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 3x5 JOLLY ROGER RED BANDANA PIRATE FLAG BIG SKULL CROSS BONE BANNER DEATH 3X5 $5.78 Time Remaining: 20d 9h 11m Buy It Now for only: $5.78 |
 Brand New Jolly Roger Patch 3x5 Pirate Flag Great Gift $0.99 Time Remaining: 1h 55m |
 Pirate Surrender the Booty 3x5 ft Jolly Roger flag $9.28 Time Remaining: 18d 10h 33m Buy It Now for only: $9.28 |
 Brand New Red 3 x 5 Surrender the Booty Pirate Flag Banner Fast Shipping $0.99 Time Remaining: 1h 55m |
 DEADMAN CHEST PIRATE JOLLY ROGER FLAG TRICORNER 3X5 $6.47 Time Remaining: 8d 14h 52m Buy It Now for only: $6.47 |
 NEW HUGE Jolly Roger PIRATE FLAG Surrender the Booty $4.85 Time Remaining: 10h 18m Buy It Now for only: $5.95 |
 NEW 3X5 SURRENDER THE BOOTY PIRATE FLAG SKULL 3X5 $5.79 Time Remaining: 4d 1h 28m Buy It Now for only: $5.79 |
 Brand New Jolly Roger Red Hat 3x5 Pirate Flag Banner $0.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 12h 22m |
 NEW 3X5 PIRATE FLAG BEATINGS UNTIL MORALE IMPROVES $5.79 Time Remaining: 16d 14h 7m Buy It Now for only: $5.79 |
 Jolly Roger Pirate Flag Skull Crossbones 3 X 5 NEW In Pkg $3.99 Time Remaining: 1d 1h 37m Buy It Now for only: $5.00 |
 Pirate Bretheren of the Coast Flag 3x5 Jolly Roger flag $7.78 Time Remaining: 6d 52m Buy It Now for only: $7.78 |
 Brand New Red 3 x 5 Surrender the Booty Pirate Flag Banner Fast Shipping $0.99 Time Remaining: 7h 5m |
 Pirate Commitment to Excellence Flag 3x5 Jolly Roger $6.69 Time Remaining: 15d 8h 26m Buy It Now for only: $6.69 |
 Brand New Jolly Roger Patch 3x5 Pirate Flag Great Gift $0.99 Time Remaining: 7h 5m |
 Calico Jack Rackham Jolly Roger Pirate Flag 3x5 Rodger $6.69 Time Remaining: 15d 8h 26m Buy It Now for only: $6.69 |
 Brand New Jolly Roger Red Hat 3x5 Pirate Flag Banner $0.99 Time Remaining: 7h 5m |
 3x5 JOLLY ROGER SURRENDER THE BOOTY PIRATE FLAG 3X5 $6.72 Time Remaining: 4d 12h 44m Buy It Now for only: $6.72 |
 NEW 3X5 PIRATE FLAG RED BANDANA JOLLY ROGER SKULL 3X5 $5.79 Time Remaining: 16d 14h 7m Buy It Now for only: $5.79 |
 Brand New 3x5 Happy Face Pirate Flag Have a Nice Day Matey Smiley Face Flag $0.99 Time Remaining: 7h 5m |
 PIRATE FLAG 12X18 12 X 18 JOLLY ROGER RED BANDANA W7 $5.99 Time Remaining: 3h 34m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
 Brand New Jolly Roger Patch 3x5 Pirate Flag Great Gift $0.99 Time Remaining: 12h 20m |
 3X 5 NO QUARTER NO MERCY PIRATE FLAG $8.49 Time Remaining: 10d 6h 56m Buy It Now for only: $8.49 |
 Huge 3 x 5 High Quality Red Eye Pirate Flag $8.99 Time Remaining: 2d 13h 27m |
 NEW 3X5 TIME FLIES WHEN YOUR HAVING RUM FLAG PIRATE $6.25 Time Remaining: 16d 5h 24m Buy It Now for only: $6.25 |
 Pirate One Eyed Jack Flag NEW $10.00 Time Remaining: 2d 10h 9m Buy It Now for only: $15.00 |
