Jolly Roger

pirates · flags · history

Black flag signal. Pirates flew the Jolly Roger on their ships during the early 1700s, right before or during an attack. It was their way of telling other ships, 'We're coming for you!'

Skull and crossbones. Most Jolly Roger flags showed a human skull, sometimes called a Death's Head, on a black background. Some flags added other images like bones or swords around the skull.

Scary on purpose. The flag's job was to frighten enemy sailors into surrendering without a fight. If a ship saw the Jolly Roger coming toward them, they knew they were in serious trouble.

Ocean legend. Not all pirate flags looked exactly the same, but they all shared that black color and skull design that made them instantly recognizable across the seas.