What flag inspired the coiled snake shown on Metallica’s Black Album cover?

The coiled snake on Metallica’s Black Album cover was derived from the Gadsden flag. The cover places the subtly outlined snake in the lower-right corner beneath the band’s dark logo.

The Gadsden flag is an American historical flag featuring a rattlesnake and the motto “Don’t Tread on Me.” Metallica connected that imagery directly to the album by including “Don’t Tread on Me” as one of its 12 tracks.

The original cover was intentionally restrained. The logo and snake were embossed so they could barely be seen against the black background, producing the visual effect that led fans to call the record The Black Album. Later editions used darker gray emblems that are easier to distinguish.

The design is sometimes confused with other American flags because the album does not reproduce the Gadsden flag in full color. Its black presentation is a stylized adaptation, while the identifying visual idea—the coiled snake—comes from the Gadsden design.