Sak Yant Chiang Mai: My Sacred Blessing (Tattoo Optional)

When people talk about getting Sak Yant in Chiang Mai, they’re usually thinking about receiving tattoos.

The sacred designs, which are etched into the skin by monks or ajarns (blessings masters), are believed to offer protection, luck and strength. But what many people don’t realize is that tattoos are only part of this tradition.

You can also choose to receive the blessing without getting the tattoo. Which is exactly what I did. I got to connect with the ritual behind Sak Yant for a truly immersive and rich cultural experience, without the ink.

Thank you to WSE for inviting me to experience this sacred blessing. All opinions and stories I’m sharing with you in this guide are entirely my own.

Click to book the traditional Sak Yant tattoo experience, or choose the inkless blessing like I did.

Tattoo or Inkless? 2 Ways to Receive Blessings in Chiang Mai

Spiritual practitioner adjusts a large golden ritual mask with a tall tiger patterned headdress on a seated woman inside a shrine room filled with statues offerings and flowers.

You might already be sold on the idea of receiving a traditional Sak Yant in Thailand, which is the actual tattoo itself. Many visitors crave this unique, spiritual experience.

Because of this, it’s important to do your research and make sure you’re booking with someone you can trust. The Sak Yant is more than a tattoo, which means you’ll want more than a tattoo artist to bless you with one.

What you want is a spiritual mentor. Each Ajarn who practices the art of Sak Yant brings their own style and specialty to the experience. You can choose who resonates most with you.

Choose an Ajarn and book your Sak Yant experience

Personally, I have no tattoos and no plans to get one. So, I’m grateful I was still able to experience receiving a blessing from a gifted Ajarn.

My session was personalized to me. I got to share with the Ajarn about what areas of my life I most wanted to receive blessings and guidance in, for support.

If you’re curious about Sak Yant but not ready to commit to the tattoo, this is a unique opportunity to experience the blessing itself.

Reserve your Sacred Nat Blessing with an Ajarn

My Sacred Nat Blessing Experience with Ajarn Tu Nametta

On the morning of my Nat Blessing, my guide for the day picked me up from my hotel in Chiang Mai.

While he drove, Khun Noi gave me more information about the Nat blessing.

We spoke about what the practice means to Thai people, what to expect during the experience, and his own Sak Yant experiences.

Interior shrine filled with Buddha statues monk portraits ritual masks and religious objects arranged across layered tables behind a patterned yellow prayer mat and small wooden stool.

Meeting Ajarn Tu Nametta

When we arrived at the Ajarn’s home, where the blessing would take place, we were greeted by his two cute dogs.

Visiting the Ajarn’s home was an experience in and of itself, as it took me out of central Chiang Mai to experience more residential scenery.

In his home, the Ajarn had a large room dedicated to his spiritual practice. There was so much to take in and observe.

I felt a bit overwhelmed as I steadied my breath to prepare for the ceremony. Even though I had some idea of what to expect, I felt a bit nervous!

I had been guided to prepare for the blessing in advance by thinking about what challenge in my life I most wanted blessings on from the Ajarn. I sat with my deeply personal answer and waited for it all to begin.

Because the Ajarn did not speak much English, Khun Noi was there to translate for me. Not only did he directly translate the Ajarn’s words throughout the ceremony, he also helped me understand everything that was going on during the ceremony.

He even captured some photos and videos for to remember this special experience! Having a dedicated, local guide helped me feel much more comfortable.

The Ceremony

The ceremony began with me presenting a traditional offering to the Ajarn of cigarettes, candles, fruit, flowers and a couple other items. This was all prepared for me by my guide as part of the experience I’d booked.

Woven tray on the temple floor holding offerings including a bunch of bananas white flowers incense sticks candles a bottle of water and small items placed for a ritual.

The Ajarn (through my guide) asked me what I needed support on in my life at that moment, which I shared with him.

He also asked for my birthday and my full name written out, so he could interpret more about my life through my horoscope.

I received guidance from the Ajarn based on his interpretations, and received blessings in several different ways. First, I watched him roll a candle with blessings.

Tattooed practitioner holds a long yellow candle or incense stick toward a woman seated across from him as offerings of bananas flowers incense and drinks sit between them during a ritual.

I was then instructed to stand at the altar just outside while the candle burned, and to reflect and pray. Once I was done, I placed the candle at the foot of the altar.

Back inside, the Ajarn prepared an herbal mixture and used a polished stick to apply it to my palms and face before placing gold leaf over it. As he did all this, the Ajarn spoke blessings and a protective spell.

It was really quite fascinating and like nothing I’d experienced before. At the end, the Ajarn gifted me a small, protective amulet to carry forth with me.

Woman sits cross legged on a patterned mat with gold leaf squares placed on her forehead and cheeks while a tattooed practitioner reaches forward to apply a ritual substance during a sak yant chiang mai blessing.

After the Ceremony

Feeling calm, balanced and invigorated after the ceremony Khun Noi and I got back into his car and drove to our next stop. He brought me to a small local market where I could buy a protective case for my amulet.

Glass display case packed tightly with dozens of Buddhist amulets and pendants in different shapes colors and metal frames arranged in rows.

After that, it was time for lunch! We went to a local place with shaded, outdoor tables filled with lively energy and enjoyed some chicken and rice together. I also tried my first thai iced tea, and discovered it was way too sweet for me!

Then, Khun Noi dropped me back off at my hotel. This was overall the most unique experience I had during my two weeks in Chiang Mai and I feel lucky to have had the experience.

Supporting Local Traditions and Local People

I was able to experience a sacred Nat blessing thanks to WSE, Where Sidewalk Ends, which is a travel company dedicated to curating purposeful experiences off the beaten path.

Their focus is on responsible and sustainable tourism, and I’ve now experienced this commitment twice: once in Oaxaca and most recently in Chiang Mai.

What really stuck with me as Khun Noi and I spoke on the way to meet Ajarn Tu Nametta was his own story. As I was asking questions about his life to get to know him better it surfaced his own path to WSE.

He shared with me about his early struggles with career pivots and how, more than a decade ago, WSE took a chance on him. He is now WSE’s General Manager in Thailand.

Stories like this reveal the heart behind a company, and I always feel best about supporting tour companies that in turn truly support the locals where they operate.

Tattooed practitioner uses a ritual wand to mark or bless the open palms of a seated woman while they face each other on the floor of a shrine surrounded by offerings incense and religious statues.

Final Considerations

If you’re a solo traveler like me, one thing to be aware of before booking with WSE is that these are usually private experiences.

If you are looking for a tour or experience to book where you’ll have an opportunity to meet fellow travelers, there are many available.

But when you book with WSE it’s truly more of a solo experience. However, you will always have a local guide with you.

Check out all of WSE’s Thailand Experiences