聖符刺青 · สักยันต์
Sak Yant Sacred Designs
Sacred geometric tattoos combining Buddhist scripture, Brahmanical mantra, and Khmer yantra science
Sak Yant (สักยันต์, 刺青符咒) are sacred geometric designs inscribed by Ajahn masters using a metal rod (khem sak) or bamboo needle. Each design contains Khmer or Pali script forming protective prayers, activated through the master’s breath (phao) and katha (sacred incantation). The tattoo serves as a physical vessel for the protective power, which must be maintained through observance of the master’s precepts.
Five Rows
ห้าแถว · 五行符
Five horizontal rows of Khmer script inscribed in parallel lines within a rectangular frame, each row containing a distinct blessing incantation
📍 Upper back between the shoulder blades, or nape of neck
⚠ 7 maintenance rules
Five evenly spaced horizontal bands of dense Khmer script filling the width of the design; each row rendered in a formal angular Khmer calligraphic hand; the topmost row contains the most senior blessing formula and the bottom row contains protective sealing script; the overall design is framed by a thin rectangular border
Nine Spires
เก้ายอด · 九頂符
Nine pointed spires or peaks rising above a circular central mandala, each spire representing one of nine sacred temples; the central circle contains a Unalome and further Khmer script
📍 Crown of the head (considered the highest and most sacred position) or uppermost portion of the back
⚠ 8 maintenance rules
A tiered triangular composition: at the base, a circular mandala densely filled with Khmer script rows; rising above the circle, nine tall pointed spires arranged in a pyramid formation, the central one tallest, flanked by four on each side in descending height; each spire contains a condensed blessing syllable; Unalome symbols adorn the base of each spire; the entire composition is framed by delicate geometric borders
Eight Directions
แปดทิศ · 八方符
Eight Unalome symbols radiating outward from a central circle like compass points, with Khmer script filling the spaces between each Unalome arm
📍 Upper back or chest, centred on the spine or sternum to mirror the radiating symmetry
⚠ 7 maintenance rules
A perfectly symmetrical octagram: eight elongated Unalome spirals extend outward from a central circular hub, each aligned to one of the eight compass directions; dense Khmer script fills the wedge-shaped spaces between each arm; the central hub may contain a single powerful syllable or small Buddha image; fine concentric circles frame the innermost hub; the outermost tips of each Unalome terminate in small circular dots
Tiger
เสือ · 虎符
A stylised tiger depicted in a powerful aggressive stance, with body rendered in a combination of Khmer script strokes forming the animal's musculature and fur
📍 Chest (single tiger) or both shoulder blades simultaneously (twin tigers, known as Suea Koo)
⚠ 8 maintenance rules
A snarling tiger in three-quarter profile, right forepaw raised in aggressive striking posture; the body outline is formed by continuous Khmer script strokes that flow along the contours of the muscles; the open mouth reveals sharp teeth with Khmer syllables inscribed within; the tail curls upward; traditional versions have a sacred Unalome inscribed above the tiger's head; the entire composition radiates physical menace while maintaining a sacred geometric order
Hanuman
หนุมาน · 哈努曼符
The Vanara warrior deity Hanuman depicted in a heroic martial stance with weapons raised, surrounded by sacred Khmer script in circular formation
📍 Upper arm (bicep) or chest
⚠ 8 maintenance rules
Hanuman in full warrior regalia: white monkey face with a third eye on the forehead, wearing a crown and celestial armour; right hand brandishes a mace or Gada weapon overhead; left hand holds a mountain or lotus; the figure is surrounded by concentric circles of Khmer script; flames or rays of light emanate from the figure's crown; the lower frame contains rows of protective script sealing the power
Peacock
นกยูง · 孔雀符
A peacock with fully spread tail displayed in a circular mandala formation, with each tail feather containing sacred script
📍 Shoulder or collarbone area; sometimes upper arm
⚠ 7 maintenance rules
A peacock facing forward with tail spread into a perfect semicircle; each of the fifteen to twenty tail feathers is rendered as an elongated oval containing a sacred Khmer syllable; the peacock's body is stylised with geometric patterns; the breast area contains a central Unalome; the spread tail forms the outer circle of the mandala; concentric rings of fine dotwork frame the entire composition
Crown
มงกุฎ · 王冠符
An ornate royal Thai crown shape composed of layered tiers with sacred script filling each tier, terminating in a pointed spire
📍 Top of the head (crown) or directly on the back of the neck where head meets spine
⚠ 8 maintenance rules
A tiered Thai royal crown (Mong Kol) rendered in sacred geometric form: multiple ascending tiers each filled with alternating rows of Khmer script and geometric dot patterns; the crown base is flanked by two Garuda wings or flame motifs; the central spire terminates in a lotus bud tip; jewel-like circular dots adorn the mid-section; radiating lines extend from the crown base suggesting rays of divine light
The Great One
ตัวเอก · 大一符
A single central yantra mandala with multiple radiating geometric layers and dense script, representing the union of all protective and auspicious forces in one point
📍 Centre of the back, aligned with the spine
⚠ 6 maintenance rules
A circular mandala of several concentric rings: the innermost contains a central sacred syllable (often Na, Ma, Phi, Tha, or similar); the next ring contains eight directional protective syllables; outer rings alternate between geometric patterns and rows of Khmer script; the outermost ring is a bold circular border; four projections extend from the cardinal points, each terminating in a Unalome; the overall composition is balanced and harmonious
Great Charm
