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The Magical Tattoos of Cambodia

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2017.09.12

Tattoos are considered fashionable in Cambodia and it has become easy to find places to get inked, however there is another type of tattoo that can also be found in the area that may require something more than a needle and ink.

Soldiers, policemen and even boxers, praise the power of protection given to them from traditional Cambodian tattoos saying, “If I have this, I cannot lose. These tattoos give me protection against enemies and other danger”.

This is an old Cambodian belief from long ago.

These magic tattoos use motifs such as geometric patterns, animals and ancient incantations written in Pali, which is the traditional language of Theravada Buddhist scripts.

They are believed to protect the tattooed person against any danger, from a speeding bullet to snake bites or even protection against disease.

According to a former tattoo artist (57), the most important part of this practice is for the artist to say prayers in the Pali language, as mentioned above, before inking their client, making the tattoo itself into a talisman that guards against evil.

Mr. Kong Kompheak (38) is a security guard who has some of these magical tattoos, “I got tattooed more than 15 years ago and I can guarantee it still protects me.

I have not met with danger even once,” but he continues, “There are some people who still look at my tattoos as a sign of being a gang member”.

Even so, it does look like the world view regarding tattoos is changing.

Photo & Text : Samrith Pisda, Va Pov