Used as a Protest Symbol in Indonesia, This is the Meaning Behind the Jolly Roger One Piece Pirate Flag

Muhe - Wednesday, 06 August 2025 | 11:55 AM (WIB)

Used as a Protest Symbol in Indonesia, This is the Meaning Behind the Jolly Roger One Piece Pirate Flag

NEWZ TUBE, Indonesia - August is an important month for Indonesians. August 17th marks the country's Independence Day. Typically, in the lead-up to August 17th, people display Indonesian flags on the streets or in front of their homes. Other decorations are also displayed to add to the celebration.
However, things are different in the lead-up to Indonesia's Independence Day in 2025. Indonesians are flocking to fly flags featuring the Jolly Roger pirate symbol from the anime One Piece. On social media, many Indonesians have expressed their disappointment with the current Indonesian government. As a form of protest, many are choosing to fly the Jolly Roger flag instead of the Indonesian flag.
Amidst the public outcry, the Indonesian government has responded, urging the public to continue flying the Indonesian flag instead of the Jolly Roger. So, what exactly is the meaning of the Jolly Roger in the One Piece world? It turns out that the Jolly Roger holds a strong philosophy. The pirate flag is considered more than just a symbol of identity, but a reflection of the spirit and dreams of the pirate crews.
Among the many iconic pirate symbols, the Jolly Roger stands out because of its straw hat. This straw hat symbol is interpreted as representing their journey and the values they hold dear.

Skull and Straw Hat Symbolism

One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda added a unique and personal touch to the Jolly Roger straw hat. Here are the meanings of the Jolly Roger pirate symbol in the One Piece anime.
Skull: Symbolizes death, courage, and the pirates' determination to face danger. It is a reminder that life on the sea is full of risks, and they are not afraid to die for their dreams.
Crossbones: Traditionally, this symbolizes power. However, in the context of the Straw Hats, these bones can be interpreted as the inseparable bond between each crew member, who always support each other in every fight.
Straw Hat: This is the most important element that distinguishes the Straw Hats' Jolly Roger from the others. The straw hat is a symbol of their captain, Monkey D. Luffy, given to them by Akagami no Shanks. This hat is not only his trademark, but also a symbol of Luffy's promise and dream of becoming the Pirate King. The presence of the straw hat on the flag signifies that the entire crew is part of Luffy's dream.