Tattoo Rituals
Dai Tatoo
Tattoos in Thailand have been used since ancient times, but they are tatoos of magic for men which many believe in. If someone has a tattoo he is certain that his body will be invulnerable and weapons won't bother him. If Thai men want a tattoo, they will go to a Buddhist priest, because Thai people think Buddhist priests have the most power of magic.
In the past, Thai people cherished the independence of their country, and everybody would protect the country from war. But before they would go to war, the Thai men would seek a material which they thought would give courage to them. One thing to influence the Thai warrior was the tattoo.
The majority of men would tattoo to show fearlessness and to make the body invulnerable. The magic tattoo is in the Pali-Sanskrit alphabet. Thai people call this tatoo sahk yahn. This tattoo is unique in the world. To make the tattoo in Thailand, the monk uses a pin to pierce the skin and prays magic charms from popular Buddhist priests which prevent weapons from wounding the body.
There are two types of tattoo in Thailand: the white tattoo, which is for good luck and is invisible; and the black tattoo which is for protection from dangers the fighter must face.
If the Thai people do not maintain this tradition, the tattoo will disappear from Thai culture. At present, you can see the Thai tattos on the skin of some old men, but it is hard to find. Many people thought tattoos were old-fashioned and barbarous, but after years of not being important, tattoos are beginning to be a hit once again.
See Also
Tattoo Rituals
Dai Tatoo