It is believed that the idea was borrowed from the designs on the flags of Barbary pirates (Ottoman corsairs) that used to operate under a green flag with a skull symbol. This trademark, the skull and crossbones symbol, had first been recorded on flags from the 17th century. This can’t be proven because “Jolie Rouge” hasn’t been mentioned in any historical document regarding pirates.

Some scholars claim that it is based on the expression “Jolie Rouge” meaning “Pretty Red.” They base this conclusion on the fact that French privateers used a red flag on their boats. “Old Roger” was the devil’s nickname, so presumably, this term was later modified to signify the grinding skull or skeleton in pirate flags – also a symbol of the devil (or death).Īnother theory suggests a different etymology of the term. In a naval report from 1703, it was mentioned in regard to a pirate called John Quelch who was sailing under the “Old Roger” off the coast of Brazil. He witnessed a pirate flag with a skeleton stabbing a heart with a spear, which the pirates called “Jolly Roger,” being risen on the ship’s mast.Īs previously stated, the term “Jolly Roger” already existed in different connotations. This means that the term “Jolly Roger” had already been used for the good old black pirate flag in any shape and not only for today’s common design.Ī testimony from a man who was captured by pirates in 1724 supports this idea.

Both of them used the same expression for their flags, although they were both different and neither of them had the skull and crossbones on it. In his book, Johnson mentions two pirate captains that had called their flag “Jolly Roger” – Bartholomew Roberts in 1721 and Francis Spriggs in 1723. This period (the 1720’s) was also known as the “Golden Age of Piracy.” Research has shown that the use of the expression “Jolly Roger” for pirate flags (at least in written accounts) can be traced back to 1724 when Charles Johnson’s book, “A General History of the Pyrates”, was published.

In this age of “internet piracy,” this flag can be seen everywhere in the realm of the World Wide Web. It even became a symbol of a political party (The Pirate Party). Besides being used as a fashion template, it also symbolises any form of resistance against authorities. Historically, the skull and crossbones symbol was used by pirate ships to inform the targets they’re about to attack. So how and when did this term started to identify pirate flags? In the early 17th century, “Jolly Roger” had been a term used for a cheerful, friendly fellow but it seems like that has nothing to do with the vicious and dangerous pirates and the flags that decorated their ships.

Logo skull and bones