# Black US flag **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 20, 2021, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-us-flag/944663 "2021-06-20T01:59:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![oldoaktree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ccd318/32.png) [@oldoaktree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oldoaktree)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2021, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-us-flag/944663/21 "2021-06-20T03:58:48Z")
I’m confused. has your OP been answered? What is this black flag you saw and what does it mean? I’ve read the thread up and down ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2021, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-us-flag/944663/22 "2021-06-20T04:00:02Z")
But, if the flag is entirely black, how can you tell it is a US flag as opposed to an anarchist flag, pirate flag, Islamic flag, or any other all-black banner? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2021, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-us-flag/944663/23 "2021-06-20T04:01:38Z")
See post #4. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2021, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-us-flag/944663/24 "2021-06-20T04:35:54Z")
Simply. It’s a Trump flag. You can get one at Walmart. [https://www.walmart.com/ip/Jetlifee-Black-Printed-American-Flag-3x5-Foot-3x5-ft-Black-US-Flag-with-Brass-Grommets-Printing-Stripes/274875383](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Jetlifee-Black-Printed-American-Flag-3x5-Foot-3x5-ft-Black-US-Flag-with-Brass-Grommets-Printing-Stripes/274875383) ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2021, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-us-flag/944663/25 "2021-06-20T07:33:56Z")
It seems to be a terrorist flag, going by the descriptions in this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2021, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-us-flag/944663/26 "2021-06-20T08:35:48Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > Simply. It’s a Trump flag. You can get one at Walmart. > [Jetlifee All Black US Flag 3x5 Ft US Black Flag Banner UV Resistance Fading & Durable Wall Flag with Brass Grommets for Dorm Room Indoor Decor,Outdoor - Walmart.com](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Jetlifee-Black-Printed-American-Flag-3x5-Foot-3x5-ft-Black-US-Flag-with-Brass-Grommets-Printing-Stripes/274875383) Technically, I’d call that a black and grey flag, but I’ll go with “black flag” for succinctness. I think the symbolism might still be in flux with this one. Context would matter in interpreting the meaning. If flown by a Trumpist, though, I’d assume it leans more towards the “opposite of surrender, no quarter given”. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2021, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-us-flag/944663/27 "2021-06-20T09:04:51Z")
Thank you vey much for this insightful link. The product description > MATERIAL - 100% 100D Polyester American Flag strengthened, easy to fly and fast dry. And Our flags are partially imported.Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. (NOT Recommended for Super Windy Outdoors) and the coments > “Love it! It looks perfect on my flag pole!”, > “Vivid colors. Nylon flag. Good quality for intended purpose of showing support for a candidate pre-election.” are intriguing. Partially imported? Vivid black colors? ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2021, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-us-flag/944663/28 "2021-06-20T11:23:05Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > (NOT Recommended for Super Windy Outdoors) What happens, the stars start flying off? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2021, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-us-flag/944663/29 "2021-06-20T11:49:29Z")
Are we sure it wasn’t this black flag? [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/wDUYCyajDcs/maxresdefault.jpg "Rise Above") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDUYCyajDcs) ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2021, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-us-flag/944663/30 "2021-06-20T11:50:07Z")
To the galaxy far far away they were partially imported from, perhaps? I don’t know, I was just quoting, and not even the weirdest stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2021, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-us-flag/944663/31 "2021-06-20T12:57:14Z")
You’re new here. The question was answered in posts 3 and 4. There was no reason to belabor the point after that. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2021, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-us-flag/944663/32 "2021-06-20T16:24:01Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > So what message does someone waving a black American flag mean to convey? I would expect it still means “no quarter, no surrender” but since it was used by the Confederacy, I would also expect it to denote support for Confederate values, a refusal to surrender their racism for a more enlightened view of humankind, and a willingness to murder people who oppose them. That would be my personal interpretation, and I fully admit it is projection on my part, since I don’t know anyone who flies one. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2021, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-us-flag/944663/33 "2021-06-20T16:32:40Z")
You can get a pretty good idea from reading the reviews. > [@](#): > > Love that it pisses my liberal neighbors off! > [@](#): > > We the people will not surrender to governmental tyranny. We will fight for our constitutional rights, protect our country and our way of life. We will not be taken prisoner by anyone. This flag has a history that seems to be repeating it self in modern times. I love this flag! > [@](#): > > Buy for respect that no quarter will be given in this country > [@](#): > > Sad I had to take down my regular flag and raise the black flag but it is what it is > [@](#): > > I recommend it to all my fellow Americans who are tired of tyrants. > [@](#): > > a great way to let everyone know that you will never give up. > [@](#): > > Good for what going on in this world now So yeah, it’s for people who don’t like their country, and want to display their disdain for it proudly. Of course, it’s made in China. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2021, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-us-flag/944663/34 "2021-06-21T16:04:58Z")
H. L. Mencken fan? “Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2021, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-us-flag/944663/35 "2021-06-21T16:16:56Z")
I always assumed that meant the skull and crossbones on a black field, i.e. the archetypal pirate flag. I have wondered if the color scheme of the Islamic State flag (a little Arabic writing – part of the Shahada? – and the “seal of Muhammad” in white on a black ground) was chosen for its sinister and aggressive tone. ---
**Author:** ![Falchion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a88e57/32.png) [@Falchion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Falchion)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2021, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-us-flag/944663/36 "2021-06-21T16:52:56Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > The black American flag first appeared during the American Civil War of 1861-1865. > > Confederate army soldiers flew the black flag to symbolize the opposite of the white flag of surrender. > > The black flag meant that the unit would not give in nor surrender and that enemy combatants would be killed. Is there a historical cite for this? I didn’t look long, but I just see it asserted on websites. It seems odd to me that they would go to the effort of making an all-black US (federal) flag. I mean, I believe that a black flag was used to indicate no quarter, but I thought it was just a black flag (like the literal opposite of the white flag of truce). (Interestingly, of course, as I understand it, the black flag in the “Jolly Roger” context usually meant that quarter would be given upon immediate surrender). ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2021, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-us-flag/944663/37 "2021-06-21T17:42:32Z")
As I understood it, the black flag meant “Surrender or else”, with the skull-and-crossbones indicating what “or else” meant. If the other side didn’t surrender, you struck the black flag and raised the red flag, which meant “no quarter, no prisoners”. At the Battle of the Alamo, Santa Ana famously flew the red flag before the start of the battle. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2021, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-us-flag/944663/38 "2021-06-21T17:44:33Z")
> [@Falchion](#): > > Is there a historical cite for this? I didn’t look long, but I just see it asserted on websites. This would make for a great Straight Dope column, wouldn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2021, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-us-flag/944663/39 "2021-06-21T17:52:44Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > This would make for a great Straight Dope column, wouldn’t it? Quick, somebody forward it to Ed Zotti! ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2021, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-us-flag/944663/40 "2021-06-28T10:16:57Z")
> [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > Quick, somebody forward it to Ed Zotti! Somebody should flag it… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-us-flag/944663.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-us-flag/944663.md?page=3)