Although the black flag is often associated with terror, the truly fearsome flag on the seas was one with a red background.
Jolly Roger. The iconic pirate flag is known as the Jolly Roger. The origin of the term is unclear. One theory suggests it may derive from the Templar flag. Another one says it comes from the French phrase “joli rouge,” meaning “pretty red,” which referred to a red flag used in combat. Some experts connect it to the earlier “Old Roger” flag that was thought to represent the Devil.
However, it’s widely accepted that the term Jolly Roger first appeared in 1724 in the book A General History of the Pyrates, supposedly written by a man named Captain Charles Johnson. Still, the exact origins of the flag remain uncertain, reflecting the fact that the first pirates likely had other priorities.
Personal branding. The skull and crossbones design is the most iconic of all pirate flags. It’s been featured in countless works of fiction, including popular anime like One Piece, as well as video games, books, and music. This powerful symbol often comes in variations, some with crossed bones underneath or behind the skull, while others swap the bones for sabers.
However, while the skull and crossbones flag is the most representative of piracy, it certainly wasn’t the only design used by pirates. Each captain had their own flag. One of the most famous belonged to Irish sailor Edward Seegar. After being captured by pirates, he decided to join their crew and eventually became a captain himself. Although Seegar’s flag has become associated with pirates throughout history, this association isn’t entirely accurate.
Infamous pirate Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard, is often credited with a flag featuring a skeleton holding an hourglass and a spear pointed at a bleeding heart. However, other sources suggest that his design was much simpler, consisting of just a single skull. Meanwhile, Welsh pirate Bartholomew Roberts is known to have used several flags, each displaying skulls and full-bodied figures that represented different enemies.
English pirate Henry Every had his own iconic design: a profile skull with a handkerchief and crossbones. However, some question the authenticity of this design. Stede Bonnet, true to his pirate nature, created a flag that featured a skull, a horizontal bone, a dagger, and a heart. Still, there are doubts about the authenticity of his design.
Historical inaccuracies. Some have attributed a design featuring a horned skeleton, an hourglass, and a bleeding heart to Blackbeard. The Smithsonian Institution has even contributed to this misconception by associating this flag with the pirate. However, the design first appeared in a magazine in 1912, and there’s no historical evidence that he actually used it.
Shallow symbology. Despite these errors, pirates clearly chose the elements on their flags with care. In the end, flags served as a way to introduce themselves. The icons used weren’t arbitrary. For example, crossed swords symbolized combat prowess and ferocity. Hourglasses may have represented the inevitability of death, while skeletons and bleeding hearts conveyed similar themes. Some pirates, like Every, personalized the skull design, while others, like Roberts, included lettering that referenced specific personal vendettas.
Psychological warfare. The pirate flag functioned not only as branding but also as a crucial tool of psychological warfare on the high seas. The black color and designs of skeletons and swords were intended to instill fear in adversaries. When pirates spotted a target ship, they would raise the black flag to compel their victims to surrender without resistance.
The pirates’ goal was to obtain loot, including the targeted ship itself. Ideally, they sought to capture the ship without causing any damage. Repairs could be costly and time-consuming, often requiring a friendly port for assistance. However, if the other ship didn’t surrender, pirates had an alternative: They would raise a red flag.
By displaying the red flag, pirates conveyed to their target that they would show no mercy to the crew.
Contemporary use. Many of the pirates’ iconic designs likely became obsolete after the golden age of piracy ended. Certain ships continued to fly the pirate flag well into the last century, although pirates are no longer depicted wearing eye patches or using peg legs.
For instance, the British used it on submarines such as HMS Utmost during World War II and HMS Conqueror after it sank the Argentine cruiser General Belgrano in the Falklands War. Additionally, the Polish submarine ORP Sokół displayed the pirate flag alongside two captured Nazi flags.
Image | Amy Syiek
The post Contrary to Popular Belief, Not All Pirates Used the Same Flag. It Was Their Way of Introducing Themselves to Others appeared first on Xataka On.
