The ruthless pirate Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard, terrorized the Caribbean Seas in the early 18th century. He is one of the most famous pirates in history, and he was known for his fearsome appearance and his brutality. Blackbeard was also a master tactician and pirate, leading his fleet of ships to capture many valuable cargoes and to murder many people on the high seas. The Blackbeard pirate flag, which features a skeleton stabbing a heart with a spear, is believed to represent Blackbeard’s ruthlessness and the heart represents his victims. This pirate flag was used to instill fear in his enemies, and it is a popular symbol among fans of pirates and maritime history today.More info:ultimateflags.com
Hoist the Colors: Pirate Blackbeard Flags Collection
While there is some controversy over whether or not Blackbeard flew this particular pirate flag, it remains a very popular image of the notorious pirate. The flag features a horned skeleton holding an hourglass in one hand and a spear piercing a heart with three drops of blood in the other. This design is often referred to as the Devil’s flag or the Blackbeard flag, and it was designed to instill fear and warn his enemies that they would face a horrible fate if they did not surrender.
Unfortunately, there is little historical evidence to support the claim that Blackbeard actually used this pirate flag. In fact, the horned skeleton image did not appear on any pirate flags that were documented at the time of his death, and it only became associated with Blackbeard after the publication of the 1978 book “Pirates of the Spanish Main.” Historian E.T. Fox suggests that the popular version of this pirate flag may be a modern invention.