 Pirate With Red Bandana 3x5 ft Flag Jolly Roger Rodger $7.94 Time Remaining: 6d 52m Buy It Now for only: $7.94 |
 Jumbo Crossbones Skull Head Jolly Roger Pirate Flag NEW $9.95 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 9h 5m |
 PIRATE FLAG 12X18 12 X 18 JOLLY ROGER SKULL BONES W5 $5.99 Time Remaining: 3h 34m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
 Pirate Car Flag $3.99 Time Remaining: 3d 23h 3m Buy It Now for only: $4.99 |
 Surrender the Booty Pirate Flag Ship Banner Pennant Sign 3x5 Indoor Outdoor New $6.71 Time Remaining: 28d 7h 14m Buy It Now for only: $6.71 |
 Pirate Car Flag $3.99 Time Remaining: 4d 8h 1m Buy It Now for only: $4.99 |
 NEW 3X5 BRETHREN PIRATE FLAG JOLLY ROGER FLAGS SWORDS $5.79 Time Remaining: 1d 9h 56m Buy It Now for only: $5.79 |
 EDWARD LOW 3x5ftFLAG PIRATE FLAG $0.01 Time Remaining: 3d 6h 29m Buy It Now for only: $4.98 |
 JOLLY ROGER RED CAP PIRATE FLAG 12X18 BOAT MOTORCYCLE $8.49 Time Remaining: 24d 3h 57m Buy It Now for only: $8.49 |
 Pirate Jack Sparrow Flag 3x5 Jolly Roger Ship Banner Skull Crossbones $7.21 Time Remaining: 27d 4h 35m Buy It Now for only: $7.21 |
 Skull Crossbones Flag 5FT X 3FT Jolly Roger Pirate Eye Patch Party New $1.56 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 6d 4h 39m |
 NEW LARGE 3ftx5ft RED BANDANA PIRATE BANNER STORE FLAG $6.95 Time Remaining: 17d 14h 14m Buy It Now for only: $6.95 |
 NEW BOOTY PATROL PIRATE FLAG 3x5 ft Nautical boat banner $7.99 Time Remaining: 11h 59m |
 DEAD MAN PIRATES CHEST FLAG novelty flag 3 X 5 $8.98 Time Remaining: 7d 11h 14m Buy It Now for only: $8.98 |
 Caribbean Pirate Skull Flag Outdoor 3 x 5 ft Size New $7.99 Time Remaining: 10h 2m Buy It Now for only: $8.99 |
 Time Flies When Youre Having Rum PIRATES Flag Party Kids 5x3 Corsairs fun bnip $5.04 Time Remaining: 8d 1h 49m Buy It Now for only: $5.04 |
 Crimson Pirate Red Flag Outdoor 3 x 5 ft Size New $7.99 Time Remaining: 10h 8m Buy It Now for only: $9.95 |
 NEW LARGE 3ftx5ft PIRATE QUEEN BANNER STORE FLAG $7.75 Time Remaining: 18d 13h 59m Buy It Now for only: $7.75 |
 Brand New 2x3 24 x 36 Polyester Pirate Flag $1.99 Time Remaining: 1d 9h 32m |
 NEW LARGE 3ftx5ft PIRATE WITH PATCH BANNER STORE FLAG $7.25 Time Remaining: 17d 14h 27m Buy It Now for only: $7.25 |
 LARGE QUALITY FLAG OF PIRATE SURRENDER PARTY TIME $4.50 Time Remaining: 2d 19h 34m Buy It Now for only: $6.31 |
 3x5 PIRATE CAPTAIN WOMAN FLAG JOLLY ROGER SKULL BANNER OUTDOOR INDOOR HUGE 3X5 $7.98 Time Remaining: 24d 13h 23m Buy It Now for only: $7.98 |
 Outdoor Indoor Dont Tread Me Black Pirate Flag 3 x 5 $7.99 Time Remaining: 1d 11h 29m Buy It Now for only: $8.99 |
 SKULL AND CROSSBONES Pirate18 x 12 cloth flag + hem $3.14 Time Remaining: 25d 17h 56m Buy It Now for only: $3.14 |
 PIRATE Wall Clock jolly roger pirates flag skull art $13.49 Time Remaining: 4d 7h 1m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
