Since the olden days, whenever other vessels see a pirate flag, it immediately injects fear and alarm. Many sea vessels actually surrender when they see the flag and the pirate ship approaching. The pioneering pirates displayed a red flag, which signaled the other boat to immediately surrender without showing any restraint. The banner was called the Blood Flag and it was usually waved together with the flag of their country of origin. Pirates would show the black flag if the other boat would fight back or indicated that they would not succumb to their demands.
Pirates always used symbols to initially cause fear and panic to other sea vessels. The symbols became a useful strategy to get what they wish without having to fire a single cannon. There were many elements shown on flags like crossed swords, flaming blades, skeletons and hourglasses. One of the most well-known symbols was the Jolly Roger, featuring a skull and crossbones against a black canton. Many say that it originated from the Jolie Rouge of the French or rouge laws of England. The term “Roger” may have come from the symbol, indicating thieves or a powerful bull.
The Jolly Roger also signified death. Dancing skeletons usually mean flirting with death while a raised glass meant toasting death.
The Blackbeard flag is one of the most feared, which features a horned skeleton together with a spear, a bleeding heart and an hourglass. Bartholomew Roberts also introduced a flag featuring a pirate together with a spear and hourglass which most likely symbolized death.