Results: Jolly Roger
Published on 09/26/2023
When one thinks of a pirate flag, it's usually a white skull and cross-bones over a black background. Not all pirate flags looked this way though, and the symbols can be interesting. Below are five...
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1.
"Black Sam" Bellamy - Old Roger is a nickname for the Devil, some feel this is one possible origin of the name for a pirate flag. Bellamy flew the type most think of. He was a sailor turned pirate and the wealthiest in recorded history, capturing 53 ships in just over the year of time he was a pirate. Have you ever used an alternate name for the Devil?
Yes - there's that old saying "Speak of the Devil, and he appears".
20%
437 votes
No - I have no problem using "Devil" or names like Satan or Lucifer.
50%
1100 votes
Not Applicable
30%
663 votes
2.
2.
Christopher Moody - Another possible origin of Jolly Roger was jolie rouge, French for 'pretty red' since some pirate flags were red, such as Moody's. The winged hour glass meant one's time was up, the sword a fight and the skull death. Red meant no quarter given. If you found yourself attacked by pirates, would you find this flag more frightening than the typical one?
Yes
27%
596 votes
No
36%
791 votes
Not Applicable
37%
813 votes
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3.
Edward Teach - Known by his moniker Blackbeard, Teach captured a French slave ship he named 'Queen Anne's Revenge' fitting it with 40 cannon and a crew of 300. The figure is a mix of the devil (notice the horns) and a skeleton. He's holding a drinking glass, a toast to him or death. The bleeding heart was slow / painful death. Pirates are typically known for drinking rum or grog (rum mixed with water). The reason being sea water was not safe, and water reserves would turn stagnant. It also prevented scurvy. Ever drink rum?
Yes
47%
1036 votes
No
24%
536 votes
Not Applicable
29%
628 votes
4.
4.
Henry Every - One of very few major pirate captains to escape with his loot without being arrested or killed in battle, the most common flag associated with him is a skull in profile with a bandana and earring over cross-bones. Ever dressed as a pirate for Halloween, a party, etc?
Yes
18%
400 votes
No
54%
1194 votes
Not Applicable
28%
606 votes
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5.
Bartholomew Roberts - Also known as 'Black Bart', he was a Welsh pirate who came up with his own pirate code and captured many ships in his time. Dread Pirate Roberts from "The Princess Bride" likely comes from him. He had several flags over his career, this one shows him and death holding an hourglass. Speaking of which, ever owned an hourglass?
Yes
29%
631 votes
No
44%
969 votes
Not Applicable
27%
600 votes
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