The Sacred Genitals (male & female) of Ko Samui

Ko Samui also has an attraction that is utterly unique on this blue planet: huge and naturally formed rock formations in the form of a yoni (vulva, cunt) and a lingam (phallus, dick). Although similar natural shapes occur in different places all over the world, they don’t usually come both in one and the same place - and only a 75 meters apart from one another. The following is a mixture of texts I published concerning this place in my books “The Yoni” (1996) and the “Encyclopedia of Sacred Sexuality” (1999).

On the coast near Lamai (see map), two natural rock formations in the shape of the human genitals used to be places of prayer and pilgrimage - and are now a modern tourist attraction. The place I’m talking about is called Hinta Hinyai by the Thai people, which translates as “Grandfather- and Grandmother Stones”. Here, where tourists now bring their giggles of both shame and surprise, local people still sometimes bring flowers - in the early morning - as their ancestors have done for many generations.

Interestingly enough, there's only one very obvious phallic formation here (the Grandfather Stone called Hinta), yet there are two vulva-shaped places. The best known of these, the famous Grandmother Stone (with the name Hinyai), is way down the cliff and often hidden from view by the restless sea. If, however, you get close enough to the water or approach it by boat, you’ll see wave after wave lapping at the mossy cleft between what seems like the huge, open thighs of Mother Earth.

The second yoni (Indian name for the vulva) is dry, but she is also much more detailed. This one is never mentioned nor pointed out by the professional tourist guides (we’ve been there several times and watched), and it is thus missed by many a visitor.

This yoni can be seen when you look from the sea towards the high wall of dark rocks, slightly to the right of the narrow road now lined with stalls that sell coconuts, drinks, food and souvenirs.

I can only recommend everyone to go there once in this life. Get a hotel close to Hinta Hinyai, or in Lamai, and get up early one morning (or stay awake altogether - with the help of a friend). Walk down and along the beach and try to arrive there before the food stalls open, before the tourists and guides arrive by bus. Look at the marvelous shapes, sit there quietly, think about the mysteries of nature and human sexuality. And for sure, take a camera along - and you get images like these.

[The island is best visited late December to late February, when there are usually no monsoon rains and the weather is just fantastic; but do check out some travel sites for more current advice.]

Visit their website for related material or for ordering some of these pictures. And be sure to read our exclusive interview with Rufus ~ Part I & Part II!