Occult & Esoterica
[THAI OCCULT] Pha Yant (Hand drawn cloth with magic squares, spells and more, possibly on corpse cloth)
[THAI OCCULT] Pha Yant (Hand drawn cloth with magic squares, spells and more, possibly on corpse cloth)
2-sided Cloth, measuring 31 × 12 inches. Drawn by hand. It may be a portion of what once was a larger cloth but it is difficult to say for certain. Images on the cloth show magic squares, geometrical designs, and written spells. Spells and designs are on both sides of the cloth. There are some stains on the cloth which may be old blood stains, thus indicating the possibility that this was a corpse cloth (a cloth used to cover a dead body shortly after the body was found). Dating of this cloth is unclear but appears to be at least from the late 20th century but possibly earlier. It is folded and is in very good condition. See photos.
'Pha Yant', means a piece of linen cloth, covered with inscriptions and imagery, to form a Sacred Geometrical design. The various designs and spells inscribed upon them have different powers and effects, depending on their nature. They are intended to be carried in the pocket, or placed on the wall or ceiling, or even worn on ones own head or special Ceremonies. The Pha Yant vary in size ranging from the size of a handkerchief, to the size of a large bedsheet.
These days, most Pha Yant are printed by a printing machine, and receive mass blessing and a stamp form the temple using a rubber ink stamp. But in the olden days, masters would inscribe the Yantra and the Sacred Agkhara spells on the cloths with their own hand, performing incantations thorughout the whole process, and meditative empowerment as they worked. This also meant that each Pha Yant was an original work of art in itself. It is now a bit more difficult to find such hand made old yantra cloths.