sign, but also in their energy fullness and magical meaning. Yantras are energy constructions that depict through the words of a deity or a certain stream of energy. You can fill the tattoo made with force in the process of meditation or relaxation.
In the period when the soul goes beyond the framework of the body and wanders in the flows of the mind, the symbol connects to the higher energy and begins to feed the whole body. Due to this value, yantras were originally applied to monks and believers.
Yang means retention, it is that which is attached to the material world. The concept is associated with the power of thought and the embodiment of the desired. In the modern world, this would be motivation with practical action.
Tra means going out of everyday life to the spiritual renounced level. Together, yantra is a combination of opposites that move a person throughout life.
Body marks
Thai tattoos have a rich history and many ways of expression. The combination of different semantic images allows you to create a new meaning. This is a kind of man’s prayer, his ability to carry his temple with him. It is practically impossible to decipher all the symbols and present their meaning in combination with others, because each combination can have different interpretations and fullness.
Bindu is a compressed form of energy, it means the person’s inner world, the circle, on the contrary, indicates the expansion and exit of this energy from the source. Thai tattoos can have combinations of characters with the opposite meaning.
The circle denotes the Universe, that which man strives for, that he wants to know. Often other symbols are entered into the circle, which means a continuous connection with the Higher Forces and spiritual knowledge. If the lotus petals are depicted in a circle, then this is a reflection of the real world with its 8 aspects:
- akasha;
- air;
- Fire;
- water;
- land;
- mind;
- understanding of the highest essence;
- higher mind, or consciousness.
These are eight basic worlds, in each of which a person can stay for as long as he sees fit. Modern masters interpret this as a place of reincarnation.
Geometry based
Often, Thai-style tattoos contain other symbols and signs. Mostly geometric shapes are used. The circles depicted on the lotus petals can mean the time limitations of life or its three forms:
- Past. What a person experienced and what gave him the necessary experience to continue his life's journey.
- The present. His masters are distinguished by a large ring or other color, since the physical spirit of a person is here.
- Future. This is the striving of energy and the direction of desires into space.
The image of a triangle directed with an acute angle upwards means the desire to know yourself and your essence in the world. This tattoo is done by people related to spiritual practices and teachings. The original meaning of the symbol was the personification of male energy and an inexhaustible source of strength. The element that accompanied the symbol was considered fire.
The downward triangle symbolized the feminine, and its element was water as the beginning of a new life. Star of David - a static balance of two energies, help in the implementation of the plan.
The nine-pointed star is a direct indication of the nine energies in the human life cycle. Three upward-pointing triangles mean three energies:
- creating;
- preserving;
- destructive.
The three qualities of the universe are connected with the three rings of time. Another geometric figure that is often used in tattoos is a square. An external symbol means practicality and success in everyday affairs. The square represents stability and hardness, the strength of the earth and the four cardinal points.
Lines in characters
The use of simple lines not only helps to create a smooth transition between different characters, but also adds meaning and enhances the meaning of already applied characters. In sketches of Thai tattoos, different types of lines are often found.
Horizontal means inactivity and static. They can be used when moving from different elements or to create a balance between activity and relaxation. It is also sustainability in decision making.
Vertical lines indicate the activity of a person and his desire to develop. This is an indication of the movement of life and its instability, constant changes.
Three layers of the line symbolize three states of matter: solid, liquid and gaseous. In this style of signs, not only spiritual and material aspects are intertwined, but also the foundations of the sciences and the beliefs of man in the Higher Forces.
The value of the ancient image
Thai Sak Yant tattoo was made in ancient times to soldiers who wanted to protect themselves from fatal wounds and defeat in battle. After drawing on the skin, the shaman spoke up so that magical power never leaves a person.
Sacred drawings can not only protect against problems or bad situations in life, but also help, for example, attract success. But, done wrong, a tattoo can also cause trouble. Thai Sak Yant tattoo in the process of execution requires a full exposure to the magic ritual.
Before starting the procedure, it is necessary to determine for yourself those goals that the tattoo should help achieve, be sure to discuss this with the master, telling about your aspirations and desires. For a particular person, individual patterns are selected. This is done by the master. No need to transfer other people's sketches or symbols to your body. Even a combination can carry in itself the wrong energy that will help in life.
Thai monks can make Sak tattoos. They possess the secret of reading signs and drawing up semantic constructions for the transfer of certain knowledge and communication with the Higher Forces.
Buddhist monks can only make such a tattoo to males. Tattoo artists can apply a pattern to women's skin, but this is strictly forbidden to monks. Prayers that are encrypted in tattoos are called Kata or mantra. The meaning of Thai Sak Yant tattoos can vary depending on which mantra is encrypted in the designs and how it can be read.
Execution technology
Tattooing is now different from the way it was done before. Modern craftsmen use a bamboo stick or a steel rod with a sharp end. The sticks are reusable and are used after treatment with alcohol. There are no other methods of disinfection.