 3X5 RED PIRATE FLAG CRIMSON SKULL CROSS SWORDS BANNER JOLLY ROGER NEW F030 $4.99 Time Remaining: 12d 14h 29m Buy It Now for only: $4.99 |
 3x5 PIRATE REPUBLIC JOLLY ROGER FLAG SKULL HUGE 3X5 $8.49 Time Remaining: 12d 10h 52m Buy It Now for only: $8.49 |
 PIRATE FLAG CHOOSE YOUR TYPE pirates sparrow potc $4.59 Time Remaining: 3d 3h 52m Buy It Now for only: $5.25 |
 Pink Princess Pirate Flag 3Ft X 5Ft New Double Sided $8.10 Time Remaining: 5d 5h 18m Buy It Now for only: $8.10 |
 PIRATE FLAG CHOOSE YOUR TYPE black beard edward teach sparrow potc $4.59 Time Remaining: 3d 4h 24m Buy It Now for only: $5.25 |
 Surrender The Booty flag Pirate Flag 3x5 Booty flag $4.59 Time Remaining: 16d 7h 25m Buy It Now for only: $4.59 |
 Pirate Car Flag $3.99 Time Remaining: 3d 23h 4m Buy It Now for only: $4.99 |
 3X 5 DEADMANS CHEST JOLLY ROGER PIRATE FLAG $8.49 Time Remaining: 7d 3h 52m Buy It Now for only: $8.49 |
 Pirate Car Flag $3.99 Time Remaining: 4d 7h 59m Buy It Now for only: $4.99 |
 3x5 HENRY AVERY FLAG JOLLY ROGER PIRATE SKULL NEW 3X5 $6.69 Time Remaining: 20d 12h 2m Buy It Now for only: $6.69 |
 Pirate Car Flag $3.99 Time Remaining: 4d 11h 3m Buy It Now for only: $4.99 |
 3x5 HENRY AVERY RED JOLLY ROGER PIRATE FLAG SKULL 3X5 $6.83 Time Remaining: 12d 10h 29m Buy It Now for only: $6.83 |
 LARGE QUALITY FLAG OF PIRATE RED EYES PARTY JOKE FUN $4.50 Time Remaining: 3d 4h 51m Buy It Now for only: $6.31 |
 PIRATE FLAG 12X18 12 X 18 BRETHREN OF THE COAST W8 $5.99 Time Remaining: 3h 34m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
 Pirate Car Flag $3.99 Time Remaining: 4d 22h 12m Buy It Now for only: $4.99 |
 NEW LARGE 3ftx5ft JACK SPARROW PIRATE FLAG STORE BANNER $8.45 Time Remaining: 17d 13h 31m Buy It Now for only: $8.45 |
 Pirate Car Flag $3.99 Time Remaining: 4d 22h 13m Buy It Now for only: $4.99 |
 3X5 NYLON PIRATE FLAG JOLLY ROGER SKULL CROSSBONES F733 $7.99 Time Remaining: 24d 5h 48m Buy It Now for only: $7.99 |
 NEW LARGE 3ftx5ft RED BANDANA PIRATE JOLLY ROGER FLAG $5.75 Time Remaining: 2d 1h 38m Buy It Now for only: $5.75 |
 SMALL SKULL CROSSBONES PIRATE FLAG YACHT SAIL BOAT SHIP 3x2 PARTY CARIBBEAN $5.06 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 4d 5h 3m |
 2x3 Pirate Jolly Roger Skull Banner Flag 2x3 $5.69 Time Remaining: 20d 9h 39m Buy It Now for only: $5.69 |
 LARGE QUALITY PIRATE SKULL CROSSBONES FLAG PARTY EVENT GIG NIGHT CARRIBEAN SEA $4.50 Time Remaining: 4d 20h 48m Buy It Now for only: $6.31 |
 PIRATE Bandana Flag Pirates of the Caribbean party fun Boys Birthday Event 5x3 $5.04 Time Remaining: 19d 21h 19m Buy It Now for only: $5.04 |
 PIRATE FLAG CHOOSE YOUR TYPE edward england pirate ship sparrow potc $4.69 Time Remaining: 3d 4h 30m Buy It Now for only: $5.25 |
