Strange pirate traditions that most know nothing about

Pirates have a reputation as the most ruthless robbers in history. In many ways, they deserve it because of their "sophisticated" ways of communicating with people. In addition, they had some strange habits. Some of them, for example, wearing earrings, are known, while others are not.

The Pirate Code was an agreement that the robbers concluded with each other to establish some semblance of order and law within their midst. The pirates had their own code of honor, dictating the rules of clothing, behavior and battles with each other.

Pirate legends included stories about an item that could protect against drowning, explained why to wear a blindfold, and revealed the secret of Blackbeard. Today we learn a little more about their strange way of life.

Pirate earrings protected hearing and had mystical power.

The filibuster ships were equipped with numerous guns. For example, Blackbeard had forty of them. They were necessary in order to defeat an opponent in battle. A cannon shot was accompanied by a loud explosion and could stun a person. To prevent this, the cunning sea robbers wore wax plugs in their earrings. They put them in their ears when firing cannons.

Many superstitious ideas were also associated with earrings. Pirates believed in their magical effect. One legend said they could prevent motion sickness, while another said precious metals treat poor eyesight. In addition, they believed that a gold earring would not allow a pirate to drown.

Earrings served as a payment method.

Pirates spent their lives on the high seas, but did not want to die on the ocean floor. The earrings that the pirates wore in their ears were actually insurance to ensure that they would be given the proper burial. Whether gold or silver, the precious metal can be melted and sold in order to pay for the dead pirate being brought ashore and worthily buried. Some even made engraving in the form of the name of their port on the inside of the earrings, so that their bodies would be buried at home.

Scary flag

The Jolly Roger flag, which adorned the pirate masts, scared people. But the worst was the red sea flag. With it, the robbers signaled to the enemies that there would be no mercy. No one will be left alive. Seeing the blood-red flag, opponents often, without waiting for boarding, jumped from the ship.

Blackbeard's Cannabis Secret

The scariest pirate was Edward Teach, Blackbeard. And he maintained his reputation with the help of hemp. He was the captain of Queen Anne's Revenge. Before capturing someone else's ship, he wove hemp into his long dark beard and put on the captain's hat. He set fire to interwoven hemp, smoke was coming from his face, causing his rivals to fear for their lives. Besides the burning beard, the villain wore a raspberry cloak, at least two swords, a pistol and a knife.

Sometimes they came across famous hostages

Pirates have plowed the seas ever since humans first invented boats, and sometimes they come across famous hostages. In 75 BC pirates captured Julius Caesar, but when they asked for ransom only 20 talents, Caesar laughed in their faces and said that he was worth at least 50. While the emperor was in captivity, he read poetry to his jailers, but as soon as the ransom was paid , Caesar crucified the pirates in punishment.

Pirate blindfold

Some pirates did not have eyes, but the pirate blindfold had another practical use. Carrying it, the robbers always kept one eye adapted to night vision. They often had to switch from bright light on the deck to darkness in the hold of the ship. The blindfold was especially helpful when robbers raided or defended their own ships. Raising it, the pirate could see everything, even when there is little light.