They wear jewelry to keep it safe when it is on their person. The engraving of the pirates home port on the earring made it easy for people to recognize the pirates hometown. But, as it turns out, there were some very interesting reasons why pirates looked the way they did! Typical clothing known as slops included breeches, caps and linen shirts made up of an array of materials and colours. A pirate gold earring is a type of earring that is commonly worn by pirates. Artistic jewelry is more about making a statement. Webcze 23, 2022 | how has the catholic church influenced mexican culture | how has the catholic church influenced mexican culture Some pirates were convinced that wearing an earring would improve or even cure bad eyesight, as they believed that the precious metals in an earring possessed magical healing powers. It is ultimately up to the individual pirate to decide whether or not to wear earrings. Life at sea was a tough career, and clothing had to be both hard-wearing and practical. Earrings guaranteed that a pirates funeral expenses could be paid for by providing either a down payment or full payment towards a pirates funeral if he died at sea and was washed ashore or died at the shore. Russian women also used earrings as amulets to protect their husbands from injury in the war. Some superstitious pirates wore earrings to ward off bad luck, while others engraved the port on their earrings to pay homage to their seafaring ancestors. When a pirate died on land or at sea, a pirate skull ring was used as a sign of rebellion in addition to being used as a first payment for the pirates funeral. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1839/pirate-clothing-in-the-golden-age-of-piracy/. A silk sash could be worn across one shoulder which was useful for keeping pistols in. Rings and necklaces were easily portable wealth and hard to steal since they were on their person. They can also bring it with them anywhere. It is, of course, possible that some pirates may have actually had eye injuries with all the battling done in their line of work, but it was certainly not the norm. So, pirates in the 1600s often wore calico shirts. Pirates are famous for their gold earrings & eyepatches, neither of which were at all common for mariners to wear. History and examples, National dress of Kenya easy, bright and heavily decorated clothing, National dress of Scotland. Therefore, every effort is made to dress up with the help of grooming -- from simple makeup to exquisite jewelry, to make the body perfect day by day. Rings and necklaces were easily portable wealth and hard to steal since they were on their person. Baggy trousers had the advantage they could be easily rolled up when swabbing the decks, climbing rigging, or wading ashore. For sailors to commemorate the first crossing of the equator or the daring journey across the perilous waters of Cape Horn, earrings were given to them. Imagine this lot of flamboyant finery with a pistol or two tucked somewhere and a cutlass at the hip, and one has the perfect image of a pirate out and about and ready to paint the town red. Another cause of loss of sight in one eye was because some seamen had to frequently stare at the sun over a sighting stick, an instrument used for navigation. Leather pockets were often stitched onto trousers. In reality, pirates often wore earrings as a form of currency. Vikings wore trousers, long-sleeve shirts, and belted tunics. It also became the pirate attire of captains. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms. The first pirates weren't really pirates at all, they were called privateers and were hired by governments to attack and plunder enemy ships to wage economic terror. There are also superstitions about certain items of jewelry bringing certain kinds of luck and sailors of all kinds are known the world round for being extra superstitious. "If you were a pirate or a thief, you would never be buried. (c) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufU80fD9_0w, About site Contact us Advertising. Or swords? 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.. This is partly since being thieves themselves, they knew that stealing an item from someones body was not easy. In the golden age of piracy, it was known that pirates would drill holes in coins and wear them on necklaces and bracelets. History Hit brings you the stories that shaped the world through our award winning podcast network and an online history channel. At the same time, ornaments distinguish people from animals and other tribes. Home; About The neck was protected from the wind by a neck scarf, additionally useful in Caribbean waters to mop up sweat. twilight zone train to nowhere. Pirates wore gold jewelry from their pillages to demonstrate their financial well-being. Possibly. The loops of pirate earrings served a very important role while the pirates were at sea. Since I was a little girl, I have been obsessed with fashion and business. And, of course, he'd need his jewelry as well. Cilician pirates favored long tunics and togas. Many would not be aware, but pirates jewelry was mainly composed of coins. What Are the Types of Pirate Ships? 