Spells & Sigils: The Magic & Mastery of Thai Sacred Tattoos | Joe Cummings | TEDxChiangMai

Drawing on the research for his book “Sacred Tattoos of Thailand: Exploring the Magic, Masters and Mystery of Sak Yan” (2012), writer Joe Cummings provides insights into the ancient traditions of the sacred tattoo art practiced in Thailand, covering the historical background of tattoos, their cultural and religious significance through the ages, their more esoteric role in the spiritual traditions, and their modern day resurgence in popularity. His research helped him understand the links between sacred tattoos, Buddhism and Thai culture. Thai tattoos have a deeper meaning than being works of art. They confer protection but it is the wearer's personal morality that sustains their powers. This talk is in English. www.tedxchiangmai.com
Joe Cummings was born in New Orleans and raised in California, France and Washington, DC. An interest in Buddhism drew Joe to Thailand, where he taught English before returning to the US to earn a master's degree in South Asian Civilization at the University of California at Berkeley. His Lonely Planet Thailand guide, first published in 1982, remains one of the bestselling guidebooks ever published. Reference books he has written include “Sacred Tattoos of Thailand”, “Buddhist Stupas in Asia”, “Buddhist Temples of Thailand”, “Burmese Art, Design & Architecture”, “Muay Thai”, and “Lanna Renaissance.” Joe’s honours include the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Gold Award (twice) and Mexico's Pluma de Plata (Silver Quill) for outstanding foreign journalism on Mexico.
sacredtattoosofthailand.com
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

Пікірлер: 106

  • @hecatesnightfall9121
    @hecatesnightfall91212 жыл бұрын

    I use my tattoos in prayer. Very powerful.

  • @user-oc5ey2ku3g

    @user-oc5ey2ku3g

    2 жыл бұрын

    Pardon my question, How is it very powerful..? In which way?

  • @ryanmarlowe20

    @ryanmarlowe20

    Жыл бұрын

    Yes, please expand on this :~)

  • @jonathankhine4073

    @jonathankhine4073

    8 ай бұрын

    I don't know which tattoo/s you meant is. I'm from around that thai/burma areas, tattoos from there are spells and some kind of white good magic for good luck also protections. The spells tattoos is powerful only when the person must follow some of dos/donts in their life. Don't worry, those tattoos will never ever work like Harry Potter.

  • @kobalt77
    @kobalt772 жыл бұрын

    I never knew about any of this. Absolutely fascinating. Thank you.

  • @Happyhippy70
    @Happyhippy702 жыл бұрын

    Amazing, did my first sigil today.

  • @atarii_ak8609

    @atarii_ak8609

    Жыл бұрын

    yo thinking of getting my own very soon plz share your most notable experience after getting it that you feel was because of the sigil. i’m doing research rn tryna make sure i don’t get myself into something i’m not ready for

  • @nathoechandeni8832

    @nathoechandeni8832

    Жыл бұрын

    And how is the sigil working till now? @tammyseguin3890

  • @wisdomfortranscendence6220

    @wisdomfortranscendence6220

    Жыл бұрын

    @@atarii_ak8609 I’m a tattoo artist and created my own for protection, self love, and self assurance. It’s on my right hand on the side of my thumb so that i have visibility of it and it is on the side of my body that is about action and the outside world. I’ve had it for like over a week now, it definitely has helped me a lot already. Its my power stance towards the world and has honestly helped embody a deep transformation in my life towards the highest version of myself. I preformed a ritual while creating the tattoo in order to keep a steady focus of intention and charge it! I use it as a tool to reflect, align, faith, and overall confidence (: If you get a symbol from another culture, be sure to do extensive research bc you are marking your body with the essence of that symbol, and be guided by your intuition, not your eyes. I hope you still get it!!

  • @4tmbankroll550
    @4tmbankroll550 Жыл бұрын

    My wife is from SouthEast Asia Can't wait to show her this Very informative

  • @samcruz9941
    @samcruz99413 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for sharing some knowledge

  • @TheMrpoet
    @TheMrpoet Жыл бұрын

    So much that I don't know, so much that I do know. Watching this triggered memories of past lives when I had this knowledge.

  • @graywolf594
    @graywolf5943 жыл бұрын

    This is an outstanding video it taught me something about the magick of tattooing in Thailand

  • @mollyquade7521

    @mollyquade7521

    3 жыл бұрын

    ok

  • @forestdlg
    @forestdlg8 жыл бұрын

    Great talk about a fascinating culture

  • @2Smart4Uapes
    @2Smart4Uapes4 жыл бұрын

    I dont see how someone wanting personal gain makes you a bad person. Whats wrong with wanting the best things in life. I understand now if you want to hurt people for no reason but other than that I disagree with that statement towards the end

  • @nikolaimaharaj2319

    @nikolaimaharaj2319

    4 жыл бұрын

    Yh so true what's actually wrong with having genuine desires, all you want to do is be happy

  • @GameExpert36

    @GameExpert36

    4 жыл бұрын

    I'm guessing here. Maybe bc the disciples had to follow a strict code. Personal gain is very broad, but maybe in this case it's anything that goes against this code, furthering the practitioner's discipline

