Step into any city or town, and tattoos are everywhere.
Dragons coil around arms, snakes wind across shoulders, giant wings spread across backs, delicate flowers bloom on wrists, and words are etched as personal mantras.
Once a mark of ritual and identity, tattoos have evolved into a modern form of fashion, artistry, and self-expression.
Yet when we examine this practice through the lens of Vasthu Sastra and ancient Ayurveda, questions arise: Is tattooing the body auspicious or inauspicious?
What energies do the symbols we carry forever on our skin invite into our lives?
Ancient Indian wisdom holds that the body is the temple of the soul, reminding us that tattooing is never merely skin-deep.
This perspective holds that the human form is a divine gift to be nurtured and respected, for it is through this vessel that we journey towards liberation.
Therefore, altering it with permanent markings is approached carefully because we must not harm our flawless skin.
According to Vasthu Sastra and astrologer Master Yuvaraj Sowma, it is an energetic act, for every symbol inscribed on the body resonates with its own vibration.
He said that when one carries an image or word permanently on their skin, it becomes part of their personal energy field, influencing mind, body, and spirit.
Tattooing itself is not alien to Indian tradition, as several indigenous and tribal communities saw tattoos as protective marks against the evil eye, indicators of clan identity, or symbols of devotion to a deity, he said.
Women, especially, often bore tattoos on their arms, foreheads, or legs to protect themselves from negative influences as a form of spiritual shield.
The difference lay in intent and the choice of symbols: they were always auspicious, devotional, and protective.
Spiritual sciences stress that symbols are not passive, and they carry vibrations and invite the energies they represent.
Thus, the type of tattoo one chooses is of great importance.
Sacred and auspicious tattoo symbols, such as the Aum, the lotus, the Trishul, the chakra, the peacock feather, or divine names, can strengthen one’s spiritual energy and offer protection.
They also serve as daily reminders of devotion and higher purpose.
However, it is generally not encouraged to inscribe divine images or holy symbols on the body, as we live in a material world and must remain mindful not to overindulge or overexpose ourselves to spiritual energies in ways that may create imbalance.
Conversely, tattoos depicting wild or aggressive images such as dragons, snakes, scorpions, skulls, or ferocious animals like lions and tigers tend to carry darker vibrations.
They can subtly stir aggression, restlessness, or inner turmoil within the wearer, and even affect the energy of those in their presence.
For instance, the dragon, a typical symbol in Eastern cultures, represents fiery, untamed energy that can disrupt inner harmony.
By inscribing these images on the body, one aligns with their energies, whether consciously or not.
Over time, they may find these qualities subtly influencing their thoughts, moods, and relationships, leading to a problematic life.
In Ayurveda, the science of longevity, the skin is regarded as far more than a physical covering; it is a living network of vital energy points.
Jeevana Ayurveda Centre Chief Physician Dr. C. D. Siby said that piercing or tattooing near these points can disrupt the natural flow of prana (life force) and potentially impact one’s health.
He said ancient scriptures caution against inflicting unnecessary injury to the body, as it depletes the subtle essence that nurtures immunity, vitality, and spiritual lucidity.
Hence, he said, tattooing is not merely an external adornment; it also influences the invisible energy field that sustains our inner balance.
Many ask whether carrying specific images on the body can invite backlash. The answer lies in the principle of resonance: like attracts like.
A person adorned with fierce or violent imagery supports their aura with those very vibrations.
This may manifest as inner agitation, attract struggle, conflict in relationships, disharmony, emotional upheaval, or even disturbances in their environment.
On the other hand, tattoos inscribed with divine names, yantras, or auspicious motifs can act as protective shields, much like a talisman one wears around the neck.
The difference is that these are not removable, and hence require careful consideration before they are chosen.
Ultimately, what matters most is the intent behind tattooing.
If done as an act of vanity, rebellion, or aggression, it risks lowering one’s vibrations.
If offered as a gesture of devotion, protection, or identification with the divine, it may be supportive.
But scripture reminds us that the highest reverence we can give to the body is to keep it pure and unaltered, recognising it as the temple of the soul.
To adorn it with temporary marks like sandalwood paste, or mehndi, is celebrated; to permanently alter it is discouraged unless done with a revered purpose.
For those who later realise a tattoo carries inauspicious or unsettling energy, there are both physical and spiritual ways to address it.
Modern dermatology offers options such as laser removal, surgical excision, or reworking cover-ups that replace the design with auspicious symbols or hallowed geometry.
In spiritual traditions, some practitioners urged cleansing rituals, such as chanting mantras, performing a fire ritual, or taking a saltwater bath, to neutralise the vibrations and restore harmony.
Our ancestors were mindful of every symbol, colour, and image they brought into their homes and onto their bodies.
Perhaps it is time we, too, approach tattoos not just as art, but as holy seals that either harmonise or disturb the temple we inhabit.
Award-winning writer Dr T. Selva is the author of the bestsellers Vasthu Sastra Guide and Secrets of Happy Living. To get a copy, WhatsApp 019-2728464. He can be reached at drtselvas@gmail.com. Facebook: Vasthu Sastra
“The human body is a sacred vessel for our journey toward liberation and must be treated with respect. Marking it with symbols of aggression or darkness can disturb inner harmony.
What we etch upon our skin, we invite into our energy and our life.” – Dr T. Selva
https://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/268341/tattooing-a-sacred-mark-or-energetic-problem-/