Takrut

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Takrut (ตะกรุด) is a type of tubular amulet that originated from Thailand.  It is also known as "Tangkai" in other cultures.  The takrut is similar to a talisman ( / transliterated: ).  
The word Takrut, is used for both Singular and Plural, although many people do add an 's' (Takruts).  However, the proper way to refer to takrut when in plural, is 'Takrut'. 

They are worn by Thai people as a protective amulet and have existed for thousands of years.  They are by rule, a talisman that is an elongated shape, taking the shape of a scroll.  The scroll can be made of any type of metal, paper, leaf, papyrus, animal skin, or many other mediums, including bamboo and wood vines.  They are mostly worn on a cord around the waist, but are also often seen accompanying amulet on neck chains.  The Sacred Inscriptions made upon the Takrut are a form of Sacre Geometry based in Thai Buddhist and Ancient vedic and animist traditions, which has come to be a very well known Niche Topic around the world since the Hollywood movie star Angelina Jolie received a Sak Yant Tattoo, which is also a yantra like a Takrut, except tattooed in the skin.  Also, since the existence of the now well known website on Sak Yant (sak-yant.com) and the more anthropological and academic website 'sakyant.org', both run by Ajarn Spencer Littlewood, (citation needed) it has caused a great increase in the amount of interest in both the tattooed aspect of sacred geometry and the beliefs in its magical powers, as well as in the Takrut Amulet, which is one of the most favored types of Thai amulet. 

Yant (ยันต์, talisman) are incantations and sacred geometry designs with Pali gatha and Buddhist prayers (Invocations and Empowerment Spells), usually, but not always inscribed using the Ancient Khom Pali (looks very similar to Khmer).  In Northern Thailand, they use Lanna script and works just like Khom, except very similar to the actual Lanna script. 
 The takrut is used for all purposes from Maha Sanaeh (attraction), Metta Mahaniyom (Business Success and Popularity), Mercy Charm, Maha Pokasap/Lap (Riches attraction), and Kong Grapan (Invincibility). 

Potential takeouts include gems, especially engraved gems, statues, coins, drawings, pendants, rings, plants and animals; even words in the form of a magical spell, incantation, to repel evil or bad luck. 

Variations of traditional takrut
Takrut are usually put inside a special type of case and worn with a chain around the neck at chest level.  They are also worn about the waist but can also be worn as most pieces of jewelry.  They are worn about the body to protect specific parts of the body or to grant power to those body parts.  But whether it is worn at the chest or the waist, its purpose is still the same: to give protection to its wearer.  Some smaller takrut can be kept between the teeth to allow the carrier to be a more powerful speaker.  This power is called sariga, a golden tongued celestial magpie, featured in Vedic and Thai Buddhist Legends. 

See also

 Kuman thong
 Yantra tattooing

Notes

References

Related Links

 Informations about Thai Takut (Fr)
 A large selection of authentic Takut amulets
 Takut amulets 

Category:Amulets
Category:Superstitions of Thailand