What are those tattoos Thais get in temples?

For centuries, men have been visiting the Bang Phra Temple in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, to receive traditional tattoos known as “sak yant.” The temple, built in the 17th century during the Ayutthaya era, has become a pilgrimage site for those seeking good fortune, protection, and a deeper spiritual connection.

Monks at the temple use fine point needles to create the tattoos by hand, drawing from ancient Buddhist manuscripts in Khmer, Thai, and Sanskrit. They see the tattoos as a “spiritual anchor”, a physical manifestation of one’s devotion to the Buddhist teachings.

Phra Chalor Panyaprachoto, a monk and tattoo master at the temple, explains that generations have sought these tattoos not just as a decorative choice, but as a way for people to seek protection, safety, and even…