Thousands of Buddhists in Thailand go into trance after receiving ‘holy tattoos’

Thousands of Thai Buddhists went into trance after they received “holy tattoos” at the yearly Magic Tattoo Festival on Saturday. The event was held at Wat Bang Phra in Nakhon Pathom Province.

The Telegraph reports that local Buddhists believe the tattoo, or ‘sak yants,’ have mystical powers, protects them from danger and bad luck. The temple’s master tattooist, Luang Por Pern, uses ink made from herbs, snake venom and cigarette ash.

Expertvagabond explains that the supernatural power of the tattoos wear off over time. It needs to be re-blessed and recharged. The festival, besides paying respect to Por Pern, infuses new magic into the sak yants.

The tattoos were originally intended for warriors as protection against arrows and knives from piercing their skins and to gain strength for battle. Some of the warriors are covered from head to toe with the tattoos.

The monks used steel rods to apply the new magic ink. While this was going on, some devotees during serene moments, offered flowers and lit incense as show of respect for Por Pern.

The Latin American Herald Tribune reports that many devotees went into trance-like states by becoming briefly the animals – tiger, crocodile, old man or Hanuman, the Hindu monkey god - painted on their bodies. Some screamed and lurched around while the monks were spraying the crowd with holy water. To place the participants out of trance, soldiers and paramedics rub their ears.

Others went up the stage to receive personal blessings. The festival is held yearly, every March, and usually attracts about 10,000 male participants, including foreigners.