Thai Tattoos
ลายสักไทย
By Baan Khagee Tattoo Chiang Mai, Thailand
Thai Tattoos at Baan Khagee Tattoo Chiang Mai, Thailand
Our Thai tattoos are humbly inspired by Thai culture and nature. They represent Thai culture and nature mainly
Through a form of mythical creature such as
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Thai Naga - a serpent-like creature with decorative head crest
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Thai Garuda - a half human-half eagle mythical creature
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Thai Hanuman - an ultimate monkey soldier in Ramakien epic.
There are the word “Thai” in front all of these creatures because the origin of this belief was influenced by Hinduism when it once came to this region long time ago. But then it merged with local belief, shaped by time and here we have our own Thai versions of them.
Through a form of our national animal, which is Thai elephant.
And also through a form of Thai nature and plants.
Thai Naga Tattoos
What is Thai Naga?
Thai Naga (Pha ya nak) is a serpent-like mythical creature with the decorative head crest, which is highly revered in Thai Buddhist culture. The belief of Thai Naga always associates with river, especially with Mekong river in Chiang Rai and the northeast of Thailand (Isan). People in the area believe that they have been sharing long and deep connection with the Naga. And have also believed that the Naga brought agricultural abundance, which has led the people to perform ceremonies related to the Naga since very long time ago.
Thai people generally also believe that the Naga is a Buddhism’s guardian. You may often see them in front of sacred buildings at Thai temples and also see them through Buddhist ceremonies, art, mythologies and folklores.
Where did the Thai Naga belief come from?
When and where did the Thai Naga belief come from haven’t been 100% proved yet until these days but the root of this belief might have started since very long time back.
Throughout world history, snake had often been part of ancient human’s belief, rituals and folklores. Either because of we feared them or respected them.
These objects are displayed in Taiwan National Museum and they all have snake crafted on them which shows the connection between snake and human since the ancient time.
In prehistoric Thailand, we have also found snake painting on vessels in Ban Chiang, which was one of the most important prehistoric agricultural settlement in Southeast Asia. This very well shows us a long connection between human and snake since 2000-3000 years ago.
Now fast forward to more recent historic period when countries as we now know hadn’t been formed yet. At some time along the way, people, who lived alongside Mekong river (Chiang Rai, some Northeast of Thailand and Laos), might have shifted their belief of snake, and gradually turned them into ancestors/holy spirit who protected the people, Mekong river and provided agricultural abundance.
Mekong river map
Decorative Thai Naga at Ho Kum Luang (Royal Pavilion)
Later on, big change had happed which was emerging of Buddhism and Hinduism from India. And from believing in nature spirit, people then embraced the new religions more. But instead of totally converting themselves to the new religions, people adapted their old beliefs to go along with the new one, and from snake which was believed as holy spirit, now transformed into Naga which was now held as demigod (a serpent with decorated head crest).
In Thailand now, the Naga belief have been spread throughout the country and might be different depending on places, which reflects long-deep connection between human and snake or Naga. And even though the Naga might not psychically exist (for most people), but they certainly exist spiritually.
Naga fireball festival
The Naga fireball is a traditional festival held annually at the end of Buddhist Lent in Nong Khai and Bueng Kan provinces. The festival was originally established to see the phenomenon "Naga Fireballs" rising from the Mekong River, on the night of the end of Buddhist Lent (the 15th day of the waxing moon in the 11th lunar month).
The fireball is pinkish-red with no smoke, no noise, and no smell. Sizes ranging from the size of a thumb to the size of a chicken egg or an orange. It floats up to a height of about 50-150 meters and then disappears into the air without the characteristic arc falling down like a firework.
It is believed to be a fireball that the Naga in the underworld spit out as an offering to the Buddha.
** The fireball has been scientifically proved that it could happen naturally. But in the meantime, there are also evidences showing that it's a human-made thing (well maybe more fireball looks nicely in the sky).
But anyway, some belief might not need to be proved scientifically. And long it doesn't hurt, then maybe it's better to have greater spiritual power to lean on.
Full sleeve Thai Naga tattoo with flow
Thai Naga tattoo with wild plants
Flowing Thai Naga tattoo
Thai Naga scales' details
Thai Naga tattoo with aesthetic flow
Thai Naga tattoo with flow
Thai Naga tattoo with flow
Thai Naga tattoo with flow
Thai Naga tattoo with flow
Blue Thai Naga tattoo
Thai Naga tattoo with flow
Thai Naga tattoo with flow
Thai Naga tattoo with flow
Thai Naga tattoo
Thai Krut & Naga tattoo
Thai Naga tattoo with flow
Thai Naga tattoo with flow
Thai Naga tattoo with flow
Thai Naga tattoo with flow
Blue Thai Naga tattoo with flow
Thai Naga tattoo with flow
Thai Naga tattoo with flow
Fern tattoo with Thai Naga
Thai Naga tattoo
Thai fine line Naga tattoo
Thai fine line Naga tattoo
Available Thai Naga tattoo designs
Thai culture & nature inspired tattoos
Other than Thai Naga, our other Thai culture and nature inspired tattoos includes;
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Thai mythical creature like Thai Garuda and Hanuman
Thai Garuda (Pha ya krut) is a half human - half eagle mythical creature (or regarded as demi-god). He resides in magical forest according to the belief of Thai Buddhism. Garuda is also a symbol of Thai monarchy and used as official symbol.
