Pirates have been depicted in movies as lawless, bloodthirsty criminals who spent their days plundering treasure, drinking rum, and fighting naval battles. But the reality of pirate life was far more complex, and in many cases, downright bizarre. The traditions they lived by ranged from practical survival tactics to eerie superstitions, some of which would make even the most seasoned sailor raise an eyebrow.
Here are 13 of the strangest pirate traditions that Hollywood tends to ignore.
1. Earrings Were Pirate Life Insurance
Pirates didn’t just wear gold and silver earrings to look intimidating – those shiny accessories actually had a practical purpose. Many pirates engraved their home port on the inside of their earrings, ensuring that if they died at sea and their body washed ashore, they could be identified and given a proper burial.
Even more interesting, the gold and silver could be melted down to pay for funeral expenses. It wasn’t uncommon for pirates to believe that wearing precious metals also prevented drowning – a superstition that probably did little to help once they were tossed overboard in a storm.
2. The Jolly Roger Had Different Variations
The infamous black skull-and-crossbones flag that Hollywood loves to showcase wasn’t the only version of the Jolly Roger. In fact, pirate flags came in many designs, each with its own terrifying meaning. Some featured skeletons holding spears, hourglasses, or even bleeding hearts, all meant to strike fear into the hearts of their victims.
One of the most feared pirate flags wasn’t even black – it was bright red. Known as “The Bloody Red”, this flag meant that no prisoners would be taken. Anyone who resisted would be killed on sight. Unsurprisingly, most ships surrendered immediately when they saw that one go up.
3. Eye Patches Helped Pirates See in the Dark
Not every pirate wearing an eye patch was missing an eye. Some used them as a tactical advantage. Pirates often needed to move quickly between bright sunlight and the dark lower decks of a ship, where they could easily be ambushed.
By keeping one eye covered, they could instantly adapt to the darkness when lifting the patch, giving them an edge in close-quarters combat. This trick is still used today by some military forces and pilots who need to adjust to sudden changes in lighting.
4. Pirates Practiced Their Own Form of Marriage
A little-known fact about pirate society is that they had their own version of same-sex partnerships. It was called matelotage, and it went far beyond just being “shipmates.”
Pirates in matelotage shared everything, including property, responsibilities, and sometimes even romantic or physical relationships. In an era when most pirate crews were made up of men, these partnerships were often seen as a way to ensure loyalty and companionship during long and dangerous voyages.
The French government was so disturbed by this practice that they actually sent prostitutes to pirate havens in an attempt to break up these relationships. The result? It just led to even more scandalous affairs.
5. Blackbeard Used Smoke and Fire to Scare His Enemies
Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard, understood the power of psychological warfare. Before battle, he would braid pieces of burning hemp into his beard and under his hat, causing smoke to billow around his face like a demon from hell.
With his smoke-filled beard, multiple pistols strapped to his chest, and a reputation for brutality, Blackbeard terrified his enemies before he even fired a shot. Many ships simply surrendered at the sight of him, knowing they stood no chance against his legend.
6. Marooning Was the Ultimate Pirate Punishment
Forget walking the plank – if a pirate really messed up, his crew had a far worse punishment in store for him. Marooning was a brutal form of execution where a pirate was abandoned on a deserted island with nothing but a small ration of food, water, and maybe a pistol with a single shot.
The idea was simple: survive if you can. Most marooned pirates either starved to death or died from exposure. Only the luckiest were ever rescued by passing ships.
7. Pirates Were Surprisingly Good Mixologists
If there’s one thing pirates are known for, it’s rum. But they weren’t just drinking it straight – pirates actually helped popularize grog, a mix of rum, water, lemon juice, and sugar. This wasn’t just for taste – it was a survival necessity.
Fresh water on ships quickly became contaminated with bacteria, so mixing in alcohol helped kill off harmful microbes. The added lemon juice also helped prevent scurvy, a disease caused by vitamin C deficiency. Pirates may have been rowdy, but they were also practical when it came to their booze.
8. Pirates Loved Taking Hostages—Even Julius Caesar
Ransoming hostages was one of the most lucrative parts of piracy. Even the great Julius Caesar was captured by pirates in 75 BCE. Instead of begging for his life, he mocked them, demanded they ask for twice the ransom, and even wrote poetry for them while he was imprisoned.
Once he was freed, he hunted down the pirates who captured him and had them all crucified. Moral of the story? Think twice before taking the wrong hostage.
9. Pirates Rarely Buried Treasure
The idea of pirates burying treasure is mostly a Hollywood myth. In reality, stolen goods weren’t gold and jewels – they were food, weapons, alcohol, cloth, and other trade goods. Pirates needed to sell or use their loot immediately to survive.
The one pirate who actually did bury his treasure, Captain William Kidd, had his plan backfire spectacularly. His stash was discovered, used as evidence against him, and led to his execution.
10. Pirates Had Their Own Health Insurance System
Pirate crews took care of their own. If a pirate was injured in battle, he didn’t just get tossed overboard – he was compensated. Some pirate codes promised gold payouts for lost limbs or severe injuries.
For example, losing a leg might earn a pirate 800 pieces of silver, which was more than enough to retire comfortably. This system ensured that every crew member fought as hard as possible, knowing they’d be taken care of if they got hurt.
11. Walking the Plank Was Mostly a Myth
Despite what movies show, pirates rarely made people walk the plank. If they wanted to get rid of someone, they did it quickly – either by stabbing, shooting, or throwing them overboard.
A far worse punishment was keelhauling – tying a person to a rope, dragging them under the ship, and letting the razor-sharp barnacles tear their flesh apart. Compared to that, the plank actually sounds merciful.
12. Women Were Fierce Pirates Too
Pirate life was mostly male-dominated, but a few women broke the mold and became legendary pirates. Anne Bonny and Mary Read were two of the most feared female pirates, fighting alongside men disguised as men.
When Anne Bonny’s lover, Calico Jack, was captured and sentenced to death, she reportedly told him, “If you had fought like a man, you would not have been hanged like a dog.”
13. Pirates Had Strict Rules—And Severe Punishments
Despite their reputation for lawlessness, pirates actually followed a strict code of conduct. Breaking the rules could result in whippings, loss of pay, or even execution.
One of the most severe punishments was desertion—if a pirate abandoned his crew, he was hunted down and killed on sight. Loyalty was everything, and anyone who betrayed that trust paid the price.
A Strange and Complex Life
Pirate life was far stranger and more complex than the stories Hollywood tells. From secret marriages and night vision tricks to brutal punishments and terrifying battle tactics, the real lives of pirates were filled with surprising traditions.
The next time you watch a pirate movie, remember – the truth is always wilder than fiction.
Raised in a small Arizona town, Kevin grew up surrounded by rugged desert landscapes and a family of hunters. His background in competitive shooting and firearms training has made him an authority on self-defense and gun safety. A certified firearms instructor, Kevin teaches others how to properly handle and maintain their weapons, whether for hunting, home defense, or survival situations. His writing focuses on responsible gun ownership, marksmanship, and the role of firearms in personal preparedness.