Black Flag 🏴
Copy & Meaning

The black flag emoji, depicting a simple solid black flag. This emoji has multiple historical and symbolic meanings. Historically, black flags were used by pirates before the iconic skull-and-crossbones design (the Jolly Roger) became standard. In modern times, the black flag is most commonly associated with anarchism—the 'Black Flag movement' has used it since the late 19th century as a symbol of resistance to state authority and oppression.

Militarily, a black flag has historically signaled 'no quarter'—meaning the bearer would neither give nor accept surrender—standing as the opposite of the white flag of surrender. In motorsports like Formula 1, a black flag is shown to a driver indicating disqualification or that they must report to the pits. In some cultures, black flags are used as funeral or mourning flags. The emoji is multifaceted with meanings ranging from anarchist symbolism, to mourning, to ominous foreboding, to dark humor.