Thai Hanuman is an ultimate monkey soldier in Ramakien (A Thailand’s national epic) which was inspired by the great Ramayana from Hinduism. He is a symbol of bravery and loyalty, and also depicted a great fighter and often associated with magic.
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Thai elephant
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Thai animal and bird
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Thai plants
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Thai art
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Thai script/writing
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Thai symbol
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Thai Sak yant/ yantra (we can't read the language though)
Thai Hanuman tattoo
Thai Garuda and Naga tattoo
Thai monk tattoo
Thai Garuda tattoo
Thai elephant footprints tattoo
Orange Jasmine and Amaranth flowers tattoo
Thai twin tigers sak yant tattoo
Thai Garuda tattoo with lotus flowers
Thai countryside tattoo
Thai Garuda tattoo
Full back Thai Sakyant tattoo
Thai lotus flowers and volcano tattoo
Asian elephants vs African elephants
Elephants are commonly categorized into 2 species which are Asian elephants and African elephants.
These 2 species are quite different from one another and once you know the differences, it will be easy to tell them apart. Let's go see what the differences are then.
Asian elephant vs African elephant
Asian elephant vs African elephant
Asian elephants
twin-domed head shape
smaller ears
smaller body
only male can have tusks
one "finger" at its trunk
African elephants
single dome head shape
larger ears
larger body
both male and female can have tusks
two "fingers" at its trunk
Thai elephant tattoo
Thai elephant stamp tattoo
Realistic Thai elephant tattoo
Thai elephant tattoo with flow
Thai Elephant Tattoo with flow
Thai Elephant Tattoo with Chinese charecter
Thai elephant tattoo with orchid flowers
Thai elephant tattoo with dark art
Realistic Thai elephant tattoo with Thai art
Blackwork realistic Thai elephant tattoo
Thai illustrative elephant tattoo
Thai elephant tattoo with country side scene
Thai Ganesha tattoo
Thai Elephant Tattoo with fern leaves
Thai elephant tattoo with blossom flowers
Thai Elephant Tattoo with flow
Thai elephant tattoo with compass
Thai elephant tattoo with fine linework
Realistic Thai elephant tattoo
Realistic Thai baby elephant tattoo
Realistic Thai grandma elephant tattoo
Thai elephant tattoo in the forest
Thai Festival
Yipeng or Loy Krathong
Yipeng or lantern festival is a traditional Lanna festival held annually on the 15th day of the waxing moon of the 12th lunar month. There are also other (but similar) traditional festivals held in different parts throughout Thailand on the day, as part of a shared culture in this region. And for Thailand, this day is known for “Loy Krathong”.
According to legend, this Yipeng festival might have been first established to pay tribute to the people’s ancestor by letting “krathong” floating onto the river but now the tribute might be extended to nature/holy spirit. The activities on this day now could include people gathering at their local temples for monk’s prayers, releasing a lantern into the sky, playing with man-made firework (mostly in countryside area), and decorating their house with lanterns and lighting up small candles.
Thai Garuda tattoo
Thai Oriental magpie robin bird tattoo
Thai water buffalo tattoo
Thai Sakyant tiger tattoo
Thai Sakyant tiger tattoo
Thai fine line lotus tattoo with Naga
Realistic elephant tattoo with Thai art
Jellyfish tattoo with Thai Plumeria flowers
Thai Jasmine flowers tattoo with abstract flow
Chiang Mai red truck tattoo
Thai stamps tattoo
Thai font tattoo
Thai Lanna lantern tattoo
Thai Hanuman sak yant tattoo
Thai lotus tattoo
Thai fine line lotus flower tattoo
Minimal rainbow Thailand map tattoo
Thai bird of paradise flower tattoo
Songkran
Songkran in Thailand, traditional Thai New Year festival.
Songkran is Sanskrit word, means moving. It's the time of a year that Zodias changes from one to another and people has counted that as a New Year.
13th April is the last day of a year, 14th April is a day that's connecting between old and new, then 15th April is a New Year.
Not only Thailand that has been celebrating this New Year but also in many others; Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, some parts in India, Yunnan in China and Sri Lanka.
On Songkran festival, people will commonly clean both themselves as well as their houses and temple, to get all the bad things away. Also they will go get blessing from elders and definitely...enjoy the festival.
Octopus tattoo with Thai Butterfly pea flowers
Thai White-rumped shama bird tattoo
Thai/Indonesian deity tattoo
Thai Sakyant yogi tattoo
Thai Sakyant Genesha tattoo
Fine line Thai Elephant Tattoo with flowers
Thai fine line lotus tattoo with water wisp
Thai orchid flower tattoo
Thai Orchid flowers sleeve tattoo
Chiang Mai red truck tattoo
Minimal fine line Thai art tattoo
"Doi Inthanon" Thai mountains tattoo
Thai Lanna fine line lantern tattoo
Thai Sugriva sak yant tattoo
Minimal frog tattoo with Thai Unalome
Thai ornamental lotus flower tattoo
Thai lotus tattoo with Thai script
Thai Crown of thorns flower tattoo with abstract fine line art
Baan Khagee Tattoo Chiang Mai
"we not only love to present nature tattoos but we are literally in the nature"
Baan Khagee Tattoo Studio is located in the mountains in Mae Wang, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Mae Wang is a countryside area located further south from Chiang Mai city. Local people here still live in simple-relaxing lifestyles with diversity of cultures.
The surrounding is not only giving us calmness but also lots of inspiration both from nature and people.