 3x5 HANDS OFF MY BOOTY PIRATE JOLLY ROGER FLAG 3X5 $8.89 Time Remaining: 4d 1h 55m Buy It Now for only: $8.89 |
 Huge Pirate Flag Caribbean RED EYE skull gothic decor $2.99 Time Remaining: 6d 11h 14m |
 Pirate One Eyed Jack Large Flag 5 x 3 $6.01 Time Remaining: 24d 22h 17m Buy It Now for only: $6.01 |
 4x6 Jolly Roger Red Hat Pirate Flag Skull And Cross Bones Flags $14.99 Time Remaining: 6d 10h 51m |
 3x5 JOLLY ROGER WOMEN GIRL PIRATE FLAG HUGE SKULL 3X5 $8.49 Time Remaining: 24d 23h 11m Buy It Now for only: $8.49 |
 2x3 Jolly Roger Red Hat Pirate Flag Skull And Cross Bones Flags $4.99 Time Remaining: 6d 11h 12m |
 PIRATE FLAG 12X18 12 X 18 DEADMANS CHEST DEAD MAN W6 $5.99 Time Remaining: 3h 34m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
 SMALL SKULL CROSSBONES PIRATE BANDANA FLAG YACHT SAIL BOAT SHIP 3x2 PARTY UK $3.95 Time Remaining: 6d 14h 31m Buy It Now for only: $5.53 |
 Brand New 3x5 Happy Face Pirate Flag Have a Nice Day Matey Smiley Face Flag $7.99 Time Remaining: 27d 7h 34m Buy It Now for only: $7.99 |
 LARGE QUALITY FLAG OF PIRATE TIME FLIES PARTY JOKES $4.50 Time Remaining: 7d 6h 24m Buy It Now for only: $6.31 |
 3X5 BLACK BART FLAG PIRATE ABH AMH BARTHOLOMEW ROBERTS BANNER NEW ROGER F094 $4.99 Time Remaining: 12d 14h 28m Buy It Now for only: $4.99 |
 3x5 JOLLY ROGER RED BANDANA PIRATE FLAG BIG SKULL 3X5 $6.78 Time Remaining: 9d 11h 42m Buy It Now for only: $6.78 |
 LARGE QUALITY FLAG OF PIRATE RED TRICORNER SKULL CROSSBONES PARTY YACHT $4.50 Time Remaining: 7d 8h 36m Buy It Now for only: $6.31 |
 Viking Flag 3x5 feet Raven banner Norway Norse pirate new $7.99 Time Remaining: 12d 1h 14m Buy It Now for only: $7.99 |
 LARGE QUALITY FLAG OF SOMALIA FLIGHT TOUR PIRATE NEWS $4.50 Time Remaining: 8d 21h 33m Buy It Now for only: $6.31 |
 JOLLY ROGER PIRATE FLAG 3 X 5 SKULL AND CROSSBONES $4.99 Time Remaining: 13d 41m Buy It Now for only: $4.99 |
 LARGE QUALITY FLAG OF PIRATE JACK RACKHAM PARTY JOKES $4.50 Time Remaining: 9d 1h 20m Buy It Now for only: $6.31 |
 3X5 DEAD MANS CHEST PIRATE FLAG DEADMANS DEADMEN F605 $4.99 Time Remaining: 24d 5h 47m Buy It Now for only: $4.99 |
 LARGE QUALITY FLAG OF PIRATE PIRATES LIFE PARTY JOKES $4.50 Time Remaining: 9d 15h 19m Buy It Now for only: $6.31 |
 PIRATE Boat flag PIRATEs Mickey Mouse Disney 12 x18 pennant $9.99 Time Remaining: 24d 23h 11m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 DELUXE NEW JOLLY ROGER PIRATE FLAG BANNER 3x5ft custome $9.99 Time Remaining: 2d 19h 16m Buy It Now for only: $11.99 |
 Pirate American Flag 3x5 US USA Jolly Roger banner new $7.99 Time Remaining: 12d 1h 38m Buy It Now for only: $7.99 |
 DELUXE NEW PIRATE JACK RACKHAM BANNER FLAG 3x5 custome $9.99 Time Remaining: 3d 2h 5m Buy It Now for only: $11.99 |
 Pirate Skull and CrossBones Flag 12x18 stick flags 1NEW $0.99 Time Remaining: 3d 5h Buy It Now for only: $0.99 |
