Pirate Flags – Jolly Roger Flags Collection

Pirate Flags – Jolly Roger Flags Collection

While the skull and crossbones on the black flag have become known as the “Jolly Roger” in popular culture, real pirates didn’t use a standard version until much later. In the 17th century, different types or factions of pirates had their own versions, with the look we’re all familiar with only becoming standardized around 1730.

The Pirate Flags – Jolly Roger Flags Collection | Ultimate Flags Store is probably the most famous of all pirate flags, and the one most often seen in movies. It was a variant of an earlier flag, and the term “Jolly Roger” itself may be derived from a name for a type of ship used by Barbary Corsairs. The skull is a symbol of death and represents the pirates’ ruthless and deadly reputation, while the bones are crossed swords, evoking the idea of violence and conflict.

Hoist the Colors: Pirate Flags – Jolly Roger Flags Collection

In general, pirates flew different variations of the skull and crossbones on a black flag to identify themselves as such before engaging a hostile ship. They also used a variety of other flags with blood-curdling designs, including skeletons and bleeding hearts to signal that they were not to be taken lightly and that no quarter would be given.

The skull and crossbones on black flag that we know as the Jolly Roger were first documented in a naval report from 1700. This was a time when many pirates, particularly those who sailed for the privateers of the British crown, were flying black pirate flags to distinguish themselves from British naval vessels.