Khem Sak

(Thai Metal Tattooing Spike)

The Thai word Sak means to tattoo and a Yant is a sacred design that incorporates Buddhist prayers called Mantras or Katas that will invoke supernatural powers.

Yants came to Thailand via the Khmers long before Buddhism and these magic spells were originally inscribed onto cloth and were known as Pha Yants. Many Thai soldiers wore cloth jackets called Seua Yant, that were printed with a Yant to give protection in Battle. After the influx of Buddhism into Thailand it became common for these Yants to be inscribed or tattooed onto the skin. Today, you will see many Thai men with one or several of these Yant Tattoos.Â

Traditionally, a Yant is tattooed using a long bamboo stick with a split sharpened point like a quill called a Mai Sak or alternatively a long metal spike known as a Khem Sak

Pictured is Ed Story, co-founder of The Elephant Story being tattooed with the Yant Ha Taew Tattoo by a Buddhist monk in Thailand

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