Pirate Flags

Pirate Flags

Unknown is the original purpose of authentic pirate flags, but they may have been designed to strike fear into the hearts of potential victims, and encourage a speedy surrender. The mere sight of a pirate flag, black and white, sent chills down the spines of many a captain and crew. Black and white pirate flags were not as greatly feared as the red and white flag. The sight of a red and white pirate flag meant that no mercy would be shown in battle.

Every pirate captain flew their own unique pirate flags each differently designed with at least one unique Jolly Roger flag design. Often the pirate flags would show symbols of death and destruction. We offer pirate flag designs of a number of famous pirates, historically authentic flags that were actually used by pirates.

While the origin of pirate flags is unknown, a common theory of the source of the name Jolly Roger is thought to have originated from a nickname for the devil "Old Roger". It is more likely to have gotten its name from the French word for "pretty red" or "Jolie Rouge". However, this theory is not likely to be true because red pirate flags did not come into common use until many years after black and white flags were flown. In any case the red pirate flag was infrequently used by pirates.

The Jolly Roger design which is commonly associated with pirate flags was used to indicate, in the ship captain's log, the death of a sailor. It is suggested by experts that this is the first use of the Jolly roger symbol and was used by pirates for their pirate flag design as a logical and readily available symbol of death.

For more information about the history of the pirate flag please visit our sister website, Pirates! Fact and Legend: Pirate History