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Anyone know of a study, book or website that catalogs the range of traditional muay thai tattoos (origins, what they supposedly give to the wearer, associated prayers, etc.)?
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to my knowlege (which is admitedly limited) luck/power/etc. symbols in Muay Thai have traditionaly taken the form of amulets and talesmens. There's the braided Prajied (arm band) and Mong Kong (head band) into which a little buddha would be hidden sometimes.
Other than that, this nifty book informs me that there's the Dhagrut, which is a roll of beaten bronze tied at the waist, and inscribed with magical symbols. I don't know what those symbols were though. You aren't alowed to unroll the Dhagrut, but if you can find a picture of a Paa-yan, it's a peice of cloth with a similar mystical inscription, but I think each one is supposed to be unique.
This book Ajarn Chai gave me also says in a little foot note that some fighters have "a mystical munber and/or cabalistic writing actually tattooed on some part of their body" but that's all, and no pic. I doubt it's actually cabalistic writing, it could just be something similar, but I don't know. It also says that fighters would have tattoos on the back of their hands that in some way incorperated this "Gam Ban Nak Muen" incantation meaning "clenched fist weighing ten-thousand." For more info about this, it recomends looking in used book shops in Thailand.
The book is "Muay Thai, a Living Legacy" by Kat Prayudvong and Lesley D. Junlakan, but that's all the information there seems to be in it on that subject. Lots of other cool stuff though, I recomend it in general. -
I think the tattoos have less to do with Muay Thai directly than with Therevada Buddhism.
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Dear aseepish, spiritual tatoo is definitely not related to Therevada Buddhism. It's linked with animistic practice which the Cambodians are famous for. Individual Buddhist monks may study these cults, and practice them. However, this is not condone by the Thai Buddhist Sangha Council. In old days, many Thai men wear tatoo in belief that it protects the wearer.. This eventually remain among men who lead dangerous life. It is difficult to explain or justify, but black magic thrives every where on earth, with deep devotees of black magic.Comment
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I believe that type of tattoo is called Sak Yan (สักยันต์). Sportmuaythai is on about it not being Buddhist. For an interesting read on animism vs. Buddhism in Southeast Asia, I'd recommend "The Gods Drink Whiskey" by Steven Asma.Comment
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Wow! If OBP is not a Thai, then my hat to him. I'm certain that he has Thai Window version.Originally posted by OctaviousBPComment
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I am learning... very... slowly.Comment
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Thanks for the reference!Comment
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My mistake! I'm no expert in Therevada, evidently!Originally posted by sportmuaythai
Octavious - I'll keep an eye out for that book! How are things with you man?Comment
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Pretty great actually, but stressful.
I'm moving back to Thailand in August... the day after my wedding! Nevermind the thesis I'm trying to finish and the fulltime job I'm working to try and pay for the wedding. And of course there is teaching at the gym...
But all in all, we are pumped to be back in Northern Thailand again.
How about you?Comment
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Congratulations!
I'm going back to school come September, hopefully I'll get back to Chiang Mai next summer. I was hoping for this year, but I'm going to be pretty busy.Comment
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well look man..really..no offense but either youre getting assimilated into buddhist religion because of your interest in the muay thai martial art..which is really a shame for you to become a sheep like everyone and follow fancy beliefs(but hey superstitions and false beliefs are what make this life interesting aint it?)..but hey im not here to judge you and everyone forbids me to say anything about religion so i wont get started on that..Anyone know of a study, book or website that catalogs the range of traditional muay thai tattoos (origins, what they supposedly give to the wearer, associated prayers, etc.)?
or either you want to get some tatoos for you to show off..in that case id say go for it..just dont get too much assimilated in superstition is all i can sayComment
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I enjoy the mysticism...even as an atheist. The syncretism of the primitive animistic beliefs held by the early tribal populations of Thailand and southeast asia later Hindu beliefs and the more modern Buddhist beliefs is absolutely fascinating from a ethnological, anthropological, and theological stand point.
(seriously, a buddhist monk tattooing a figure of a Hindu monkey god on a person's back, with associated beliefs in magic, protection, and possession by animal spirits seems pretty damn sweet from a research perspective.)
I like tracing some of the stuff, note that the same Hindu figure said to have brought kalippyatt to India is the same Buddhist figure to bring about some of the CMA's. Boddhidharma, and Dharuma in Japanese.
Cool shit.
The tattoos also look bomb.Comment
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I love the way the sanscrit looks...
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it sure is pretty..but why hide the intention of looking good behind false superstition and mythical stuff?Comment
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