  • @WhisperingWindow

    @WhisperingWindow

    4 жыл бұрын

    I suspect that it has to do with the tenets of their beliefs. We are a communal species and caring love and kindness is to be shared amongst us. It is not everyone for themselves, it is everyone for everyone. Someone more versed in their particular beliefs could describe it better. But personal gain is something valued in certain societies like the US more than it is elsewhere. In other cultures they emphasize that they cannot exist without each other, and it is communal gain that is valued over personal gain. It's not that it makes you a "bad person" it just makes you lost in your own mind. Part of what gives power to these things is the beliefs behind them. So when you fail to value what is considered relevant, it weakens you, and therefore the tattoo. He was just fishing about for a short way to reference the way they see the world as differing from ours. In the US we assume that the way to happiness is by following our desires and getting them. However, the opposite is considered true by Buddhism. They believe desires themselves to cause unhappiness or suffering. So to focus on personal gain, ie to the exclusion of the community, would be considered to cause suffering and by extension the loss of spiritual powers one may have gained by living in a way that suits the human spirit.

  • @sophien5416

    @sophien5416

    3 жыл бұрын

    In Buddhism, personal gain is a trait of desire and desire brings suffering, yes it can make you happy in a temporary sense; HOWEVER, it keeps you in the karmic cycle of desire from which other traits are may arise from focusing too much on gain (fear of loss, judgment, pride, obsession etc...). So one of the core tenants in Buddhist teaching is to let go of desire in order to let go of suffering. Inner peace and enlightenment is the goal.

  • @lalamcgreenlight8478

    @lalamcgreenlight8478

    3 жыл бұрын

    Should be mutual exchange. Transfer of energy like I do this for u and u this for me.. Consciously mutually Benificial so no resentment or taking advantage or feeling used or personal gain can occur we should all do mutually beneficial transactions then we all win

  • @johnwillsail
    @johnwillsail8 жыл бұрын

    great topic!

  • @healthyhobo5270
    @healthyhobo52708 жыл бұрын

    Awesome

  • @Narith5555
    @Narith55555 жыл бұрын

    good channel i support u 👍👍👍👍👍👍

  • @asvezesfadaasvezessereia
    @asvezesfadaasvezessereia2 жыл бұрын

    Tattooes are also very important, it must mean something to your life!

  • @t3nduce
    @t3nduce Жыл бұрын

    Yeat

  • @paulhargreaves9103
    @paulhargreaves9103 Жыл бұрын

    Placebo……….. it is your mind (intentions) that have the power.

  • @brentmcclung8531
    @brentmcclung85314 жыл бұрын

    Brother I need a question answered, I'm Clairvoyant and two weeks ago I had a dream where a guy and girl got into a motorcycle accident, about two hours ago I just missed by seconds a guy and girl killed riding on a motorcycle can sigil magick help me to help people? there has to be a way.

  • @eloydejong1088

    @eloydejong1088

    4 жыл бұрын

    Brent Mcclung Hello friends No need to wast your time on this because i tried it but it didn't work for me until a friend of mine directed me to a great baba in Africa who did a love spell for me and after two days my ex came back to me saying sorry and begging so i am using this great opportunity to drop the baba contact via whatsAAp (+23408072430195)

  • @rathkhan1114

    @rathkhan1114

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@eloydejong1088 Do you have baba contact brother?

  • @twistsnkicks

    @twistsnkicks

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@rathkhan1114 I hope you didn't call that number. If you did, good chance your number is now being passed around by scammers.

  • @missmimi6817

    @missmimi6817

    2 жыл бұрын

    I am a medium as well and believe Yes you can access power to help somebody using sigils

  • @VoidraMusic
    @VoidraMusic5 жыл бұрын

    I have 6 Sankyant tattoos on my back, 1 on my right forearm, and 2 each on my fingers

  • @blackhole4

    @blackhole4

    5 жыл бұрын

    Have you noticed a difference in your life since you’ve got them?

  • @blackhole4

    @blackhole4

    4 жыл бұрын

    young owl what amulets?

  • @yohbahmerci786
    @yohbahmerci7864 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much this may help me remove a particular witchcraft agenda directed to me through tatous

  • @remid8072

    @remid8072

    4 жыл бұрын

    *** Tattoos

  • @SI-ln6tc

    @SI-ln6tc

    3 жыл бұрын

    Best of luck.

  • @gylesbutler
    @gylesbutler2 жыл бұрын

    Are there any negative side effects from using a sigil?

  • @nayrtnartsipacify

    @nayrtnartsipacify

    2 жыл бұрын

    Is there any negative side effects of using a knife?

  • @laugheveryday5870

    @laugheveryday5870

    2 жыл бұрын

    Wtf

  • @Happyhippy70

    @Happyhippy70

    2 жыл бұрын

    Depending on how you use it. Just like anything.

  • @skyline3053

    @skyline3053

    2 жыл бұрын

    Make sure you are not using words such as Can't, Don't, also try not to influence other peoples free will.

