9,411 Jolly Roger pirate flag stock photos, vectors, and illustrations are available royalty-free.

During the Golden Age of Piracy, most pirates’ flags displayed a skull and crossbones or skeletons on a black background. They were designed to frighten passing ships into surrendering without a fight, the skull and bones symbolizing death. Pirates hoped that if their prey saw the flag they would realize that the pirates weren’t bound by the usual rules of engagement and could slaughter them all. Pirates also used the red background to indicate that they would give no quarter if they did engage in battle.

Embrace the Pirate Spirit: Jolly Roger Flags Collection

Pirate Flags – Jolly Roger Flags Collection is credited with being the first to use the skull and crossbones as a pirate flag, though his design also included an hourglass underneath the skull. His flag was flown during a fight with the HMS Poole on 18th July 1700 and Wynn was killed in the battle. Francis Spriggs and Bartholomew Roberts also reportedly called their flags the Jolly Roger, though they didn’t feature the popular skull and crossbones design. The name Jolly Roger most likely came from the French phrase jolie rouge, meaning pretty red.

Today’s Jolly Roger is the most common of all pirate flag designs, often adorned with a single skull and crossed bones on a black background. The skull and crossbones represent the feared pirates’ threat of death and are the most recognized symbol of piracy. You can fly this pirate flag at your boat, in your camp or even at home to show your love of the Pirates.