If excitement is the spice of life, it’s no wonder lovers of caliente cuisine can’t get enough of either.

Celebrated in dishes around the world, every culture has their own unique take on the potent pepper.

For example, in Naples, Italy, red peppers are a sign of good luck, and frequently gifted in various ornaments and garlands. Meanwhile the Northeast Indian Bhut jolokia-or ghost pepper-registers with the Guinness Book of World Records as the hottest pepper in the world. With such a delicious history behind it, it’s no wonder many have adopted the pepper as a personal tattoo totem.

The pepper tattoo is first and foremost a declaration of one’s fearlessness, in life and in the culinary world. The pepper devotee is a man who seizes the moment and risks everything for a chance to smolder. The pepper is a sign that it’s time to take fate into your own hands and demand a higher voltage; no risk, no gain, right?

From the iconic bright red pepper to its more elaborate renderings, the pepper tattoo is instantly recognizable, no matter the design. At last, those who cross your path will know that you’re not here to play, and woe to the soul who mistakes you for-dare we suggest-mild.

Not for the faint of heart but always ready to welcome a new inductee, the cult of the pepper is a wide-reaching and all-inclusive one. This is for the man who embraces the new and bold, and wears it as well as he consumes it. Your tattoo may not cause steam to rise from your skin, but that won’t stop people from thinking twice before touching.