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Is Tattoo Just A Body Art or A Cultural Sacred Design

20.04  SATYATARUNA WOTAN   Labels: , , , , ,

Is Tattoo Just A Body Art or A Cultural Sacred Design?

Today I found an interesting story about Pee Bpop (ghost that has the tendency to take over a person’s body before eating it’s victim) and I’m hoping to translate it but I want to learn a bit more about the ghost. When I was little living in Laos, we were told to run for cover whenever Pee Bpop was closed by, but what I saw was either an old man or old lady passing by, I guess they were the Pee Bpop. I have a friend that I thought might know a thing or two about Pee Bpop, so I visited him over the weekend, just my luck that I went to the right person, not that he was a Pee Bpop or anything like that, if that was the case, it’d not have been safe for me to stay there at all since I’m still sick, Pee Bpop has the tendency to take over a sick (weak) person’s body. What was interesting was the story of how and why people became Pee Bpop back in Laos, and Issan region of Thailand. I’ve always wondered if Pee Bpop really exists or if it’s mostly a belief of Lao and Issan people, until this day I still don’t have an answer. I do find the story to be fascinating, so I’ll be translating a story of Pee Bpop of Savannakhet, Laos in the next couple of days, should be interesting.
My friend said that in Laos, those that became Pee Bpop were the one that studied Monh (black magic), many times, these Monh (magic) should be used to help people, and certainly not for greed; if misused or abused in any way, the black magic can backfire, and take control of their body and become Pee Bpop; Monh (black magic) is certainly not something that people should be messing around with.


What I’ve found fascinating is the temple tattoo because it’s not your ordinary tattoo; the design has a religious feel to it. I’ve noticed that many Lao and Thai men, especially the older men would have these tattoos on their body. He explained to me that these tattoos have Monh (magic) of prayers in the design, therefore there’re strict rules that must be followed or otherwise he said that the chance of becoming Pee Bpop or crazy is highly likely, very strange concept I thought to myself, I guess if voodoo exists, then this should also, I’d say, if you don’t believe, don’t mock.

tattoo for protectionMy friend also has one on his back, which looks very much like a Thai Temple tattoo of Sak Yant, which are geometrically designs that deemed to possess magic powers of protection, which was given by a monk or Arjarn (holy man) and would put Monh (magic) of prayers inside the design, which was written in Pali Sanskrit. He said that when he had his done, the pain was excruciating, it started by the holy man chanting in ancient Sanskrit while sticking him with the sharp needles, and then with the final blow of breath on his back then it was done, and I guess the blow sealed the magic. He was a former soldier in Laos, therefore needed the tattoo for protection, and said that most of his fellow soldiers also had theirs’, some on their backs and others on their arms or legs. When he came to the US, he had Arjarn (holy man) to undo the Monh (magic), so his tattoo currently has no magical power.
young monk tattoos
(Above photo: A young monk has a tattoo of prayers added to his back at Wat Bang Phra, Thailand; photo by Stephen Shaver)
There are other designs such as the lion (Singhto), which is a symbol of bravery and cunning. Thai men would choose a tiger design, not just a picture of a tiger but tattoo their body to look like tiger, many have had designs that covered every square inches of their body. The reason for the tiger design is that Thai people, especially the Lanna, believed that their ancestors were once tiger, therefore to show respect and in remembrance of their ancestors, they’d choose the tiger design. Another popular one is the hanuman, which is the Hindu monkey god, which is to protect against illness, against being shot, against being cut, and to give courage. These tattoos are not like the modern tattoos that are merely a fashion statement, but more of a cultural belief and most, if not all have Monh (magic) of prayers in the design, of course, along with the tattoo came few rules that one has to follow to keep the magic strong, such as women are not to touch your head or rub your hair, you couldn’t walk under a clothesline, couldn’t eat certain foods, couldn’t eat at a funeral home (a wake), and the list goes on.
thai tattoos design tiger tattoo design
dragon tattoo lion tattoo tattoo design
tattoo design
Back in the olden day, if you were a young man and had no tattoo on your body, forget about finding a girl friend or a wife because most girls would not give you their time of the day, they would only choose the one with tattoo; they believed that if you couldn’t stand the pain, how could you protect them. Such a relief for the modern Lao and Thai men; aren’t some of you single guys out there glad that you don’t have to go out and get tattoos.
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Is Tattoo Just A Body Art or A Cultural Sacred Design
Is Tattoo Just A Body Art or A Cultural Sacred Design
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When a country has conjured-up one of the most amazing styles of body art around, how on earth can it be so idiotic as to ban it? This is a question that tattoo enthusiasts have been deliberating over for a number of decades now, but luckily for us, this style has broken out of the Far East and has made it to our shores.

