First detected in 1700, the famous Death’s Head Black Flag has always struck fear into sailors and stimulated their imagination. The origin of this flag, widely known today, nevertheless remains unknown to the general public 🤔 It’s worth pointing out that the term “Pirate Flag” is an incorrect contemporary expression, as in the maritime field, we speak instead of “Flags”. However, as it is the most commonly used term, it has become established.


1) Latin and Greek origins

Part of the reason why the world of piracy is so beloved is because of its wealth of symbols. Many terms related to the world of piracy are used interchangeably today. Yet the meanings attributed to each of them can sometimes be significantly different. The word “pirate” comes from the Latin “pirata”, referring to one who undertakes to seek his fortune, itself borrowed from the Greek word “peiratês”, meaning “brigand”. These bandits of the seas are indeed, from their most remote origins, outlaw men and sailors.
10 Symbols Of Death And Their Meanings

2) Origins of the “Jolly Roger”

“Jolly Roger” is the traditional English name 🇬🇧 given to pirate flags. Historians offer two different hypotheses on the origin of the famous skull and crossbones flag. We’re going to present them briefly!

A. Hypothesis 1: mispronunciation

The origin of the Pirate Flag is an interesting story that has spanned the centuries. The most famous version is the black-colored flag with a skull in front of crossed shins and an hourglass. The creation of this flag is attributed to Emmanuel Wynne, the first pirate to fly it according to writings and archives of the time. The flag was first reported off the coast of Santiago de Cuba (in 1700). The aim was to convey a message to adversaries: surrender… or die ☠️
10 Symbols Of Death And Their Meanings

Anglo-Saxons soon began referring to this flag by the term used by the French 🇫🇷 in the Caribbean, namely the “Joli Rouge“. Due to the difference in pronunciation in English, the term “Jolly Roger” emerged. The skull and crossbones on a black background were then used by a large number of pirates, particularly when searching for the route to India.

B. Hypothesis 2: the Templars

Other historians trace this symbol back to a more ancient Christian origin. Indeed, its origin could date back to the end of the Order of the Temple ✝️ in the early 14th century. Part of the Templar fleet was betrayed and became a formidable clandestine military force. This fleet sailed along the coasts of the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea and the Mediterranean. The Knights Templar would then have borrowed the name of Roger II of Sicily, a veteran in the service of papal authority, whose nickname would have been given to the famous Pirate Flag.
10 Symbols Of Death And Their Meanings

3) Pirate Pavilion: a genuine communication tool

A. Pirate strategy: intimidating the opponent

Preferring to survive to profit from stolen treasure, pirates used cunning! Contrary to popular belief, the pirate flag was not hoisted at all times, whatever the circumstances. Stratagems were put in place to facilitate the approach of coveted ships and prevent them from fleeing at the sight of the fateful emblem. A standard identical to the one flown by the target ship was often displayed to gain the crew’s confidence and get close enough to use the cannons 🔫
Only when close enough were the true intentions revealed 😈 At that point, the pirates hoisted the black flag! The attack was accompanied by howls and deafening noises. The aim was to intimidate the opponent and induce him to surrender without a fight. Indeed, it was preferable to avoid combat, as the risk of injury was too great. With no medical skills or qualified surgeons on board, serious injuries were often fatal. If men didn’t die immediately, they often succumbed to gangrene or fever.

10 Symbols Of Death And Their Meanings

B. Flag regulations

At sea, the flag was of paramount importance and was subject to strict regulation. Thus, each nation had its own flag at sea, and certain maneuvers had particular meanings. A ship in defeat would lower its flag, while a ship wishing to fight to the death would nail it to the mast! No member of the crew was allowed to lower it. A salute could also be exchanged between ships by lowering and then raising the flag again. What’s more, the color of the canvas also sent a message:

  • RED FLAG: if the canvas was red, it signaled combat! A skull and crossbones could accompany the red and was also used by pirates to show that the fight would be particularly ruthless.
  • WHITE FLAG: on the other hand, if the canvas was white, it signified peace.
  • BLACK FLAG: originally, the color black signaled mutiny.

If you dream of setting off on an adventure hoisting the Black Flag, you’ll love our collection of Pirates and Corsairs Skull Flags 🏴‍☠️ They’re made from high-quality polyester (90 x 150 cm) and shipping is free!

C. Making Pirate Flags

These famous flags with interlocking skulls, bones and shins (or sabers) were often made from sail bark by the sailors themselves. The patterns had to be simple, and the edges weren’t always neat. The sailors in charge of sewing didn’t have the same dexterity as the women ashore! This no doubt contributed to the terror they inspired due to their overall frightening appearance 😱

4) Pirates of Legend

Pirates fascinate and are synonymous with adventure, excess of all kinds, sea battles… but also cunning, bravery and the quest for riches! Some pirates, also known as flibustiers, have gone down in history to become true legends 🤩 Impossible to imagine them sailing the seas and oceans without their flags.

