Muay Thai tattoo symbols called Sak Yant tattoos are protective emblems with a deep meaning rooted in ancient traditions of Buddhist and Hindu religions.
They grant the bearer desirable attributes such as power, strength, fearlessness, protection, charisma, health, fortune, and confidence.
Yantra tattooing traditions are at least 2000 years old among south-east Asian cultures.
Sak Yant symbols are deeply rooted in Thai culture and are very popular among Muay Thai fighters.
The tiger is a symbol of strength, power, and fearlessness. Twin tigers stand for the highest level of power. This is a suitable ink for a person with authority over others.
It is one of the most popular Muay Thai tattoo designs for fighters who would wish to emulate the strength and the power of a tiger in the ring. It is also the most popular tattoo design among Muay Farangs who came to train Muay Thai in Thailand.
Five magical spells that protect the bearer against:
This tattoo represents the 8 poses of Buddha.
It protects from hazards and grants good luck from all directions.
The circle represents one's life with all the distractions that one has to encounter. The straight lines up represent the paths to enlightenment.
9 Peaks Sak Yant represents nine Buddhas that grant 12 distinctive special powers and blessings:
Hanuman tattoo represents a fighter's qualities like strength, stamina, and agility and it is also a symbol of devotion to martial arts in the case of Muay Thai fighter.
In Muay Boran, a martial art that evolved into modern Muay Thai, there's a traditional fighting technique called Hanuman.
It utilizes a 'monkey-like' movement and a powerful uppercut technique which involves using both hands to strike the opponent's chin.
This Sak Yant tattoo pattern is designed for fighters.
Ganesh is a God that can remove the obstacles of any nature and clear the way for those that pay homage to him. It is also a symbol of protection.
So as you see Muay Thai tattoos have a deeper meaning and are not only worn for decorative reasons.
I hope I helped you to learn more about the art of Sak Yant tattoos and you can choose a symbol that resonates with your personality.