  • @kat64470

    @kat64470

    Жыл бұрын

    Yeah the demons attached to them don't like it when you try to stop

  • @plagueinsideme
    @plagueinsideme5 жыл бұрын

    Kao yot has nothing with Meru peaks

  • @top5in512
    @top5in5128 ай бұрын

    🔮

  • @tripontube365
    @tripontube3655 жыл бұрын

    Wow you pronounciation is so similar with Thai accent

  • @laurenceoni

    @laurenceoni

    3 жыл бұрын

    I can't fuckin understand when he pronounces the names of the stuff lol

  • @yrmyahu8
    @yrmyahu810 ай бұрын

    At 9:42 they spliced to audio to hide that he said mount meru which is a gold mountain at the center of the earth referred to as the axis of the earth…you see they tell you what they want you to know never the whole of the story if I didn’t read I wouldn’t know what he meant but I caught that shxt after listening several times and you can to

  • @slimturnpike

    @slimturnpike

    2 ай бұрын

    It's just an audio glitch, and I can still hear him say the word Meru. Cummings' books also go deep into Mt Meru cosmology. The idea that someone wants to hide such info is ludicrous. It's found in literally tens of thousands of publications and public lectures.

  • @TristonPendarvis
    @TristonPendarvis4 жыл бұрын

    man i clicked on the wrong vid

  • @holypower7330
    @holypower73303 жыл бұрын

    This clown needed to do his homework, It originated from Cambodia it written in Khmer Language . Sak translates in Khmer is Tattoo , Yant translates in Khmer is Protection . And Muy Thai in from Cambodia, Muy translates in Khmer is One

  • @uwuimabtch4899

    @uwuimabtch4899

    Жыл бұрын

    It is really hurt as a Cambodian.

  • @slimturnpike

    @slimturnpike

    Жыл бұрын

    Not true. It originated among Tai cultures living in SW China and NW Vietnam 500 to 1000 years ago. Tai sacred tattoos use Khmer, Lao, Shan, Lanna and Tai Lu scripts, depending on the region and the master. The word sak in Khmer is of Tai origin.

  • @nkenchington6575
    @nkenchington65758 жыл бұрын

    Tattoos help the detective to solve investigations?! I'm sure that's reassuring for the victims' families...

  • @slimturnpike

    @slimturnpike

    8 жыл бұрын

    In Thailand, it is.

  • @nkenchington6575

    @nkenchington6575

    8 жыл бұрын

    And when it leads nowhere? Secularism is increasing here, thankfully.

  • @br0l0g

    @br0l0g

    7 жыл бұрын

    Nick Kenchington And a day you're not stupid, that will never come unfortunately

  • @sachinssharma2
    @sachinssharma24 жыл бұрын

    And now the video is removed...welldone

  • @Happyhippy70

    @Happyhippy70

    2 жыл бұрын

    No it's not lol

  • @hocksoonlim2069
    @hocksoonlim2069 Жыл бұрын

    活着就要精进学习。头脑才会灵话。因53童年时也如此。

  • @piccolinapicco1003
    @piccolinapicco10033 жыл бұрын

    Ok little bit about everything, in general the video was not informational.

  • @kyawkyawwin1
    @kyawkyawwin17 жыл бұрын

    Joe Cummings - the notorious plagiarist.

  • @keristevenson2757

    @keristevenson2757

    5 жыл бұрын

    Drive Easy why do you say this, is he taking someone else’s work? Just curious.

  • @dacellovelly4775
    @dacellovelly47757 жыл бұрын

    this white man is not correct about Jolies tattoo. she got that in Cambodia because it is in its purest form

  • @slimturnpike

    @slimturnpike

    6 жыл бұрын

    You are wrong. Thai tattoo master Ajahn Noo Ganpai did the work. Do your homework.

  • @plagueinsideme

    @plagueinsideme

    5 жыл бұрын

    You are right, she's got it in Kamboja. But it was made by Noo Kanpai.

  • @Machasism

    @Machasism

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@slimturnpike yup, exactly. It was done by Aj Noo in Pathum Thani (which IS IN THAILAND)...listen timeline 5.45

  • @slimturnpike

    @slimturnpike

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@plagueinsideme she got it in Thailand.

  • @davidk7441

    @davidk7441

    4 жыл бұрын

    Ladyboy

  • @sydidd
    @sydidd2 жыл бұрын

    This is absolutely Shirk and Haram thing......Only God to be asked for help...

  • @Happyhippy70

    @Happyhippy70

    2 жыл бұрын

    I do include God, he gave us Mother Azna, Mother Earth, guidance from the heavens. God is in everything. God is very passionate about us. That or he would have let us go. He loves his creations. As do I. I AM here to manifest God's business. On that note I have everything I need. The universe is the almighty God the creator of all things.

  • @NightmareFuelsYou

    @NightmareFuelsYou

    2 жыл бұрын

    Religious types who claim that they are unable to help themselves because only God can. Did God give you free will or didnt He?

  • @NightmareFuelsYou

    @NightmareFuelsYou

    2 жыл бұрын

    You must also be unable to sin, because only God can do that for you