r/Thailand • u/444krazy • 1d ago
Culture Are Sak Yant tattoos secretly forms of possessions or curses?
Hey everyone
I recently got a Sak Yant tattoo from ajarn in
Bangkok, and something a Thai local told me afterward has been bothering me. I’m hoping someone familiar with Sak Yant, Thai Buddhism, Khom script, or traditional Thai spiritual practices can shed some light on this.
My experience with the Ajarn:
I visited a ajarn and was allowed to look through a catalogue of Sak Yant designs and choose whichever one I wanted.
I specifically didn’t want anything aggressive or associated with domination, violence, or warrior energy. I wanted something positive that would help me in life.
I chose a design, which has five vertical spires, a central circular symbol, and sacred writing Pali script underneath.
The ajarn didn’t ask me any personal questions or try to select a design for me. He was pretty relaxed and transactional throughout the experience.
After completing the tattoo, he performed a prayer/chant, sprinkled water on me, and said he had bestowed a blessing.
He explained afterward that my particular Sak Yant was for discipline, luck, prosperity, and success.
I didn’t bring any traditional offerings, gifts, or extra money. I simply paid the agreed price. He didn’t seem offended or upset, and he never gave me any rules to follow afterward.
Before I left, he casually said, “I’ll see you again.”
At the time, I thought nothing of it. I was happy with my tattoo and went on with my life.
Then I met a Thai local who really worried me.
She noticed my Sak Yant and started asking questions about it.
She asked whether the Ajarn had asked when I was coming back. I told her he hadn’t, but that he had said, “I’ll see you again.”
She seemed concerned.
She then told me that some Ajarns initially give people spiritual protection for the first year or two, but afterward supposedly begin introducing problems into their lives through spirits attached to the yantra.
According to her, this can eventually make people spiritually dependent on the Ajarn, almost like becoming a “spiritual slave.”
She said that only the Ajarn who performed the original tattoo could reverse the yantra.
She also examined my tattoo and physically touched the back of my neck. She said something along the lines of “the spirit is strong on your neck.”
She asked whether I experienced headaches at the back of my head or around my temples.
I told her no, apart from occasional headaches after working long hours.
She then asked whether I had disturbing dreams. I told her that I sometimes do, but I’ve experienced those since before getting the tattoo.
She seemed genuinely concerned and told me, “I’m scared for you,” and suggested I should go back to the Ajarn.
She also pointed out that I didn’t actually understand what the Ajarn was chanting during the blessing, so I couldn’t know what he had said.
For context, she didn’t know the specific ajarn, She was speaking about Ajarns and spiritual practices more generally.
My questions:
Is there any established tradition or occult folklore in Thailand about Ajarns initially giving protection and later spiritually binding people through their Sak Yant tattoos? Or is this a misconception?
Also if anyone could recognize the specific yantra in my tattoo, and its traditional Thai name and accurate translation of the Pali inscriptions, especially the two bottom lines. I can send photo in private message.
Is there any particular significance to the tattoo being placed on the upper back near the neck and spine?
Is it normal for an Ajarn to let someone choose a design without asking personal questions, and to perform the blessing without explaining the chant?
Are offerings and rules mandatory in every Sak Yant lineage? Should I have been given specific instructions?
Has anyone received a Sak Yant from a traditional ajarn in Thailand and What was your experience?
Is there any cultural significance to an Ajarn saying “I’ll see you again,” or is that simply a normal farewell?
I’m not claiming that I’ve been cursed or that anything supernatural has happened to me. I understand that spiritual beliefs and verifiable evidence are different things.
I was genuinely happy with the tattoo and didn’t have any concerns until this woman approached me.
I’m mainly interested in understanding the actual traditions, the meaning of my specific yantra, and whether there’s any historical or cultural basis for what she told me.
I’d especially appreciate input from Thai people, Sak Yant practitioners, or anyone who can genuinely read Khom/Pali inscriptions.
Thanks in advance. I’ll attach a close-up photo of the tattoo.
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u/RegularSky6702 1d ago
You're supposed to get blessed yearly. Also don't walk under clothes lines or spit in a toilet. You can't lie, steal, cheat, sleep with married women, and drink to excess.
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u/Taxi-Shinawat 22h ago
Clothes line?
I don't see many of those. Rusty metal clothes racks are more common.
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u/elorechoy 23h ago
Many people associate these tattoos with blessings, curses, magical powers, spirits, etc. Luckily for you, none of those things are real! It's a bunch of superstitious bullshit. Fear not.
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u/and_its_T 23h ago
OP you’re in luck. I happen to specialise in Sak Yant curse removal. All you need to do is send me 1 bitcoin and I’ll have it all sorted out for you. Let me know if you’re interested. Results are guaranteed.
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u/Any_Hamster2910 1d ago
No as most haven’t really reached the spiritual level. Also you need to adhere to a certain lifestyle.
Need proof ? Go to a gambling den they all lose money !
Look how many wannabe gangster get shot ,stabbed and killed they have their bodies full of yantras !
A Yantra without a proper vessel and prayer also meditation is just decoration . Monks or so called Ajarn are not Siddhas for the most part don’t even think there is one in Thailand.
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u/Taxi-Shinawat 1d ago
It's just ink on skin. The rest is BS.