Calico Jack Jolly Roger Pirate Flags Symbols Charm

Calico Jack, sometimes known as John Rackham, was an English pirate captain who operated in the Bahamas and Cuba in the early 18th century. His nickname was derived from the calico attire he wore, whereas Jack is a nickname for 'John'. Rackham is frequently given credit for conceiving or designing the Jolly Roger. While the bulk of pirate crews employed designs that depicted whole human skeletons with weapons, Calico Jack popularised a classic pirate flag design that has become synonymous with maritime piracy – a black banner with a white human skull and two white crossed swords underneath it.