Yant
Kneeling Warrior in Wai
A kneeling figure with a topknot in the wai gesture, a staff and sword behind him and a vertical line of Khom script.
✦Meaning & Background
A kneeling figure with a topknot brings the hands together in the wai, the Thai gesture of greeting and respect. Behind him stand a staff and a sword, and a vertical line of Khom script runs along his back. Strength and reverence sit in one image here: the weapon is present but not raised.
✦More about this design
The wai, hands together before the chest, returns in the Thai tradition at every moment of respect. In this drawing the figure kneels with it, weapons resting behind him. That makes it a different kind of warrior image than the Hanuman with flag or the leaping tiger, where the movement pushes forward. The vertical line of Khom script along the back follows the line of the body. You see the same build in the lotus with a vertical mantra and in the four vertical mantra lines: the script runs top to bottom with the place where it will sit. Exactly which figure is pictured here is something Silas will go through with you before any work starts. In the meantime, browse all Sak Yant designs and read about all Sak Yant symbols, or book an appointment.
✦Frequently asked questions
What is the wai gesture?
The wai is the Thai gesture in which the palms are brought together before the chest. It stands for greeting, thanks and respect.
Why do the weapons rest behind the figure?
They rest rather than being raised. That turns the image towards controlled strength instead of the attack itself.
Is it known which figure this depicts?
The name is not settled yet. Silas goes through the background of this design personally during the intake; nothing is filled in that is not accurate.
