Sacred Ink

Details of tattoos on a man’s neck and head // Thai sacred tattoos are applied during special ceremonies by monks and tattoo masters with knowledge of ancient South East Asian script. Popular with men with dangerous occupations, the tattoos are believed to protect the wearers form danger and bad luck. The tattoos consist of Buddhist texts, numerology charts, mythical creatures and characters form the ancient Sanskrit epic the Ramayana. Thai society is still deeply rooted in superstition and the tattoo tradition is actually gaining popularity. Each year tattoo masters hold a special «Yai Khru» ceremony (honor the teacher) where devotes come to get tattoos reblessed, get new ones and pay respects to their master. During these ceremonies many men will go into a state of trance and mimic the mithycal creatures on their skin. They are said to be posessed by the spirit of their magical tattoos…