The "Jolly Roger" is a traditional flag associated with pirates, typically featuring a skull and crossbones on a black background. This flag was used to signify that a ship was crewed by pirates, often to intimidate their targets into surrendering without a fight. The design has become a symbol of piracy in popular culture. The origins of the Jolly Roger date back to the 17th century, when pirates began using distinctive flags to represent their identity. Various pirate captains, such as Blackbeard and Bartholomew Roberts, had their own versions of the flag, which sometimes included additional symbols or colors to convey different messages.