Getting a (real) Sak Yant Tattoo

What to know about Sak Yant tattoos

If you’re thinking about getting a Sak Yant tattoo, there are a few things you should know about them before being blessed with one.

What is a Sak Yant tattoo?

Sak Yants (‘sak’ meaning to tap or tattoo and ‘yant’ meaning yantra, being a geometric design) are tattoos containing blessings or magic from monks or ajarns (the difference being that the ajarns are retired monks and masters of Sak Yant tattoos).

Is getting a Sak Yant safe?

Provided the monk or ajarn is using a new ink pots and steel tips between giving each tattoo, there’s nothing more risky about getting a Sak Yant tattoo than any other tattoo. However, there are certain places that are known for being unclean (i.e. unsafe) to receive these tattoos. More on that below …

Can females get a Sak Yant?

It depends. Most monks will not tattoo females because of the rules of practising Buddhism which state monks are allowed to touch a female as long as it does not create lust. So you may find a monk who will wear gloves or otherwise a progressive monk who does not practice strictly.

As a female you can still attend a temple to receive a Sak Yant but you will likely be tattooed by an ajarn and the tattoo will be blessed by a monk.

Where can I put the Sak Yant on my body?

The yantras are incredibly spiritual, and as a result the Buddha or Master Yant’s images must be placed on the back, arms, and side of the body.

Again, depending on the monk or ajarn you receive your sak yant from, you may or may not get to choose the actual design or location. In any case, Sak Yants cannot be applied below the waist or around the breasts (exposing the area) on females. Certain designs can be applied to a man’s thigh.

How to get a Sak Yant

Firstly, you must provide an offering to the monk or ajarn as thanks for them providing you the Sak Yant and the power and magic that comes with it (known as a Wai Kru). It’s also a way to show respect for their practice and skills. The offering generally consists of incense, candles, flowers and/or money.

Then the monk or ajarn uses a bamboo rod with a steel tip (known as a kem) for providing the Sak Yant and will either chant their blessings into the Sak Yant trough out the entire process or they will say a brief prayer and blessing at the end when it’s completed. Depending on the size of the tattoo, it could take anywhere from 15 minutes to a few hours for the tattoo to be completed.

Can I get a Sak Yant tattoo from a tattoo parlour?

If you just want the visual aspect of the tattoos then sure you can get a replica of a Sak Yant tattoo. However, keep in mind that the person providing the tattoo won’t really know the meaning of the design as this is only known by monks and ajarns as part of their teachings and if you want to have the design blessed separately after you’ve received it, you won’t be able to do this. This means it’s not a Sak Yant tattoo.

Where to get a (real) Sak Yant tattoo

Best authentic experience: Where Side Walks End / Directly from monks or ajarns

Most affordable (and safe): Sak Yant Chang Mai

Most affordable (with questionable safety): Wat Bang Phra

1. Where Side Walks End

Where Side Walks End is a cultural tour company that aims to offer the most authentic and ethical experiences, including for receiving a Sak Yant tattoo.

As part of these tours, they provide transport to and from the location, the opportunity to discuss your tattoo with your ajarn in detail (as well as an interpreter so you get to experience the process deeply). What I love about this tour is that you have an opportunity to have a conversation with your monk or ajarn before receiving the tattoo so it is a much more personal experience.

Because of this, they do charge a little more than the average at US$250 but the tours are very highly rated and people have commented on how much more personal and spiritual the experience was compared to other places.

Just know if you’re wanting a large design, this will take more time and potentially cost more so make sure you reach out to them before booking so they can arrange for this.

They offer a few packages for different locations: Ayutthaya, Bangkok, Phuket and Chang Mai.

2. Sak Yant Chang Mai

Sak Yant Chang Mai offers two options to receive a Sak Yant tattoo. One is in-house at their location in the Old City of Chang Mai (costing ~ 2000 – 3500 baht per hour) and the other is at a temple (costing ~ 2000 baht per hour + 500 baht for larger designs and/or per extra Sak Yant if you get more than one).

The in-house option is a pretty similar experience to a tattoo parlour. There’s a book of designs you can choose from (if you haven’t already chosen), the staff speak English so can help provide translations and then you go into the holy room where the monk or ajarn will be seated waiting to give you your Sak Yant. The tattoo happens, the blessing is given and then it’s all done. This was the way I received my tattoo and I definitely found it to be an emotional experience personally but I do think I would have preferred to do the tour with Where Side Walks End as my experience didn’t allow me an opportunity to have a conversation with my ajarn about my life, values and desires for them to suggest a design that would be the most powerful for me.

The temple option means you’re taken to a remote temple in the Chang Mai countryside to receive your Sak Yant from a monk. If you’re a female, you can still receive your tattoo here as they will have an ajarn provide the tattoo, and a monk will provide separately provide the blessing. Of course since you’re going to a temple, make sure you dress appropriately. This means no exposed shoulders, mid riffs, or knees (for men and women).

3. Wat Bang Phra Temple

This is probably the most famous (and cheapest) place to get a Sak Yant tattoo in Thailand, but possibly not the safest. The cost is around 200 baht to both buy the offering for the monk or ajarn or monk and also provide the mandatory offering to the temple.

Wat Bang Phra temple is about 60 minutes north of Bangkok, best accessed by a taxi or Grab (the Uber or Lyft of Asia) as it’s a little too far for the tuk tuks. Aim to arrive before 7.30am and wait a few hours. Of course, remember that you’re expected to wear modest clothing meaning no exposed shoulders, mid riffs, or knees (for men and women).

You’ll need to buy an offering just outside of the temple, usually some incense, candles and cigarettes and a small monetary donation. Then you’ll go to the entrance, take your shoes off and wait for your turn to be tattooed by the monk. Here, you won’t be able to choose the design or placement of the tattoo and there’s no changing of the steel needle or ink pot in between each person so hygiene is definitely a risk.

If you’re more comfortable going with a tour, there’s a few options:

Get Your Guide (~ AUD$150): this includes round trip transfers, an English speaking tour guide, the fee for the tattoo and the offering.
Forever Vacation (~ AUD$150): this has the same inclusions as the Get Your Guide tour but it also includes lunch and a few additional stops at a local market in Bank Chak and a tul tuk ride to Wat Dhammamongkol.

4. Directly from monks / ajarns

In addition to the templates and studios above, there are also other monks and ajars that practice on their own and have their own studios. You just reach out to them directly on their whatsapp, website or instagram) depending on where they’re based. Of course, you should always do your own research to make sure you understand the way the monk / ajarn practices and ensure you can have the tattoo and experience you’re after.

If you’re in Bangkok, A Chefs Tour has very helpfully listed out the details for a number of ajarns who you can contact.

Are you thinking about a Sak Yant tattoo or have gotten one? I’d love to hear from you, leave a comment below!