The Belief of Tattoo of Yant Ha Taew

The origins of the Yantra tattoo

According to sak-yant.com, the origins of tattooing Yantra come from the time of Ayuttaya period, as far back, perhaps as KingSomdej Pra Boroma Thrai Lokenaat, Government officials and civilservants were tattooed on their wrists with yant in order to displaytheir status.in Thailand, Sak Yant can be traced back to the Ayuttaya period, butthe sacred yant designs have existed since long before the tradition oftattooing them arose.The legends tend to indicate that the Ruesi were cheifly responsible for obtaining the spells and sacred psalms that enable the magic of sakyant. They did this through having supposedly entered their states of higher consciousness and listened tothe Divine beings.The Ruesi recorded the songs of the Heavenly beingsand out of this came the “Kampir Waet”, otherwise known as the Sacred Vedas by the Hindus. These Vedas were the sacred book of knowledge of the Brahmins, or “Prahm” as they are called in Thai.Before the advent of Buddhism, Brahminism was the main Religion & Brahmins were the ruling society of what is now India and Nepal. The only people allowed to study the magickal knowledge contained within the Vedas.The Ruesi took this knowledge and made it available to us on Earth. They then made hymns to the Divine beings using these vedas and inscribed Yantras, sacred geometrical imagery with magickal powers cast into them. After their invention and the rise of Buddhism in what is now known as the Kingdom of Thailand, the Thai people developed an affinity for tattooing these sacred yant (yant is the Thai name for yantra). Most men in most villages would be tattooed to their elbows and knees at least. Shirt like and short trouser like intricate tattoos made with a series of dots made close together as to be able to define shapes and forms in a highly detailed manner. These tattoos were worn by warriors of the past, and even in the first and second world wars the Thais were known as “Taharn Phii” (ghost soldiers) because of theirmany protective tattoos and amulets worn. The soldiers would even wear a”Suea yant”.

At the present, many people are interested in Sak Yant in the design of tattooing of Yant Ha Taew which is a decoration of five rows of yantra with magic alphabets because it is believed that it bring good luck to them. Moreover, the popular and famous master of tatooing Yantra in Thailand is Aj.Noo who success as a world-famous tattoo master and drew a number of media representatives from various countries such as Hong Kong, Malaysia, Japan, Korea, Canada, German, Sweden to his samnak, Nakornpatom provice. People at many places know the master by his skills. He has gained celebrity increasingly and television and newspaper stories are key tools to sustain his fame.

In addition, five Pillars, or Rows Yantra, as made popular by the Actress Angelina Jolie, after visiting Ajarn Noo Ganpai to receive this yant because the tattoo of Yant Ha Taew make her good fortune in occupation and lives as well.

This is the meaning of the tattoo or five row Yantra as follows; it is the ancient belief that Yantra represents a spell on each row. The first row provides charms, the second brings good fortune, the third provides successful job and business, the fourth means her sign of zodiac, the fifth is to gain charisma.” Devotees would be attractive to those of opposite sex and successful in business. Even enemies would turn to be friends with the tattoo wearer. This belief also became movie in Thailand that is about the power of five row Yantra

However, this belief is the personal belief and there are on evidences to proof it so whoever want to tatoo the five row Yantra, you should have faith in this thing first.

History place in Thailand

Wat Pho

By Sedta Intarid

When we talk about history places in Bangkok, Thai people always thing about the temple where are the most attractive places for tourists such as Wat Phra Keaw and Wat Arun. It is amazing place for them because the Thai temple was decorated by the very beautiful arts, and there are many historical and cultural heritages have been accumulated in the temple.

