There are many reasons why pirates wear earrings. The Father of History: Who Was Herodotus. What Does St. Brigids Cross Symbol Mean? Captains could afford such items as their share of booty was double that of an ordinary crew member. Pirates, especially those who fired the ships cannons during close combat with the enemy, dangled wads of wax from their earrings to use as earplugs, Doug Lennox writes in Now You Know Big Book of Answers.. Vikings wore trousers, long-sleeve shirts, and belted tunics. According to the rules, earrings may not be worn while working as a government employee in civilian dress. Secondly, much of the treasure consisted of perishable goods like fabric, cocoa, food or other things that would quickly become ruined if buried. Eventually, many of these privateers figured out that they could get a lot richer a lot faster if they raided ships and kept the booty for themselves. The gold hoops ensured that if their body washed ashore there would be enough money for a funeral, as whoever found the body could use the gold jewelry as payment for burial. Ancient Romans distinguished their Nubian slaves from the free population by giving them earrings. Fearsome Captain Black Bart Roberts (c. 1682-1722) was so famous for his scarlet attire that his principal enemy, the French, named him le jolie rouge (the pretty red). Wearing earrings is more than just a fashion statement; it is also a form of protection. This was a very common practice amongst all seafaring folk in this era. The jewelry is worn expressly for protection from evil forces and misfortunes. Common sailors were known to wear a single gold earring in one ear. A romantic explanation also claims that sailors earrings symbolize their love of the sea. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. Well, although a lot of this was undoubtedly true of actual 17th and early 18th-century pirates, this enduring image of the salty peg-legged parrot-wearing pirate is probably a product of a much later work of fiction. Bartholomew Roberts famously wore a feathered hat, while Blackbeard (aka Edward Teach, d. 1718) was known to wear lit fuses under his hat whenever he went into battle. Like this etching of a pirate. Another way to differentiate a pirate from an ordinary sailor is that pirates often wore jewelry. Shirts were often left open at the neck, though were otherwise tight, since a billowing shirt could prove dangerous when climbing rigging and working in tight spaces. Jewelry was the perfect solution as it made it harder for a person to steal what you are wearing compared to a purse you are carrying or a safe you keep at home or travel with. As a nostalgic ritual for his victory over the Adriatic pirates 1000 years ago, Venices doge used to ritually toss the golden ring into the sea on Ascension day. Some pirates also believed that their earrings would make God guide and protect them as they went through their daily activities. The REAL Reasons Pirates Wore Gold Earrings, Eyepatches, & More The gold earrings pirates wore served a couple different purposes. Cilician pirates favored long tunics and togas. Pirates have gained a reputation for wearing bright and distinctive clothing and accessories during the Golden Age of Piracy (1690-1730) even if, in reality, most of what we think they wore comes from works of fiction like Robert Louis Stevensons 1883 novel Treasure Island. Webwhat kind of jewelry did pirates wear. Pirate Clothing in the Golden Age of Piracy. What Do I Tell My Daughter On Her Wedding Day? (21). Furthermore, they use seawater to wash their clothes, which can result in discoloration. At the same time, ornaments distinguish people from animals and other tribes. Do you agree? A pirate gold earring is a type of earring that is commonly worn by pirates. Who is Johnny Depps uncle? The earrings and other jewelry like necklaces worn by pirate chiefs were a statement to society that hey, look how well we are doing. Ordinary pirate. Their goal was to look as intimidating and wealthy as possible, in order to strike fear into their enemies and impress potential allies. It can help you get more visitors. Historians have unearthed evidence that proves this like engraved names and hometowns found on pirates rings. There would probably have been exotic textiles used to accessorize silk or calico shawls. 3 Do pirates wear silver or gold? Since they would have to do this many times per day, the loss in depth perception was perhaps made up in the decreased light-adjustment time. He holds an MA in Political Philosophy and is the WHE Publishing Director. Its also commonly believed that mariners wore a gold earring in order to pay for a funeral on land, rather than to be buried at sea. Now, the man in the image is starting to look more like a pirate and not just like a stylish 17th-century man. But warrior groups have often worn war paint to appear more aggressive and, given that pirates were exposed to many different cultures, some of which certainly did wear makeup, there's nothing to suggest that they didn't. Wearing earrings while on official duty is against the law. If a pirates body washed up on the shore after a storm, the cost of the earring, once sold, could be used to ferry him back to his home port. Pirates too wore gold jewelry from their pillages as a statement of their financial well-being. Some pirates may choose to wear earrings as a way to show off their wealth or as a sign of their piratical status, while others may avoid them altogether. Did pirates wear makeup? What do you think about pirates? World History Encyclopedia. What are some of the pirates favorite earrings? Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms. Seamen of all kinds certainly wore hats, but these were usually reserved for cold weather and were tight-fitting caps made of wool or leather that did not get blown off in high winds. Sir Francis Drake on the right and Muslim privateer on the left. "Pirate Clothing in the Golden Age of Piracy." Boy Pirate by William Meade PrinceWilliam Meade Prince (Public Domain). Scar tissue around the piercing hole forms over time, which means that acupuncture has lost its long-term benefits. However certain pieces of jewelry have been more than just decorations or additions to the natural aesthetic beauty of the wearers. In the golden age of piracy, it was known that pirates would drill holes in coins and wear them on necklaces and bracelets. The gold hoop earrings are a symbol of luxury and extravagance, but they have a long and rich history in other cultures. Anne Franks Legacy: How Her Story Changed the World. Her clothing would have either been plundered from a vessel or she would have made it herself or had it made. Jewelry was regarded as a form of rebellion against society in ancient times, and pirates were considered social outcasts. They can also bring it with them anywhere. This was also the Golden Age of seafaring, the trade and travel that went with the ever-expanding British, Spanish, and Netherlandish empires turning the oceans of the world into busy highways. Fishermen in Scotland had to pay their funeral expenses out of their own pockets. But, as it turns out, there were some very interesting reasons why pirates looked the way they did! How did pirates dress in real life? They would often wear large hoop earrings, chunky gold chains, and bejeweled rings. Finally, in colder weather, sailors wore knitted gloves or mittens and round-toed leather shoes tied with a small buckle or latchets (laces). Most clothing was plain, but there were also stripes and chequered patterns, too, and a dash of brighter colours like scarlet and yellow could be added to ones appearance with silk scarves and short sashes. Traditional Mexican costume. Buttons for coats and any other type of clothing were typically made of brass, tin, bone, horn, or disks covered in fabric. As a professional Gothic Ring supplier, we have a special chapter to show our pirate jewelry. Other pieces of jewelry have been worn by mankind as good luck charms while others as outside symbols of deeper vows and commitments made to a cause or a fellow human-like in marriage. Due to the high cost of this armor, only wealthy Vikings wore it. Most pirates also wore a single gold earring whose significance went beyond just beauty. Still others pierced both ears. In heavy weather, a seaman might prefer a much longer and more waterproof long coat made of canvas. Pirates basically gave [these laws] a, to hell with you! The mindset was, I no longer allow you to tell me what I can and cannot do, says Selinger. Silk was extraordinarily expensive and an average sailor could never afford to wear it, so we see pirates using clothing as a means to show this breaking away from the sartorial mores of that time. Jackets might have been worn for warmth, but were similarly cropped to prevent them from getting tangled in rigging. These were often made from gold or silver, and some Pirates were known for their flashy and bold fashion sense, and this extended to their jewelry choices as well. They are thought to have been used by the ancient Egyptians to decorate the ears of mummies. Because of their use of earrings, the use of earrings has become one of the things that has been romanticized about pirates. Pirates were free-spirited people who did not believe in being confined by such senseless dictates which made them hit back at the unfair systems by dressing extravagantly and appearing in public as a dare to the ruling class and the authorities in towns then to try them. The engraving of the pirates home port on the earring made it easy for people to recognize the pirates hometown. When you hear the word pirate, what springs to mind? Though many of the stories surrounding the image of a pirate are all but myth, theres no denying that they knew how to dazzle and delight with their attire. Bartholomew Roberts (aka 'Black Bart' Roberts, c. 1682-1722) was so famous for a scarlet silk coat and matching damask waistcoat that the French - his principal enemy - called him le jolie rouge ("the pretty red"). They can also bring it with them anywhere. In warmer weather, the most popular hat for keeping off the sun - at least according to some contemporary descriptions - was a light round hat with a very narrow and circular brim. Pirates are famous for their gold earrings and eyepatches, neither of which were at all common for mariners to wear during the Golden Age of Piracy. WebA sash worn around the waist, fashioned from a luxurious material such as silk and his outfit adorned with gold jewelry. 4 Why did pirates put gold hoops on their bodies? Earrings were insurance for a proper funeral which was a constant reality that pirates had to live with because of their risky lifestyles. Pirate captains only wear jewelry, specifically gold earrings, gold rings, and gold chains. They wear jewelry to keep it safe when it is on their person. They can also bring it with them anywhere. Do pirates wear jewelry? Another way to differentiate a pirate from an ordinary sailor is that pirates often wore jewelry. Earrings were regarded as effeminate. Hundreds of history documentaries, ad free podcasts and subscriber rewards. Jewelry was thought to be symbolic in various stages of human development. Pirates use cloth tied around their neck and tucked in front of their vest, similar to neckties today. what kind of jewelry did pirates wear.