Artist Gnat Somol Tra, who offers magic tattoos, tends to his Buddhist shrine in his tattoo parlor in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
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PHOTOS: Tattoos as protection

Artist Gnat Somol Tra, who offers magic tattoos, tends to his Buddhist shrine in his tattoo parlor in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Artist Gnat Somol Tra, who offers magic tattoos, tends to his Buddhist shrine in his tattoo parlor in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. (Lianne Milton / For The Times)

Gnat Somol Tra looks over a design in his Phnom Penh tattoo parlor.

Gnat Somol Tra looks over a design in his Phnom Penh tattoo parlor. (Lianne Milton / For The Times)

Gnat Somol Tra says he is doing more contemporary tattoos than traditional magic tattoos these days.

Gnat Somol Tra says he is doing more contemporary tattoos than traditional magic tattoos these days. (Lianne Milton / For The Times)

The artist shows his chain of Buddhas.

The artist shows his chain of Buddhas. (Lianne Milton / For The Times)

"Magic tattoos make me feel more confident," says heavyweight kickboxing champ Eh Phuthong, training at his club just outside Phnom Penh.

“Magic tattoos make me feel more confident,” says heavyweight kickboxing champ Eh Phuthong, training at his club just outside Phnom Penh. (Lianne Milton / For The Times)

Eh Phuthong, left center, gathers with others at his kickboxing club. Skepticism over the power of magic tattoos is rather shortsighted, argues Eh, a national hero who credits the supernatural imagery spreading over his body and onto his right fist for his winning record.

Eh Phuthong, left center, gathers with others at his kickboxing club. Skepticism over the power of magic tattoos is rather shortsighted, argues Eh, a national hero who credits the supernatural imagery spreading over his body and onto his right fist for his winning record. (Lianne Milton / For The Times)

Au Phuthong, 29, left, Eh's younger brother, also has magic tattoos.

Au Phuthong, 29, left, Eh’s younger brother, also has magic tattoos. (Lianne Milton / For The Times)

Eh Phuthong plays with his young son at the club.

Eh Phuthong plays with his young son at the club. (Lianne Milton / For The Times)

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