 Pirate Flag Symbols and Their Meanings
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| Hour Glass |  | ~Inferring that the victims time was running out to surrender. Or that their living time was coming to an end.
~ It could also be raised in a toast of death or victory.
~ In this flag the wings on the hour glass infer that the victims life was flying away from them. |
Skull and Cross Bones
Pirate Flag Websites |  | ~A symbol taken from tomb stones or the earlier depiction's of the crucifix. This type of crucifix was rarely seen after the pirates used it to instill fear.
~ In this particular flag the crossbones beneath the skull almost indicate a beheading. Without body a head is dead. ~The crossbones can be seen as the mark of death and the skull as the proof. |
| Bleeding Hearts |  | ~Representing a long drawn out painful death.
~ In this particular flag your attention is drawn to the red bleeding heart which has been striked by a spear indicates a torturous death. |
| Sword or dagger |  | ~Symbolising a violent death. In this flag a muscular arm holds the swords representing strength combined with an unwavering death as it is positioned ready to fight. |
Skeleton
Pirate Flag Websites |  | ~Symbolising torment.
~ In this Particular flag the skeleton is a personified version of death.
~ Here he along side the captain are toasting death and its victory. |
Common Colors and Their Meanings
Pirate Flags Blackbeard |
| Black | | ~Symbolic of the end and death. ~Associated with pirates in the 1700's. |
| White | | ~Commonly used when in the chase. ~Used on an American pirate ship flag in the 18th century for horizontal white stripes over red. |
| Red | | ~The color of blood and no mercy.
~Red commonly meant no life would be spared or 'no quarter given'.
~Associated with pirates in the 1700's until the 19th century. |
Yellow
Pirate Flag Websites | | ~The meaning of this color was unknown by the 17th century however it is also a bright grab your attention color which when used with the others should be taken as a warning
~Used sparingly
Pirate Flags Blackbeard the pirate |
Pirate Flag Fact File