glad to help, stone.

what's an invisible tattoo ?

It's when the tattoo artist needles in the yantra using sesame oil instead of ink. The oil doesn't colour the skin at all but the needling does raise red welts for a day or two. After that the tattoo is 'invisible' but still performing its magic, or so it's believed.

It's mainly women who ask for the oil tattoos but some men ask for them as well. The monks at Wat Bang Phra also do them. They're done on the arms and back, just like ink tattoos, but at Wat Bang Phra I've also seen the monks applying oil tattoos to women's tongues and foreheads, two places you would never normally see an ink sak yan.

Interestingly, the first time I visited Aj Noo's place there were around 10 monks sitting around in the same room. They weren't getting tattoos, not sure why they were there (perhaps they had performed a ritual before I arrived). When I asked if it was OK to take photos, Aj Noo's disciples said it was fine as long as I didn't get any of the monks in the pictures.

is there any things that you cant do after you have the sacred yan done? heard of many things that you cant do after after the yan tattoo...

Depends on the recommendations of the tattoo master and of course the willingness of the tattoo-ee to follow instructions. Aj Noo gives his clients a set of katha to chant every morning. Some masters tell their clients that if they don't follow Buddhism's five precepts closely, their tattoos will lose power as well.

The ramifications for a man's sex life are many-fold. Women generally aren't supposed to touch a man's sak yan (some say it's OK if they request permission first), or position themselves above a man's tattoos (again, for some, advance permission may waive this).

tatoos are every body but i dont think u should play with what u don tunderstand its not just a tatoo i mean im telling u to not do it if u wana do it then go for it but dont go and think of it as just a tatoo if your gonna do it then listen to the intructions carefully have fun

for somebody that know's so much to refer to a thai tatoo as "magical" u should kno better then that! no disrespect

ALSO STONE COLD IF U WANT ONE WHY ARE TRYING TO GO TO THESE BIG NAME TEMPLES AND NOT A ORDNARY TEMPLE NOT ALL TEMPLES TAT. NOT ALL TEMPLES
"SAK LINE" BUT ALOT DO U DONT HAVE TO GO TO ALL THESE PLACES WHERE TOURIST GO ANY AJAN CAN SAC ALSO DONT DRINK THE NIGHT BEFOREU GO OR THEY WONT DO IT ALSO DOESNT HAVE TO BE A FAMOUS AJAN EITHER WHAT U WANT IS THE TATTO RIGHT?

haha, thanks for the advice first and foremost, but when i try to find out abt sak yant, wat bang phra and arjan Noo are the two famous names that stood out...So it isnt really to decide who to go to in the end...

What term would you use, halfbreed?

anyone know who ajarn noo's ajarn was. i was taking a motorcycle a couple of weeks ago, and noticed the diver was tattooed from head to toe, so i got talking to him and it turns out his ajarn was the student of my ajarn, ajarn kaew. and the name i remember this guy saying was ajarn noo. kind of strange

http://www.arjannoo.com/

btw here is a pic of my tat a few weeks ago
when it was just getting started
now it is almost over my entire back

oops wrong pic
that was the first one
here is what i was talking about

well i guess it wont let me do it

Hi,

i have 2 sak yant from arjan noo (diciple). i can help some guys to have more information.
i recevied blessing and tat's since 3 month. everyone of you should to respect this tradition. this is so important.
arjan noo is really popular in south east asia. i stayed long time in that place and it's really interresting to see people come here all the day. lot of people.

i'm really proud if my yant. really because i'm a woman, and i had the honor to recieve a very powerfull yant.
i explain the beginning of my experience in this forum (ancient post)...
good luck for every one, and don't forget this loy: keep respect.
bye
anne
apple.canalblog.com

i have since returned from Wat Bang Phra and received my Yant Gao Yord and Jip Sii Yord from Arjan Paew two weeks ago. Must say it is a very nice experience. the temple, the abbot and the monks there are a nice lot.

thanks for Sabaijai for providing tips and info and anyone else who shared their experiences...

Hi

I have been researching Sak Yan's and have decided to have one done but as I have found out I think the monk who tattoos you decides which is good for you and where it should be tattooed.

I would like to get one though in the middle of my back and if I do get to choose I would preffer to get either a tiger, Hanuman or turtle Sak Yan

I am trying to find out the meanings for the Tiger and Turtle Sak Yan's and also any other Sak Yan meanings.

So my question is do you know any meanings of any Sak Yan's?

I have found the following...

Choo-chok tattoo’s print

An old man with a money’s bag on his shoulder, His name is Choo-chok, he is a beggar at first and a millionaire at last. This tattoo’s print is good for your business and everyone who want to get richer.

Hanuman Soong-Rith tattoo’s print (White Magic’s Monkey)

There were many Hanumans’ tattoo-prints from No.1 to No. 10 (Most popular and very special are No.8, No.9 and No.10) In Ramayana Indian tale, Hanuman is immortal, lucky in game and lucky in love. If you want to success for life, protect you from any weapons and luckiest in love, choose it!