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. And the first real difference is in terms of textiles. People are not satisfied with the beauty of nature. Pirates believed that wearing a golden earring was good for eyesight and that wearing one improved their vision. Gold was specifically believed to be the perfect talisman that saved pirates from drowning at sea and a guarantee that the sailors would return safely back to land. Earrings have been known to distinguish people in certain cultures and civilizations. Their creed, their belief, and their entire life and daily activities were driven by the need to acquire money and protect what they had from thieves like them. What a way to prepay for your funeral! Engraving. Thank you! Bartholomew Roberts from Assassin's Creed IV: Black FlagUbisoft (Copyright, fair use). The second reason is that it was a finger to the wealthy establishment back home, where only the ruling class wore sashes. Captains could afford such items as their share of booty was double that of an ordinary crew member. It is also possible that some pirates wore earrings while others did not, as there was no one uniform or dress code that all pirates followed. Rings and necklaces were easily portable wealth and hard to steal since they were on their person. Pirates were, by and large, sailors, so they had to do everything a regular sailor had to do climb rigging, haul sails, etc. WebA sash worn around the waist, fashioned from a luxurious material such as silk and his outfit adorned with gold jewelry. There is no definitive answer to this question, as there is no clear evidence one way or the other. Some pirates believed that earrings would protect them against drowning and ensure that they got back to safety. Pirates would sometimes wear earrings and other jewelry as a way of concealing their identities. And finally, some people believe that pirates wore earrings because they thought it made them look more intimidating. Please note that some of these recommendations are listed under our old name, Ancient History Encyclopedia. Anne Franks Legacy: How Her Story Changed the World. Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain. As in the past, a pirates neck is covered in cloth and tucked behind his vest, just as in the past. The origins of the gold hoop earrings worn by pirates are unknown. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. His ships articles, which all Roberts crew were obliged to sign when joining up, stipulated that each man received a "shift of cloaths" from each vessel taken. Women who wear civilian clothing on military installations or while traveling on government transportation are now permitted to wear earrings while on leave, though men in uniform are still prohibited. When it comes to pirate clothing, it is influenced by how gentlemen dressed in the 1700s. Wearing earrings while on official duty is against the law. Eyepatches might have been worn, as eye injuries on board were not uncommon when sailing a ship, and eyesight damage was common as a result of sun glare. Sometimes, they shaved with broken glass. In the golden age of piracy, it was known that pirates would drill holes in coins and wear them on necklaces and bracelets. Pirate Clothing in the Golden Age of Piracy. Its easy to imagine them as bold and fearless adventuresome souls roaming the sea in search of treasures and adventures. Another way to differentiate a pirate from an ordinary sailor is that pirates often wore jewelry. Ships? And theres a really good reason why. She would probably have worn quite a bit of stolen jewelry given to her by her husband or her boyfriend as a means of showing off his successor piracy. We love jewelry and we love sharing information about it with others. These laws were ruthlessly implemented and flouting them attracted hefty monetary fines or long unfair jail terms. Because he didn't have to haul rigging or swab decks, his clothing would be more structured and fit a little tighter. Her clothing would have either been plundered from a vessel or she would have made it herself or had it made. While fancy clothing on board was reserved for senior crew members, elaborate clothing was more often donned by pirates who went ashore as a means of denoting success and wealth. The earrings and other jewelry like necklaces worn by pirate chiefs were a statement to society that hey, look how well we are doing. It is not only a myth, but it is a fact, Selinger claims. A more gentrified pirate might decorate their wig with coloured ribbons. Wearing earrings was thought to improve eyesight because the metal would reflect light and help pirates see better in the dark. Earrings were regarded as effeminate. 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. Such an exclamation was meant to convey a feeling of fear and awe, similar to, Well, blow me down!, or, May God strike me alive and well. They wore it around their necks and wrists to keep their purses safe from theft. According to the rules, earrings may not be worn while working as a government employee in civilian dress. The free-spirited pirates could not tolerate the hefty monetary fines and jail time prescribed by these skewed laws and hence wore the skull ring to intentionally poke the system in the eyes. "It's a legitimate way for the ruling class to separate themselves from the civilian population by regulating what they wear, drink and live in," Salinger said. 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. Seamen proudly sported earrings as a mark of their travels and voyages. How To Spot An Authentic Cape Cod Bracelet: A Guide For The Discerning Shopper, Authenticating Cartier Nail Bracelets: Spotting The Fakes From The Real, Tracing The History Of Bangle Bracelets: From Ancient Civilizations To Todays Fashion Trend, How To Find The Perfect Fit Bracelet For Your Loved One: Measuring Her Wrist For The Right Size, The Meaning And Symbolism Behind The Brown Beaded Bracelet, Experience Universal Studios Without Waiting In Lines: Explore Hollywood Passes And VIP Experiences, Finding The Right Fit: Understanding The Sizing Of Kendra Pinch Bracelets, How To Buff A Rolex Bracelet: A Step-By-Step Guide To Properly Care For Your Watch, Achieve Maritime-Inspired Style: How To Wear A Nautical Bracelet.