Nobody knows what the original purpose of the pirate flag is but many people believe that the black and white was to strike fear into the hearts of the enemy it was often designed to show death and despair. The red flag was feared even more than the black and white flag because it meant that there would be no mercy.

It is believed that the red flag comes from the pirate Jolly Roger. It is also believed that it comes from the French words “pretty Red”, or, “Jolly Rouge”. The scull and cross bones was believed to indicate the death of a sailor in the captains log.