 DELUXE NEW JOLLY ROGER PIRATE FLAG BANNER 3x5ft custome $9.99 Time Remaining: 3d 2h 6m Buy It Now for only: $11.99 |
 3X5 DONT TREAD ON ME PIRATE FLAG SKULL COILED SNAKE CROSS BONES NEW F105 $4.99 Time Remaining: 12d 14h 28m Buy It Now for only: $4.99 |
Be Afraid. Be Very Afraid Matey - the Origin of Pirate Flags
Although the origin of the pirate flag is unknown, it is generally thought that it was invented to strike fear in the hearts and minds of their enemies. The pirate flag, or "Jolly Roger" as it often called, was likely intended to scare their potential victims into a speedy surrender.
The origins of the name "Jolly Roger" are difficult to establish. It is likely derived from the fact that devil was often referred to as "Old Roger", and so the flag suggested the wrath of the devil. The classic skull and bones design was also often used in the Captain's log to indicate the death of a sailor. This flag was an important part of the pirate's armory, and is considered one of the earliest forms of psychological warfare.
In popular legend, it seems that every pirate flag consisted of a skull above two crossed bones. This was generally not the case, as the Captain and his crew often wanted their own flag. While it is true that most pirate flags had the skull and crossbones on them, they often had other images such as skeletons, swords, hourglasses, goblets, and hearts.
One of the most famous pirates was "Black Bart", otherwise known as Bartholomew Roberts. He was originally from Wales, and in his 4 year career captured well over 400 ships and accumulated incredible wealth. It is said that he was a brilliant, fearless, and innovative seaman. His fleet scoured the seas looking for treasure, and he inspired fear and dread in governments and citizens alike.
The governments of the Caribbean islands of Barbados and Martinique were keen to see an end to his seafaring activities. In 1720, "Black Bart" captured the governor of Martinique and hung him from the mast of his ship. The flag he would fly represented the personal vendetta he had against the islands and its inhabitants. His flag consisted of an image of a man (presumably Bart) with a flaming sword in hand, standing with a skull under each foot. The letters "ABH" and "AMH" were inscribed under the skulls, and stood for "A Bahamian's Head" and "A Martinicans Head".
Be afraid. Be very afraid.
About the Author
David Mann grew up wanting to be a pirate, but decided against a life of murderous crime and high seas hijinks. He recently watched the movie "Pirates of the Caribbean", and to his wife's dismay, started wearing his eye patch again. When he is not swashbuckling, he writes freelance articles for website like flags of the world, flag pins and military flags.
3D Pirate Flag (with music)