"Death Mark"

Post by **marilyn morning** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 3:58 am

Is there a proper name for the "mark" being used to represent this child's death at sea?

http://talkingscot.com/gallery/displayi ... ?pos=-1278

Regards
Marilyn

JustJean · Post by **JustJean** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 4:27 am

Hi Marilyn

I've always thought it was just a "skull and crossbones" and represented death. Probably more familiar to our modern thinking as a symbol for marking poisonous substances but having a history including association with pirates as well! Can't tell you just where it originated but I bet a good google would turn up all sorts of neat stuff

The registrar was quite the little artist!

Best wishes
Jean

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 8:24 am

Hi Marilyn
The "skull and crossbones" also turns up on old Scottish gravestones.
Best wishes
Lesley

Hugh Stevely · Post by **Hugh Stevely** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 10:16 am

Hi all i was just readiing your post and found a bit info.

The purpose of the pirate flag was to strike fear into the hearts of intended prey and encourage a fast surrender. Often, victims would surrender without a shot being fired just based on the the nefarious reputation of the pirate.

The Jolly Roger was just such a design. While it was commonly associated with pirates, it was not as greatly feared as the red "NO QUARTER" flag which meant that no mercy would be shown if the prey did not immediately surrender.

Pirates, contrary to popular belief, preferred an easy bloodless victory to toe-to-toe battle.

The term Jolly Roger actually refers to these flags as a group. Pirate flags often depicted symbols of death (a skull and crossbones was commonly seen on grave stones and skeletons were the symbols of the undead).

The Jolly Roger may have gotten its name from a common name for the devil -Old Roger - but is more likely derived from the French name for the red "No Quarter" flag - Jolie Rouge

Could be the child died of a Contagious Disease note the Mark?.

Have a look at the link.

http://www.edinphoto.org.uk/0_a_l/0_aro ... o_name.htm

Orraverybest.

Hugh.

Post by **marilyn morning** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 12:57 am

Hi Jean, Lesley and Hugh

Thanks for your replies!

Yes, I knew that the skull & crossbones represents death. The link I posted was a notation from a passenger list and I was just curious if it was symbolic or not?

Hugh that was another very interesting link.

Regards
Marilyn

Hugh Stevely · Post by **Hugh Stevely** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 2:17 pm

Hi Marilyn.

Yes a very interesting link a lot of info and some very good old photos.

Cheers Hugh.