What symbol appears beside Metallica's logo on the original cover of The Black Album?

A coiled snake appears beside Metallica's logo on the original cover of The Black Album. The snake is positioned in the lower-right area of the nearly black design.

The image was derived from the Gadsden flag, an American flag design featuring a rattlesnake and the motto “Don't Tread on Me.” That motto also became the title of a song on Metallica's album, creating a direct connection between the packaging and the track list.

On the initial release, both the band's logo and the snake were embossed so subtly that they almost disappeared into the black background. This minimalist packaging led listeners to call the self-titled record “The Black Album.” Later releases used dark gray emblems that were easier to see, but the original design remains the source of the nickname.