Which symbol appeared on the distinctive flag associated with pirate Calico Jack?

Calico Jack’s distinctive pirate flag showed a skull above two crossed swords.

Calico Jack was the nickname of John Rackham, an English pirate active in the Caribbean during the early eighteenth century. His flag used a human skull and crossed swords rather than the more familiar skull and crossed bones associated with many later depictions of the Jolly Roger.

The design is especially connected with Rackham because surviving descriptions and later historical illustrations identify the skull-and-swords motif with his crew. Pirate flags were not standardized: captains and crews often used different colors, symbols, and patterns to identify themselves and intimidate a target.

Rackham is also remembered for sailing with Anne Bonny and Mary Read. He was captured in 1720 and later executed in Jamaica. The flag should not be confused with a universal emblem used by every pirate.