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Thursday, September 3, 2015
During the 18th century, a pirate named Christopher Moody explored the coast of South Caroline. Although there were a lot of information about him, he was eventually caught and hanged. His pirate flag, however, continues to be seen every now and then in old photos and books. It featured the gold and red tones. From left to right, the flag had a gold hourglass and black wings. It meant that the enemy’s time was over. There was also a white arm and hand holding a dagger. There was a traditional skull over the crossbones. The flag also had a red background that stood for blood. Moody and his crew had lethal plans.
There used to be a French pirate known as Emanuel Wynn. Many believed that he was the first pirate to showcase the Jolly Roger banner. However, there was no real proof. The flag featured a skull over crossbones and there was an hourglass beneath it.

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by: The Flagman

Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Pirate flags are both deemed myths and real. There are actually real pirates in the past and even the present. The flags were customized to represent the pirate captain and his crew. Every ship added a certain element to its flag to make it distinct among other pirates sailing the seas.
The Jolly Roger flag is probably the most famous one of all, although there have been several variations of the banner through the years. Flags featured by ships on the ocean had a huge impact for other ships that encountered them. It was vital for the ships to successfully point out friendly ships from hostile vessels. Looking at the flags will help one easily distinguish.
After some time, pirates began to create and feature their own flags. The pirate culture featured its own set of rules and pirates generally presented their flags on top of masts to threaten other vessels. The background of pirate flags were usually black or red. The black flag was rather traditional and symbolized death. The red background was also commonly used after several years.

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by: The Flagman

Thursday, August 20, 2015
During the 18th century, Christopher Moody was well known as a pirate in the South Carolina coast. He was said to have been captured and hanged. Moody’s pirate flag was popular because it featured gold and red colors. There was a gold hourglass with black wings, which indicated that his enemy’s time was up. There was also a white arm and hand holding a dagger and the classic skull over crossbones. The red background stood for blood. Moody and his crew were feared during their time.
Another famous pirate from France was Emanuel Wynn. Many believed that he was a pioneer in displaying the Jolly Roger flag. There is no definite proof of that fact, however. His flag featured the skull against the crossbones with an hourglass below.
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by: The Flagman

Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Pirate flags are described as both legendary and real. Centuries ago, real pirates traveled over the seas with their own captain and crew. Each pirate ship also featured its own pirate flag, with their own unique elements and designs.
The Jolly Roger pirate flag is one of the most popular. There were several variations of the flag. These were often seen aboard pirate ships especially during the age of exploration. Ships have to see friendly and pirate flags from afar so that they can steer clear of sea robbers and stay safe while moving from one continent to another.

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by: The Flagman

Monday, September 22, 2014
A pirate flag is an iconic flag that usually represents terror or fear for those who see it. What is the history behind it? The origin is still unknown. It is a basic knowledge that the purpose of the flag is to instill fear to the enemies.
Pirate flag is known for its other name, Jolly Roger. Who is Jolly Roger and what is behind the name? Centuries ago the devil is called with many names and one of it is “Old Roger”. The pirates were known to be like rebels of the sea and since they create fear and terror they are associated to demons. The pirate flags are commonly seen to be black having the symbols of a classic skull and bones.  The symbol also implies the death of a sailor.  This flag is a vital part of a pirate’s ship as it is also considered as a weapon, an early form of psychological combat.
One of a popular pirate name is Bartholomew Roberts or better known as “Black Bart”. Within 4 years of his pirate life he conquered around 400 ships and acquired so much wealth from stealing. His ships conquered the sea for treasures and he instilled dread and fear from citizens.
When thinking about a pirate flag, what mostly comes into our minds is a black cloth with a picture of a skull with two crossed bones behind it. But this is not a standard design of a pirate flag. Though most flags consist of two crossed bones and a skull, some of them have other images such as hourglasses, swords, hearts, and goblets.

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by: The Flagman

Monday, August 19, 2013
One of the most popular pirate flags that graced the high seas is Blackbeard’s flag. The banner features a black canton with a skeleton in the middle holding a spear going through a human heart. The other hand of the skeleton raised a glass to the devil. Captain Blackbeard immediately scared other vessels just by raising the flag wherever his ship went.
Another pirate, Christopher Moody, was also highly notorious during the 18th century. His ship moved along the South Carolina Coast. He was later on caught and hung. Moody’s flag, however, became very much recognised. It featured gold against a red canton. There is also a gold hourglass with dark wings. This signified that the time of his enemy was over. There is a white hand with a dagger and the famous skull with crossbones. The red canton represented blood which meant death to whoever opposes them.
Another pirate from France, Emanuel Wynn, is also famous for being the first one to show the Jolly Roger banner. There is no actual evidence to support this but his banner features the hourglass under the skull with crossbones.
Bartholomew Roberts is a pirate who featured the Black Bart Flag. It shows a pirate standing on skulls. The acronyms “AMH” and “ABH” appeared on the banner which stands for “A Martinique’s Head” and “A Barbadian’s Head”.
Pirates are as real as they are in the stories. Today, pirate flags are still waved in various sporting events and parties. There are people wearing pirate costumes complete with the banners.

