Sak Yant Tattoo: A Journey 15 Years In The Making

More than 15 years ago, while flipping through TV channels (back when that was still a thing), I stumbled upon a brief but unforgettable video clip—just a couple of minutes of raw, mesmerizing chaos. It was footage from the Sak Yant Wai Kru ceremony at Wat Bang Phra, a temple just outside Bangkok.

Sak Yant is an ancient form of Thai sacred tattooing that blends intricate geometric designs, Buddhist mantras, and animist symbols—each believed to offer protection, strength, or good fortune. Wai Kru is a traditional Thai ritual where students pay respect to their teachers (ajarns) to show gratitude and receive blessings for wisdom and success. Combine the two at a sacred temple with over 10,000 followers in trance-like states, and you get an experience like no other.

Years later, I found myself in Thailand. That brief video memory resurfaced, leading me to Wat Bang Phra to witness the Wai Kru ceremony firsthand. The experience was so powerful that I returned eight years in a row, captivated by the spiritual energy and devotion surrounding the tradition.

Eventually, I knew I wanted a Sak Yant of my own.

A week before Songkran, the Thai New Year, I met my guide on a warm, stuffy morning. A taxi carried us through the sluggish Sukhumvit traffic, where glittering skyscrapers gave way to everyday local life of the Khlong Toei neighborhood. We exited the taxi and ambled under an overpass, weaving through the narrow, Sois until we reached the Samnak—the sacred room where Sak Yants are given.

A bundle of kittens purred nearby as I slid open the doors to reveal a sparse, yet spiritually rich room filled with Sak Yant imagery, statues of the ajarns, and protective yantras.

Inside, I met Ajarn Ya, dressed in simple white, with a gentle smile and a calm presence. A fourth-generation Sak Yant master, his lineage stretches back to his great-grandfather. With my guide and translator, Khun Nong, we discussed the purpose behind the Sak Yant I was seeking.

Before the consultation, I presented the traditional offering: incense, flowers, and 500 baht bill. I shared that I wished to honor my forefathers.

Though he had books filled with designs, Ajarn Ya instead reached for a blank sheet of paper. Within moments, he created a custom yantra just for me—rooted in my intent and tradition.

Ajarn Ya prepared fresh ink and a metal Khem Sak, the modern version of the traditional bamboo tool. My arm rested on a stack of pillows as he drew the yantra with pen and ruler. Then he began—precise, fluid movements as he dipped and tapped, dipped and tapped.

With near-mechanical focus, he traced the design freehand, pausing only to re-ink the tool. The process took just 15 minutes and brought only slight discomfort. When the final stroke was done, he pressed a piece of gold leaf onto the tattoo and grasped my hands in prayer, offering a final blessing.

I left the Samnak, a moment that will stay with me for life.

Want Your Own Sak Yant?

I worked with Where Sidewalks End (WSE)—the pioneer in helping visitors receive authentic Sak Yant tattoos in a respectful and meaningful way. Since 2011, they’ve been connecting travelers with trusted Ajarns across Thailand. Meet Ajarn Ya and get your own Sak Yant tattoo. Or check out other ajarns from Phuket to Chiang Mai.

👉 Learn everything you need to know:
Sak Yant FAQ – Where Sidewalks End