Although they are used for work several times, the sticks themselves are considered unique and prayers are read in Sanskrit over each. The master can complete the order for several minutes or for the whole day, depending on the complexity of the drawing and its parameters.
As for pigments, only black is used. In tattoo parlors, these symbols can make multi-colored, but the original options are performed in only one tone.
For application, the day and the mood of the person are important. If he is dissatisfied with something or is in a bad mood, then most likely they will not get a tattoo.
Modern tradition
Although photos of Thai tattoos can be seen in the public domain, few people are interested in what these symbols mean. Mostly tourists perceive local residents with such symbols on their bodies as just interesting people, not trying to understand the essence of their tattoos.
If we talk about the interpretation, then each semantic design can change its meaning depending on the presence of additional elements. Thai tattoos and their meaning for a long time were hidden from others due to the narrow range of applications.
At first, only monks and warriors inflicted such symbolism on themselves. The fame of tattoos of this culture began to increase with the appearance on the body of actors and stars of world scale entire series with letters. Now Thai tattoos and their meaning are an integral part of the development of the art of decorating the body with symbols around the world.
Sacred symbols are used in various human activities, from creative professions to sports. In combat sports, it is believed that the symbols will help to win and defeat the enemy. Photos in Thai boxing tattoos can be found quite often. Well-known boxers adorned their bodies for protection and motivation to win.
Application Places
Each person has their own preferences in terms of choosing the area on the body where you want to apply a tattoo. But since Thai symbols are sacred and have a magical meaning, the masters advise making them where they will not be visible to prying eyes.
The ideal place is the back. There is enough space here to apply all symbols evenly and accurately, and the body will be covered by clothes from others. When you need to show vitality and endurance, activity in making an important decision, the symbol will help faster if you put it on the chest near the heart.
Masters consider this place powerful in terms of energy, so you need to take this step deliberately. Tattoos in Thai boxing are applied to the arms and legs, these are places of strength and activity of a person, meaning movement. Of course, the symbolism is also selected here appropriate.
Monks and people of faith put elements of the sacred texts on the palms and phalanges of the fingers. This activates the spiritual principle of a person and stimulates self-knowledge.
How to avoid mistakes
Magic tattoo only comes into effect when made in a certain period by a real master. You can not combine several different tattoos in one plot. Sometimes you can find drawings with letters and additions borrowed from Eastern culture.
This negatively affects the symbol depicted and does not allow the tattoo to begin to act. Also, incomplete tattoos should not be worn on the skin. Motives can begin to influence in the reverse order, that is, instead of positive energy, bring destruction and negativity to life.
When choosing a place for tuning, you need to understand that its meaning, the activity of influence will depend on the application area. Do not make sacred elements in a conspicuous place or immediately put another symbol with the same meaning near one symbol.
About Thai tattoos, their meaning photos will not tell. It’s not enough just to see the beautiful plot and do it yourself. It is necessary to study in detail all the components of the motive, find out the meaning, and only then apply it to the body of a trusted master. It is advisable to make such tattoos directly in the country where it is popular with a monk or a person who is spiritually tuned to such work and can convey the desired meaning in the drawing.
As for color pigments, this also needs to be discarded. If we are talking about a prayer symbol, then the colors can activate it either not enough or too dynamically, from which the owner may suffer.
The original color for Sak Yant is black pigment and the instrument is a bamboo or steel stick. Only in such a way the applied symbol can bring to life all the necessary and desired things.
One tattoo can not change your whole life, but can bring to it those qualities and virtues that will inspire a person to great achievements and the manifestation of activity.
Tattoo Care
As for practical care, there are many important points that should not be missed. Masters advise immediately after the tattoo is done to close the skin with a special bandage for several hours. This will help protect injured skin from air and dirt.
Do not forget about the importance of disinfection and constantly process the place of tattooing with special means. Do not remove the crust from the surface, this can lead to scarring and the appearance of scars on the surface. It is advisable to lubricate the place of the tattoo with Vaseline in front of the bath or shower, this will help protect the drawing from moisture and soaking the skin.
Masters advise not to engage in physical activity after a tattoo appears on the body. Soft tissues will be injured, and an extra load can lead to the onset of the inflammatory process. It is advisable for several weeks to refuse to visit the gym.
Sunbathing with a fresh tattoo is also a bad idea, as the pigment and the pattern itself may suffer. Masters advise several weeks that the healing process will last, behave carefully and try not to harm the skin.
If you didn’t like the tattoo, or over time there was a desire to supplement it with other elements, then you can injure this area again only a few months after the scarring process is completed. To accelerate tissue regeneration, special ointments or creams can be used. They are sold in pharmacies.
The care of the tattoo in the future is also important, so that it looks beautiful and stylish. The area needs to be treated with a cream to soften the skin, but do not buy moisturizing or nourishing. The use of simple tips will help not only enjoy a high-quality result, but also significantly accelerate the healing process.