In pirate films, a black flag is usually flown over the ship. It most often features crossbones and a skull. This is the famous Jolly Roger. However, it did not always fly over pirate ships.
Where did he come from?
The flag that is now called the "Jolly Roger" actually existed four centuries ago. True, he was far from the only one. The pirates hung all kinds of pennants on their masts. Who exactly was the first to hang the "Jolly Roger", historians argue to this day. In any case, it was such a flag that flew on the mast of the ship of the famous pirate Emmanuel Vine.
The crossbones skull was also on the Stead Bonnet flag. True, on the ship's pennants of those times, along with the skull there were other emblems - an hourglass, a heart and a dagger. The colors were not chosen entirely by chance. Black in the heraldic tradition symbolized freedom, and during the battle - the presentation of an ultimatum. The white image on it was seen better than others. However, the flag with the skull and bones could have been red - in heraldry, this color symbolizes war.
Where did the name come from?
There are several versions of the origin of the name "Jolly Roger". In English it sounds like Jolly Roger. Some historians of the "coastal brotherhood" believe that this name is of French origin. The bright red flag in French was called the Joyeux Rouge. During the attack, a black flag was first raised, then, if the enemy did not pay attention to the ultimatum, a red one. The British changed the French name, which was difficult for them, into a more familiar to their ear.
However, there is another legend about the name. If an epidemic of some fatal disease at that time began on the ship, a black flag with two white diagonals appeared on the mast. Other ships were not supposed to approach as it was dangerous for the crews. This circumstance was taken advantage of by the pirates - the prohibition of other ships to approach guaranteed some safety. The white diagonals eventually turned into dice.
From the eastern seas
There is also an "eastern" version of the origin of the flag and name. The natives of many countries, including those on the shores of the Indian Ocean, were engaged in pirate craft. Tamil pirates called their "clan" "Ali Raja", which, according to legend, the British converted into Jolly Roger. However, none of the versions is fully proven. It is possible that the famous pirate emblem got its name from Roger of Siculus, on the scarlet of which two crossed bones flaunted. Despite the fact that there were many pirate flags, the Jolly Roger gained the most popularity. He became especially famous at the beginning of the last century, after the publication of the novel by R. Stevenson "Treasure Island".