มหาเสน่ห์ · 大魅力符
Intertwined paired script forms creating a love-binding pattern, with two central figures or syllables representing the binding of hearts, surrounded by radiating attraction script
📍 Chest (over the heart), wrist, or inner arm
⚠ 8 maintenance rules
Two intertwined cursive Khmer syllables at the centre, one representing the male principle and one the female, woven together in a pattern suggesting an embrace; surrounding these are concentric zones of flowing Khmer script written in elegant curved strokes rather than angular ones; small flame or lotus motifs mark the cardinal points; the outer frame is a softly rounded square rather than a sharp rectangle, suggesting warmth rather than force
Buddha's Teaching
พุทธซอน · 佛智符
A stylised representation of the Buddha footprint (Buddhapada) or Dhamma wheel (Dhammachakra) rendered in sacred geometry with inscribed Pali script
📍 Upper back along the spine, or between the shoulder blades
⚠ 8 maintenance rules
The sacred Dhamma wheel with eight spokes rendered in bold Khmer-influenced line work; alternately, the Buddha footprint oval filled with 108 auspicious symbols; at the centre, a lotus blossom; each spoke or section of the wheel contains a Pali stanza from the Dhammapada; the outer rim is inscribed with the Itipiso blessing verse in continuous script; the geometric precision of the wheel conveys mathematical perfection and enlightened order
Nang Kwak Yant
ยันต์นางกวัก · 招財天女符
The beckoning goddess Nang Kwak depicted in her traditional form with one raised beckoning hand, surrounded by prosperity and abundance script
📍 Chest or upper arm; also commonly inscribed on a cloth or gold leaf for placement in a business rather than on the body
⚠ 7 maintenance rules
Nang Kwak in her iconic pose: a graceful woman in traditional Thai costume seated or standing with right hand raised and the index finger curling in a beckoning gesture; her left hand rests in her lap holding a money bag; the figure is surrounded by stylised Thai flame borders and dense rows of Khmer prosperity script; coin and lotus motifs fill the background spaces; radiating golden-style lines extend from the figure suggesting material abundance flowing outward
Four Auspicious Blessings
สี่มงคล · 四吉祥符
A square mandala divided into four equal quadrants, each containing a distinct blessing design, unified by a central circle binding all four forces
📍 Centre of the back, or chest
⚠ 7 maintenance rules
A perfect square mandala divided by a cross into four quadrants: top-left shows a stylised wealth vessel overflowing with coins rendered in Khmer script; top-right shows a lotus health symbol; bottom-left shows intertwined love script; bottom-right shows a lucky star or auspicious symbol; the central intersection contains a single powerful unifying syllable in a circle; the outer frame features repeating geometric border patterns; the overall composition is perfectly symmetrical
Five Buddhas
ยันต์พระเจ้าห้าพระองค์ · 五佛符
Five Buddha images arranged in the Panchabuddha formation: one at each cardinal direction and one at the centre, united by concentric rings of Pali script
📍 Entire upper back, covering from nape to mid-back
⚠ 9 maintenance rules
Five stylised Buddha images in meditation posture positioned in the Panchabuddha mandala layout: Vairocana at centre, Akshobhya at east, Ratnasambhava at south, Amitabha at west, Amoghasiddhi at north; each Buddha sits within its own circular aureole of Pali script; connecting channels of script join each satellite Buddha to the central figure; the entire composition is encircled by a dense outer ring of the Itipiso and Patana protective verses; the size and density of this Yant make it one of the largest and most complex in Thai tradition
Twin Tigers
ยันต์เสือคู่ · 雙虎符
Two stylised tigers facing each other in mirror symmetry, their bodies composed of Khmer script, creating a bilateral pair that activates simultaneously
📍 Both shoulder blades simultaneously — one tiger per shoulder blade, facing each other across the spine
⚠ 8 maintenance rules
Two tigers in perfect mirror symmetry facing each other from opposite sides of the composition; the left tiger faces right and the right tiger faces left, their gazes locked across the central spine-aligned axis; both tigers are in crouching aggressive posture with raised forepaws; the bodies of both tigers are formed by flowing Khmer script strokes that echo muscle contours; between them, a central Unalome or sacred syllable marks the spine; the two tigers appear ready to spring simultaneously in opposite directions to defend both flanks
Three Lions
ยันต์ตรีนิสิงเห์ · 三獅符
Three lions arranged in a triangular formation, each facing outward in a different direction, united by a central sacred script hub forming a dynamic rotating triangle
📍 Upper back, below the nape and above the shoulder blades
⚠ 8 maintenance rules
Three lions arranged at the corners of an equilateral triangle, each facing outward in a different direction (at 12, 4, and 8 o'clock positions); each lion is depicted rampant with mane flowing, mouth open in a roar, forepaws raised; the bodies are formed by flowing Khmer script; the triangular space between the three lions contains a central complex yantra hub of nested triangles; each lion is connected to the central hub by a thick band of script; a circular outer border of Pali script encloses the entire triangular composition within a circle, creating a dynamic visual tension between the triangle and the circle
⚠Common Maintenance Taboos(click to expand)
The following taboos are shared across most Sak Yant traditions. Violating them weakens or voids the protective power of the Yant.
- Eating rotten, fermented, or putrefied food
- Passing under clothing hung on a clothesline
- Disrespecting one's teacher, monk, or the Ajahn who gave the Yant
- Engaging in immoral sexual conduct or adultery
- Telling serious deliberate lies
- Speaking ill of one's mother or mother-figures