|
Ink & oil
Generally there
are two kinds of liquids that are used to create
the sacred tattoos.
1.Ink, used in
both the art-tattoos and sacred-tattoos. However
the main difference between the two is that the
sacred ink used may contain many more
constituents than its modern counterpart and
will have been blessed by the monk. Typically
the monk may include an extract of many
auspicious herbs and sacred plants.
2.Oil, likewise
formulated with many sacred ingredients,
although sesame oil is often used as the base
of the preparation. Only monks and other learned
practioners will use oil for tattooing.
|
Sacred
designs
For
modern art tattoos an individual may
choose from thousands of bespoke art
works, but the traditional sacred tattoo
is limited to a considerably fewer
number of designs, all based on ancient
Buddhist principals, magic and creatures
These are
designs that cannot be modified
significantly, having been passed down
through the generations. Doing so may
affect the efficacy. In many
circumstances the worshipper will not
choose his own designs but rely on the
experience of the monk to perform this
on his behalf
Tattoo
designs are most commonly animals,
double-tailed lizards are popular,
figures from classical Thai mythology
and magic spells written in ancient
Khmer script. The precise details of the
designs, and especially the written
spells and magical symbols, which can be
quite complex, are largely individually
acquired by the tattooist and have
greater or lesser effect depending on
the extent of his knowledge
Whatever the design, all
of them are respected for the inherent
magic power.
For example, Hanuman (the
monkey god) is supposedly a great and
clever fighter; dragons are brave and
wise; geckos are loving.
Thais believe that these animals can
rise to protect them in times of danger
and often become possessed with the
spirit of the creature shortly after the
tattoo is applied. |
|
 |
The majority of
people who are tattooed believe they acquire two
types of strength, kwam yu yong kong kraphan and
metta mahaniyom. The first is physical
invulnerability from weapons, with tattoos
preventing the skin from being punctured by
knives or bullets
The second is the
power to attract admiration and love, the tattoo
being able to exert a positive influence over
others. The most popular designs include Salika
(the divine charming bird), and house lizards
Integral to the
importance of tattooing is the skill and
spiritual knowledge of the tattooist. These days
the art has become diluted with various
practitioners taking up the needle, yet there
are still highly respected master tattooists who
preserve the tradition in all its seriousness
and arcane lore.
Some may claim to
be mediums and make tattoos while possessed by
the spirit of a reushi or ascetic. In this case
they wear a mask in the traditional likeness of
a hermit |