A. Blackbeard

If any pirate is famous, it’s the notorious Edward Teach, also nicknamed “Blackbeard” (“Barbe Noire” in English). He was so named because of his long black beard. He was undoubtedly one of the most feared pirates off the West Indies and British American colonies in the early 18th century. Known for capturing numerous ships, sometimes more than a dozen at a time, he made many merchants tremble. His Pirate Flag was black. It depicted a skeleton painted white with a devil’s head holding an hourglass in his right hand ⌛ and a spear pointed at a red, bloody heart 💘
10 Symbols Of Death And Their Meanings

B. Jack Rackham

Jack Rackham is also one of the most famous pirates, but it’s mainly the symbol sewn onto his black sail that has gone down in history. Who hasn’t seen this variant with two crossed sabers ⚔️ instead of bones? Swords represent power and strength. So it’s not surprising to see them sewn onto the canvas attached to the mast. In fact, this choice was not insignificant, perhaps even premonitory, as he ended up being decapitated a few years later by a saber.
10 Symbols Of Death And Their Meanings

C. Bartholomew Roberts

Finally, the drawings were sometimes more complex and researched, and they displayed a certain artistic vision. This was the case with Bartholomew Roberts, who chose not just one flag, but two. One depicts a mug in the company of death 🍻 But perhaps the most interesting is the second, which features two skulls marked “ABH” and “AMH” (standing for “A Barbadian Head” and “A Martinican Head”). These inscriptions testify to his hatred of these two populations who had resisted him and whom he cruelly wished to avenge.

10 Symbols Of Death And Their Meanings

5) Pirates today

The history of the pirate flag doesn’t end with the end of the era of the great pirates. The emblematic elements of these adventurers have spanned the ages and continue to make their mark in different styles and universes.

A. Symbol of War

The use of the black flag didn’t disappear with the securing of Caribbean waters. Now a true symbol of war, it was used notably during the First World War, and was hoisted when the crew returned victorious after completing their mission. Elevated to the status of a military tradition, it was also used during the Second World War. Today, the flag is still used by the British navy, and submarines in particular continue the tradition. Other sailors have also made this famous flag their own, but this time in the air. American aircraft have been using it since 1943, and the black flag with its skull and crossbones has accompanied a wide variety of aircraft ever since.
In France, only the ship “Commandant L’Herminier” is authorized to fly the “pirate flag” 🛥️. Other yachtsmen are forbidden to hoist it. The aviso Commandant l’Herminier is one of only two French military vessels (along with the submarine “Casabianca”) to have a genuine pirate flag as its traditional flag.

10 Symbols Of Death And Their Meanings

B. Flag regulations

In the modern era, these symbols are no longer used as they once were at sea. Modern piracy has somewhat abandoned them, although a black cloth can still sometimes be seen hanging from the mast. While the ships are still outlawed, the Horn of Africa is now the focus. Dreaded, modern piracy is forcing coastal governments to work together to monitor national and international waters.
10 Symbols Of Death And Their Meanings

C. Pirate of the Caribbean

Today, pirates and their emblems are widely represented in cultural and artistic fields such as cinema and theater. As fascinating as ever, the legends of these adventurers continue to arouse curiosity and fuel the imagination. The pirate is now portrayed in a modern, romantic way, alternately good-hearted and evil and devious. The most recent and popular representation of the pirate is undoubtedly that of the film “Pirates of the Caribbean”. It features a pirate with a trendy look, sometimes chic, sometimes bohemian, who always looks good in all circumstances. Appreciated for his scathing and funny retorts, the modern pirate lacks neither style nor humor! 😂
10 Symbols Of Death And Their Meanings

6) Pirate Accessories

A. Pirate Bandana and Earrings

Pirate bandanas and earrings have become emblems of piracy over the years. For example, the pirate flag of Every Henry, one of the world’s greatest pirates, depicted a skull and crossbones in profile, with a bandana over the skull and an ear pierced by a ring. Accessories and jewelry such as rings or bracelets were often worn by buccaneers who had just laid their hands on a booty, and they testified to their strength as well as their fortune.
10 Symbols Of Death And Their Meanings

B. Pirate Jewelry

Skulls, crossed shins and swords have become rockin’, trendy and mysterious all at once. That’s why at our online boutique, our team has made it our mission to bring these symbols back into fashion! All our pirate bracelets, rings and accessories add the finishing touch to your look with incredibly fine details. Want to become a real pirate? Are you looking for extravagant, distinctive and sophisticated jewelry? Then you’ve come to the right place! The same codes of yesteryear are brought to life in trendy, polished pirate jewelry. They come in all styles, like this steel pirate bracelet or this sublime silver pirate ring. And let’s not forget this superb buffalo leather skull and crossbones perfecto, featuring the famous symbol of the bandits of the seas!


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