Recently, I went to Wat Pho where is the most attractive place for tourists in Thailand because there many impressive things with the beautiful decoration such as gable and wall, etc. Besides, the large grounds of Wat Pho contain more than 1000 Buddha images in total but the most interesting Buddha images for tourists in Wat Pho is the reclining Buddha image. Moreover, it has many historical and cultural heritages are contained in Wat Pho. Wat Pho is considered one of the biggest amongst hundreds of Buddhist temples in Bangkok. There’s no clear evidence to tell us when the temple was firstly built. According to the earliest historical record, historians suggest that the temple has existed here for over 250 years before the founding of both the capitals of Thonburi and Bangkok. Eventually, when King Taksin made Thonburi the capital of Siam on the other side of the river in 1767, the King later ordered renovation to the temple and made this temple a Royal Monastery. In 1793, after King Rama I found Bangkok for the new capital and built the Grand Palace nearby this old temple. The King then ordered to have this temple renovated again and it took seven and a half years to finish. With the passage of 46 years King Rama III commanded a big renovation program again to this temple and that involved restorations and building of many new constructions. The renovation started in 1839 and took 17 years to complete. The renovation occurred in about the same time when there was a great deal of trade between Thailand and China. This is the reason why we see Big Chinese architectural-influences and many other aspects of Chinese decorations shown here in this temple. The halls, the stupas, the pavilions are richly decorated with countless fragments with the recycles of the Chinese-wares.

The gold Reclining Buddha image

The first interesting section in Wat Pho is the Vihara of the Reclining Buddha or Phra Buddhasaiyas(Viharn Phranorn). According to watpho.com, Viharn Phranorn is the building where is constructed for containing the important Buddha image, the Reclining Buddha. King Rama III told his nobleman, Krom Muen Pumintarapakdi (Prince Laddawan), the head of department of the Ten Crafts as a construction team leader. After having noulded the image of the Reclining Buddha, the team continued with the hall.The image was made of stuccoed bricks gilded with gold leaves. This statue is 46 metres long, with the dimensions at the face of 15 metres high and at each foot of 3 metres high and 5 metres long. The soles of the statue's feet are inlaid with mother-of-pearl showing the 108 auspicious signs of the Buddha. This is the largest and most beautiful piece of fine arts of the Buddha image in a reclining position found in Thailand. The mother of pearl inlay at the feet of the image is of Thai-Chinese style, as indicated by 108 auspicious signs portraying natural scenes of both Indian and Chinese influences. On the inner wall of this Vihara, you will see mural paintings of three topics; “Mahawong” (Historical annals of Ceylon) up the windows; “13 Savida Atadagga Disciples (Priestess)”, “10 Upasaka Atadagga Disciples” and “10 Upasika Atadagga Disciples” between each window. In addition, there is an important thing in Wat Pho that is the four great stupas that involve in Thai history. The four great stupas is called Phra Maha Chedi, and found each at 41 metres high. The four great stupas were built on three separate occasions. The first stupa was built in the reign of King Rama I to contain Buddha image, Phra Si Sanphet. The second occasion was happened when King Rama III built 2 more stupas on each side of the first one. The white glazed tile on the right was for King Rama II while the yellow one on the left was for his own behalf. The last great stupa in blue tile was built by King Rama IV to commemorate his own reign before he ordered that the future King shouldn't built any more great stupa in this already crowded temple. Not only the charming Reclining Buddha image, but the Chinese stone statues and rock giants also fascinate the tourists. There are many Chinese stone statues placed all over the temple compound for decoration. They're brought from the mainland China a long time ago especially in the reign of King Rama III when there was a great deal of trade between Thailand and China. They were used as the ballast of the ships and were subsequently presented to the King, and the King put them away in various places for decoration. They are in forms of animals, warriors, Chinese sages etc.

Here are four main of the Chinese stone statues as follows; The first is Chinese rock giants were found as gate guardians and in the parks were ballast from the ancient trading travels to China. It was intelligence of the ancient Thai applying these ballasts for decorations in many places of this monastery. The second is “Lan Than” or Rock Giants with weapons represents nobleman warriors in Chinese opera style clothes. The giant with a looking down fierce-face, holding a weaponin one hand and wearing a tight suite of armor, can be found as gate guardians. They were both high-rank soldiers and combatants. The third is Philosopher is a good-humoured rockery wearing a folded-end top-hat. He looks like a young knowledgeable aristocrat, but without beard, wearing a long cloak and shoes, holding a fan or a book in one hand. The last one is Lion Mouthing a Ball as a decoration at the stairs base can be found in many sizes. You can roll the ball in his open mouth, too If you are obervant enough, there are both lions and lionesses. The lioness has small cubs in her chest and at her feet whereast he lion is standing with either a ball, a globe, or other auspicious items accourding to Chinese belief, in his paw.

If you have free time, I think you should go the this temple and you will see the wonderful object certainly. Besides, the temple is suited for students who wants to learn about Thai History.

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