The Meanings Behind Pirate Symbols 

August 1, 2024

Americans are accustomed to national symbols that help portray our ideals, customs, and qualities. From the patriotic American flag with its red, white and blue stars and stripes representing each of our states and the 13 original colonies to the Statue of Liberty with her raised torch welcoming people and extolling the concept of freedom, Americans embrace symbols in many forms. 

Americans are not the only people who use symbols to represent who we are as a nation, culture and country. The Golden Age of Piracy from 1650 to 1720, when pirates played a significant role in the histories of the North Atlantic and Indian Oceans, is another such time steeped in symbolism. Thousands of active pirates during this era used symbols to spread the word of their mission, demeanor and lifestyle. 

Let’s explore the symbols of the pirate world, some well-known and others forgotten by history books. 

Pirate Flags 

While most of us recognize the iconic Jolly Roger flag, pirates used several flags to signal warnings to enemy vessels and to strike fear in merchant ships should they cross paths. Here are a few of the many flags customized by pirates as they plundered their way across the globe. 

The Jolly Roger 

The emblem of the infamous Jolly Roger flag meant serious business to merchant ships during the Golden Age of Piracy. It could mean violence, loss of valuable cargo or even the risk of death. The Jolly Roger was known throughout the world to mean that pirates were nearby and that mercy would not be shown. 

Keep in mind that every pirate captain used a slightly different form of the Jolly Roger but most had some commonalities such as the skull and crossbones symbolizing imminent attack and potential death. For centuries, European cultures used the skull and crossbones symbols to decorate graves, catacombs or funeral processions, thus linking the characteristics to death naturally. 

Interestingly enough, captains often used skulls in a ledger next to the names of crew members who had died during the journey, so it was not much of a stretch that pirates would then start using the symbol as a part of their livelihood. 

While most of us quickly recognize the Jolly Roger as a pirate flag, it was often not flown when approaching a merchant ship. Usually, a friendly country flag or neighboring national flag was flown allowing a pirate ship to approach without alerting the prey of their attack. Once they were close enough to ensure battle would ensue, the Jolly Roger was flown. 

Jolly Roger

Solid Black Flags 

Pirates, especially in the early years before the Jolly Roger became known, used colored flags to send a message to nearby ships. 

Plain black flags were often flown to signal to an enemy vessel that they were about to attack, but that “quarter” would be given. This meant, essentially, the pirates would not kill everyone on board should they cooperate and hand over any resources. Seeing a solid black flag was meant to instill fear and alert ships of what was about to happen. If enemy crew members did not fight they could save their lives, just not their cargo. 

Black flags were also symbolic of a ship that may have crew members who died from diseases such as malaria and the plague during certain times in history. This was a stern warning to stay away or risk infection.

Solid Red Flags 

A solid red flag was even more frightening to behold than a solid black flag. This symbol often meant that an attack was imminent but that no lives would be spared (no quarter) as was common with black flags. 

pirate with swords

Other Pirate Symbols 

In addition to symbolic flags, pirates also used other symbols such as an hourglass, crossed swords, bleeding hearts, x-marks-the-spot and masts. 

The Hourglass 

The hourglass symbol often meant that time was running out or that something dreadful was about to happen. This could mean an attack, a takeover of a ship, or the death of a crew member. 

Crossed Swords

The crossed swords (or other weapons) depicted the pirate’s willingness to fight at whatever cost, whether it is the loss of a limb or even life. 

Bleeding Heart

While a heart usually is characteristic of love, a bleeding heart often meant a slow and painful death awaits you. 

X-Marks the Spot 

In the world of piracy, an X is the symbol of where treasure awaits, whether it is a country being attacked or a buried treasure. 

Masts

A vessel’s mast is one of the most important parts of the ship. Masts were often tattooed on pirates’ arms to show their experience level including how many ships they served or captained. A broken mast could symbolize the number of ships he (or she) overtook. 

For more information about the lives of pirates during this exciting era or to find out more about the symbols used by pirates visit Real Pirates Salem. Plan your visit here