---
title: Pirate Flag
author: Bastianow
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14435/pirate-flag/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
updated: 1970-01-01
---
# Pirate Flag
_Authored by Bastianow_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/14435.png)
## Image Caption
A pirate flag (often attributed to the pirate Christopher Moody) showing typical symbols of [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/). Various combinations of such symbols - weapons, a bleeding heart, hourglass, wings, skull and crossbones - were used by pirates on a black or red background to intimidate an enemy into surrendering without resistance.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Bastianow. (2021, August 17). Pirate Flag. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Bastianow. "Pirate Flag." *World History Encyclopedia*, August 17, 2021. .
### MLA
Bastianow. "Pirate Flag." *World History Encyclopedia*, 17 Aug 2021, .
## License & Copyright
[Original image](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Christopher_Moody.svg) by [**Bastianow**](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Christopher_Moody.svg). Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 17 August 2021. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon a work even for commercial reasons, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.