Kao-Yod tattoo’s print ( Nava-Horakoon tattoo’s print)

This is a major tattoo’s print and may be a 1st tattoo for a new comer. The meaning of Kao-Yod is explained by 9 magic abilities of The Lord Buddha that show you in 9 lines of tattoo’s print. This tattoo’s print is good for protect you from any weapons.

Rahoo-Om-Jan tattoo’s print (Giant and the moon)

From the phenomenon that silhouette on the moon we call Rahoo-Om-Jan. We believe that Rahoo is a giant’s master and command all of devil. This tattoo’s print will help you live up or change your destiny and against all harmful.

Matchanu (Semi God’s monkey and fish)

Matchanu is a son of Hanuman and Suwan-madcha. (Mermaid) This tattoo’s print is look like Hanuman but you will see his tail like a mermaid. This tattoo’s print is good for fishermen and in every property is same as Hanuman.

Ganesha (Pra-Pikanesha)

Ganesha is a god of wealthy and successes, you can remember him easily with his elephant’s head on god body. He is the god that cleverest and he can bless you to pass all suffixes. This tattoo’s print is good for artists, actors, singers and technicians or who want wealthy.

Erawan Elephant

Erawan Elephant is a god elephant with three faces. He is more powerful and larger than another elephant in heaven. This tattoo’s print is good for the governors who work with workers and good for travelers because it prevent from harmful.

Alligator (Jorakae Tain Kwad)

The symbolic of great Thai Buddhism culture is alligator’s flag (Gatint) If you want to be a conquer and receive a mercy from social, This tattoo’s print is good for achieve, mercy and lucky.


I have also made a thread in general topics which has been going about a day now which has some good info if anyone is interested. Here's the Link

This post has been edited by sabaijai: 2008-05-12 12:28:40

I'm a woman from Seattle who will be in Thailand for three weeks and have several questions about sak yant. Will Wat Bang Pra tattoo women? Do I need an appointment, or do I jsut show up? Is the aftercare the same as a regular tattoo? Ideally I would like the monk decide which design I get and where it will go...is this normal?

I suggest you do a search for 'tattoo' in this forum as you will find a fair amount of information, including where to get sak yan.

Yes Wat Bang Phra does tattoo women. If you just show up you risk that no one will be able to do the work, but I'd say if you arrive before 10am, chances are you'd leave with a sak yan before the day is over.

Ideally, yes, you would let the monk(s) decide. At Wat Bang Phra newcomers usually start with the kao yawt (nine peaks, representing the sacred Mt Meru of Hindu-Buddhist cosmology) tattoo across the top of the back, shoulder to shoulder. However I have seen Thai women receive other tattoos (usually invisible, using sesame oil instead of ink) there.

Best thing would be to go and have a chat first, see what's available, who's available, etc.

I was born into Buddhism in 1976, but never really practiced. At a certain low point in my life I chose to learn about other religions to make my OWN choice about what I wanted to believe in, and not just be a certain religion because I was born into it.

After several years, several books & the internet, I beleive that Buddhism is the way of life for me and represents the kind of person I want to be. Although I do not know everything there is to know about Buddhism yet, I am making it a goal in my life to learn more and practice more.

For my birthday, I wanted to get a tattoo of Buddhist prayer beads since I've made this huge decision in my life and have made steps into practicing buddhism. I want to get something that shows who I am...that can never be taken away from me. I want to get something that represents what has gotten me through those tough times and what will guide me in the future.

Since I work in a professional industry and have to dress professional at all times...I had to think of a place that couldn't be seen everyday. I was thinking of getting it on my ankle since my ankle is always covered up (I never wear dresses or skirts so this would not be an issue), and if I got it on my wrist, I would always have to wear long sleeve shirts.

Anyways, I started thinking about it..and was worried this might be an inappropriate place to put a buddhist symbol. Most people get them on their backs. I would HATE to disrespect Buddhists in any way!

So, my question today is: 'Would it be disrespectful if I got a tattoo of Buddhist prayer beads on my ankle?'

Please shed some light...

17 visits and no replies? Curious, oh well here goes.

I would not even think to profess myself an expert in these matters but I would have thought anywhere below the waist is definately dodgy ground. The ankle, being almost the lowest point of the body, even more so.

Personally I wold stick with the back, you can't be wrong there BUT I can't recall ever seeing a woman with Buddhist tattoos so you should ask a Buddhist lady for advice.

Is there a disrespectful place to get a tattoo? Yes - Khoa San Road and Pattaya to name but two.

Hmmmm prob stay away from the foot area, but other than that I don't see any valid reason that would cause offense.

Thanks for the feedback. That's pretty much the answer I have gotten from everybody. They don't see why it would be 'wrong', but don't suggest it.

All the elder Buddhists that I have asked are more upset at the word 'tattoo' because that translates to 'gang members' or 'prison' to them. So, they can't really give me an honest answer.

I will continue on my search for answers...thanks all!