Japanese tattoo designs really do make for some of the most impressive pieces of body art you are ever likely to see; Fact! The use of color and black and grey shading will grab anyone's attention and as this style is so versatile, it will look great when applied to any part of the body.

One of the main central themes is dragons. These legendary beasts always include very detailed work: literally down to the last scale on the dragon's body. The dragons will often be colored with very vibrant shades which will then be surrounded by plenty of panelling or swirls. A black background helps to make the central feature stand out.

Other popular features include Geisha girls and coy fish. Coy fish look especially great as a forearm piece and are even more effective when surrounded by Japanese wave patterns. Include some water lilies within this design and you will have a fashionable and awesome Japanese piece to treasure.

Traditionally, before the style of tattooing was banned in Japan, body art was often taken to the extreme of a complete body suit. As it is becoming more and more acceptable to get heavily tattooed today, many people turn to these styles for extensive work.

Japanese designs are very masculine in appearance and usually make for the best larger pieces. They can be found as smaller designs and always look better on men. If you are looking for a feminine piece, it is usually a good idea to dispense with the extensive background panelling.

There has been a phenomenal growth of traditional Japanese tattoo designs in the past few years. It used to be that tattoos were relegated to the Yakuza or Japanese gangs and the criminals in the society. Just the site of a tattoo used to and still can strike fear into people. However, Japan is a rapidly changing country and they are starting to see the value in tattoos and more and more people have a deep respect for them. For most tattoo artists and tattoo enthusiasts alike Japanese designs have always been sought after. Here are some Japanese tattoo meanings and design ideas to help give you a guide of some possibilities if you are interested in getting such a design.

Cherry Blossom Tattoos

For the Japanese the cherry blossom is seen to represent life itself. The flower is a thing of great beauty. It is strong in that is pushes itself and blooms in harsh conditions and climates and often comes out when the snow is first melting. Yet it is paradoxically fragile at the same time. It is fragile because it will only last a few days and then it will fall from the tree and land in the snow. The Japanese view this as a representation of life itself. Life should be lived to extreme beauty and everyday should be lived to it's fullest. Yet one must always be aware of the possibility of death and therefore with the eventuality of death live life even more fully. This is a great tattoo and a symbol that is laden with powerful reminders and a great guide to how each individual should live their life.

Koi Fish Tattoos

Koi fish are probably the second most powerful symbol in tattoo designs in general but also fro the Japanese. Koi fish can been seen in front of almost every temple throughout Japan. The myth states that the Koi fish swim back up stream against the current to eventually read a bridge or a gate. If they can make it to the gate they are turned into dragons and magically fly away to start a new life. The symbolism behind this design is one of perseverance which is a very deep and important concept for the Japanese. In fact they have many more words to describe perseverance, effort and sticking with something in the language then we do in English.

Samurai

Samurai of course lived by the code of Bushido. There is not enough room here to full explain the code of Bushido but it deals with living life to the fullest, being prepared to die in service and being loyal and strong. The concepts of Bushido are pretty much at the heart of all Japanese values and morals and also what is taught to most young kids over and over again through stories. You could say the code of Bushido is the heart of the Japanese culture and beliefs. Samurai's and samurai tattoos of course are the best symbol of these beliefs.