While we don’t advocate a Mike Tyson sort of face tattoo on anyone, the following are some of the most beautiful tribal tattoos from Borneo. While slightly intimidating, these works of art command a strong sense of respect reserved only for the fearless and grounded.

For the Dayak tribe in Borneo, it’s believed that spirits are in everything. From animals to plants to humans. As such, most groups use imagery from nature in their tattoos. The most symbolic being a floral motif.

The tattoos aren’t slapped by anyone with a needle and ink. Instead, tattoos are carefully created by artists who have consulted their spirit guides to reveal a design. For the Iban group in Borneo, the men apply the tattoos whereas the Kayan people, women are traditionally seen as artists, a hereditary status that is passed from mother to daughter.

Each tattoo is traditionally prefaced with a sacred ritual. Within the Ngaju Dayak tribe, the tattoo artist would normally sacrifice a chicken or other fowl to the ancestor spirits.

After some ceremonial chanting, the artist would begin on the highly painful tattooing process that could last anywhere from 6 to 8 hours. Like many great works of art, some tattoos would require weeks to finish.