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by: The Flagman

Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Many thought that pirate flags are just fictional items derived from story books, but the fact is, it existed. These were real items that represented the pirate captain of a ship and its crew.  It was uniquely customized to identify their ship from others.
If you are a fan of pirate tales then you must be familiar with the pirate flag of Jolly Roger, however, only a few knows that there are several designs of this. Pirate flags may come in different themes because of the significance it gives for every ship’s journey during the time of exploration. For the captain and its crew, it is very important to identify whether such approaching ships can be their ally or enemy thru the message that the flag gives.
Pirates made to customize their own flags following certain codes of conduct for certain purposes such as to instill terror. Most often pirate flags were seen in either black or red background, but the more popular is black. However, either color gives equally relevant representations.

Red pirate flags signified fear as a representation of bloodshed as if no mercy can be given to captured victims. Then came an evolution from red to a black colored pirate flag to symbolize death. This became a more popular and threatening color to other ships nearby. As time passed, pirate flags changed further by adding symbols such as the combination of crossed bones and a skull, an hour glass or swords, all of which represents death.

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by: The Flagman

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

The first records of the skull and crossbones design found on a pirate flag was discovered in a logbook owned by the Bibliographic National ed France. The earliest entry was on December 6, 1687 where the flag was specifically described to be used by pirates on land and not over deep water.

In present times, the Jolly Roger symbolizes many things. Even kids use the flag in parties and other fun events. What many do not know is how the flag was created and developed with the principles of terror and murder in mind. Sea vessels were changed significantly to transform these into the ultimate battleships. The line “making her flush” actually meant changing the ship to make it ideal for sea battles.

Today, pirate ships employ high-tech materials and are relatively faster so that these can easily attack target cargo ships and tankers. The modern versions are also equipped with heavy artillery as well as smaller boats that will let pirates board other vessels with stealth and ease. Pirates today move silently compared to traditional pirate ships that let their presence be known from miles away to quickly demand surrender.

The Jolly Roger flag has been adjusted many times. You will find other versions such as red and yellow pirate flags, pirate flags that feature yellow strips and banners that represent death by featuring swords, skeletons and guns. Other decorative pieces were also included with the flags like ribbons and colorful pennants. During the 18th century, Captain Richard Hawkins said that pirates provided quarter under the black flag.

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by: The Flagman

Monday, January 7, 2013


Whenever traveling ships and merchant sea vessels discover a pirate flag, sailors would immediately panic and know that their lives are in grave peril. Many boats instantly surrendered and gave their belongings to the pirates as soon as they see the banner. The first pirates featured a red flag to alert others not to try and fight back. The red flag was known as the Blood Flag which was generally shown with the country flag of the pirates. The black flag was also commonly used if the other ships did not easily give in to their demands.

Several symbols and characters were used by pirates to quickly trigger fear in the hearts of those who oppose them. Some of the regularly used images were hourglasses, swords, skulls and bleeding hearts. The Jolly Roger is the most famous pirate flag symbol, which included a skull with crossbones. The flag was most likely derived from the Jolie Rouge from France or the rouge laws from the British. The symbol generally represents transactions with thieves and outlaws. “Roger” might have stemmed from these or it could also represent a stud bull.

Death was signified by pirates by displaying the skull and crossbones. Other images were also associated with death like a raised glass and dancing skeletons.

Among the most dreaded flags in the past was the Blackbeard flag. It showed a horned skeleton with a spear beside a bleeding heart. Bartholomew Roberts featured another intricate pirate flag which presents a pirate with an hourglass beside a skeleton holding a spear.


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by: The Flagman

Friday, May 11, 2012

Many pirate flags feature symbols of violence, danger and death like the frequently used skull and crossbones, weapons or an hourglass that indicates to other ships that their time is done. Blackbeard, not Jack Sparrow, is probably the most talked about pirate of all and was said to have traveled the seas featuring a black flag with a skeleton holding a spear and hourglass. A bleeding heart was also depicted right next to the skeleton. The flag was greatly feared by many during the old days.

The “Skull and Crossbones” and “Jolly Roger” flags are two of the most noticeable and easily recognized symbols among pirate ships. Many already know the background of the skull and crossbones. The Jolly Roger flag is more mysterious and many do not know its true origins. Some say that the flag comes from “Jolie Rouge” a French term for red flag since pirates originally displayed red flags. There are also others who say that the name “Rouge” has the same meaning as beggar, vagabond or robber. Some say that the flag comes from “Old Roger” which is synonymous to the devil.

Even though the old pirate flags were highly feared by many, these are widely used today in more wholesome events like parties and concerts. People like to dress up as famous pirates complete with the equipment like a pirate flag.

There are several sources and suppliers of pirate flags. People will often find the skull and crossbones design on the internet. There are also rarer pirate flags available in some places on the internet. People will discover these with some research and patience to stand out during special occasions.

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by: The Flagman