Buddhism Thervada Tattoos

I'd watched show Tattoo Hunter of [Dr. Lars Krutak](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lars_Krutak) on Discovery channel. And he had Buddhist tattoo by Thervada monks. There was an Elephant, Tiger and Crocodile tattoos. And who had those tattoos they have power of these animals. So I want to know more about meaning of that art and techniques and may I think those powers are because of techniques and meditation. Is this art and techniques discovered by Buddha?