The pirate flag, or Jolly Roger, was originally sailed from the mast in order to strike fearr in the hearts of the enemy. Argh! Perhaps it was derived from the black flags that ships would sail to signal to others “Surrender immediately”. In modern times, the Jolly Roger has been stereotypically a skull and cross bones, but in the days of real pirates, there were many variations on this design depending on the particular pirate that they belonged to.

While bones and weapon images obviously were signs of death, the hourglasses were used to denote that time was running out for the pirates’ enemy to surrender. Thomas Tew’s arm and sword signified strength and power.

There are several theories behind the naming of the pirate flag the Jolly Roger”, but the main belief is that it is a French to English translation. In French “Jolie Rouge” translates literally to “beautiful red” - a color that meant “death to all” or “no quarter given”. Over a period of time, “Jolie Rouge” may just have been called by non-French speaking Englishmen, Jolly Roger. Yet another theory explains that Jolly Roger was the nickname for the devil (also called Old Roger) and since death was carried out by the pirates…

John Quelch preferred a pierced heart: which spoke of a merciless death. A heart with drops of blood, would often denote a long and painful death.

On flags such as Walter Kennedy’s, an hourglass means that a kill is without delay and free of charge.

The red skeleton appeared on the flag of Edward Low to warn others of a tormented death.

Stede Bonnet’s flag depicted a dart, symbolizing a violent death.

Much like Bonnet’s flag, Blackbeard attempted to use all symbols His pirate flag showed a muscular skeleton with horns holding an hourglass in one hand and spear in the other that is pointing to a heart letting out three drops of blood.

Aye, any good captain should be flying one of these here Jolly Rogers, so that others might be wary of ye. A flag for every pirate!