Sharing some of our cultural, regional, and family beliefs about Sak Yon/Yantra that was passed onto us from our Mon-Khmer and Khmer elders.
Sak Yon/Yantra = សាក់យ័ន្ត
The practice of tattooing in ancient Cambodia is believed to be associated with indigenous tribes and then became integrated with Hindu-Buddhist concepts, patterns, and rituals.
According to oral stories, this practice dates back even further, either to the prehistoric times or the pre-Angkorian era.
Some believe that these tattoos were used to differentiate between tribes.
- សាក់ [saak] means “to tattoo” (verb)
- យ័ន្ត or យន្ត [yo’nt] is rooted in Pali and Sanskrit and it has 2 meanings:
“device/etc” and “magical drawing/amulet”
Earliest historical records
The earliest written records date back to the Angkor period, from the 9th to the 15th century.
Receiving a Sak Yon as a warrior or soldier during that time displayed loyalty to the kingdom and had other connotations depending on the tattoo pattern and style.
Historical Impacts
- 1920 royal ordinance in Cambodia forbade monks from tattooing the Sak Yon/Yantra
- Many of the remaining practitioners had been killed during the Khmer Rouge genocide and civil war. Those who survived and are well-versed are still reluctant to go public (but their trauma is valid)
Random Detail
It is said that—currently:
Those done in Cambodia and Central Thailand have the Old Khmer (Cambodian) Script.
Those done in Northern Thailand are written in Shan, Tai Lu, and Northern Thai scripts.
Those done in Laos have the Lao Tham Script.
Oral stories
The following information is based on influences from our Khmer/Cambodian and other Mon-Khmer (Austroasiatic) speaking ancestors.
So, this will obviously differ from your fam’s views and beliefs.
No. 1
Just like your given name, communicating with spirits or the other world plays a big role in receiving a Sak Yon.
I was taught that if a woman were to receive it, it would always be on the left side of her body.
This topic conflicts as Khmer folks have different beliefs and views on women with tattoos. LOL but if you know Khmer history, you know.
No. 2
- communicating with the spirits/ancestors
They’ll redirect to the Ajar/Ajarn or monk who is able to do your tattoo or tell you that it isn’t time or be like you can’t/shouldn’t get one (but that’s above them if you get a sham or end up getting curse)
Since your Sak Yon is based on your astrology/cosmology/etc., there’s a belief that it should be done on a specific day and time
Once the day/time is chosen you have to prepare the items for the alter and ritual you will have to go through.
The ritual to get the Sak Yon involves chants to bless the tattoo and also make it “magical”
I won’t get into the details but there’s different purposes/intentions in getting one.
Additionally, a lot of the stuff is gate-kept–as it should tbh.
No.3
There’s two types of Sak:
Spiritual ones:
Ones that are hidden and cannot be seen with the human eye. The belief is that some people are assigned invisible tattoos by their ancestors and/or spiritual beings they have a connection with.
Another belief passed down regarding this is that some people live their lives without knowing that they are “well-protected—magically” by either the ancestors/spiritual beings. There’s much more to it, which is a belief you’ll have to figure out and explore on your own.
Physical ones:
The Sak Yon, as mentioned in the previous oral stories, is a traditional design that has its designated spot on the body for tattooing and cannot be moved elsewhere.
No. 4
There’s a second process in getting the Sak Yon, and that is based on the person’s និស្ស័យ.
Basically, if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. When it is time, you’ll meet the Aja/Monk who is destined to “SaK = tattoo” you, and you’ll receive it then and there.
No. 5
Getting portraits tatted are a “must avoid”.
There’s the belief that you’re intentionally/unintentionally inviting the energy of that person into your life which may conflict with your own energy.
So, the karmic things/etc. that they go through may interfere with yours/your life.
No. 6
Getting things that conflict with one another is also a “must avoid”.
Example:
Depiction of a mythological war between parties tatted on you.\ There’s a sense that you’re inviting a constant chaos.
No. 7
Getting deities/gods/goddesses/and so forth tatted on the lower half of your body—it’s a must avoid.
It ties in with Buddhism, Hinduism, etc. in Khmer Culture which you can figure out as well.
Hmm, there’s a lot more oral stories/sayings but what’s the fun in spilling everything.
Khmer Words
