Jolly Roger
Signal, Sport and Symbolic FlagsThe generic name for the flags flown by pirates in the early 18th century. Individual captains flew their own variants.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Jolly Roger |
|---|---|
| Category | Signal, Sport and Symbolic Flags |
| Adopted On | 1700 |
| Flag Proportion | 2:3 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 2 |
| Main Colors | Black, White |
| Design Type | Black field with a skull and crossed bones |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code |
|---|---|---|
| Black | #000000 | |
| White | #FFFFFF |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Black colour | Represents the field |
|---|---|
| White colour | Represents the skull and bones |
| Skull and crossbones | A pirate’s warning that quarter would be given if a ship surrendered — a plain red flag meant no quarter at all |
Facts about the Flag of Jolly Roger
- There was never a single pirate flag. Individual captains flew their own designs — skeletons, hourglasses, bleeding hearts, raised swords — and the standard skull and crossbones is a later simplification.
- The hourglass, where it appears, was a specific message: time is running out to surrender.
- The generic name for the flags flown by pirates in the early 18th century. Individual captains flew their own variants.
- The flag belongs to piracy in the golden age. It is used in the Caribbean and the Atlantic.
- It was founded in the early eighteenth century.
- The flag was adopted in 1700.
- The design is 326 years old as of 2026.
- Construction: Black field with a skull and crossed bones.
- It is normally drawn to a ratio of 2:3, which makes it rectangular.
- The flag uses 2 colours: black and white.
- The black stands for the field.
- The white stands for the skull and bones.
- Skull and crossbones: A pirate’s warning that quarter would be given if a ship surrendered — a plain red flag meant no quarter at all.
- The skull and crossbones version is associated with Calico Jack Rackham and Edward England; a plain red flag meant no quarter would be given.
- It is filed here under Signal, Sport and Symbolic Flags, one of the categories of flag that belong to no country.
Frequently asked questions about the Jolly Roger
What is the Jolly Roger?
The generic name for the flags flown by pirates in the early 18th century. Individual captains flew their own variants.
Whose flag is the Jolly Roger?
It is the flag of piracy in the golden age, used in the Caribbean and the Atlantic.
When was piracy in the golden age founded?
Piracy in the golden age was founded in the early eighteenth century.
When was the Jolly Roger adopted?
The Jolly Roger was adopted in 1700.
What do the colours of the Jolly Roger mean?
Black for the field and white for the skull and bones.
What do the symbols on the Jolly Roger mean?
Skull and crossbones — A pirate’s warning that quarter would be given if a ship surrendered — a plain red flag meant no quarter at all.
What are the proportions of the Jolly Roger?
It is normally drawn to a ratio of 2:3, which makes it rectangular.
What else is worth knowing about the Jolly Roger?
The skull and crossbones version is associated with Calico Jack Rackham and Edward England; a plain red flag meant no quarter would be given.
Is the Jolly Roger a national flag?
No. It is not the flag of any sovereign state and is listed here under Signal, Sport and Symbolic Flags.
How many colours are on the Jolly Roger?
It uses 2 colours: black and white.
