Black flag emoji 🏴
The black flag emoji 🏴 is a plain black flag used for mourning, protest, or as a placeholder for flags without an emoji. Learn its meaning, how to copy it, and how it compares with other flag emoji.
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What is the black flag emoji?
The black flag emoji 🏴 shows a simple black flag on a pole. Its Unicode name is “black flag”, and it belongs to the Flags group alongside the chequered flag, white flag and pirate flag. It appears as a rectangular black flag on most platforms. It has no pattern or emblem. Unlike the pirate flag emoji, it has no skull and crossbones, and unlike the white flag, it does not signal surrender.
How the black flag emoji is used
The black flag emoji 🏴 carries several meanings depending on context. In messages it commonly represents mourning, protest, anarchy or a dark colour theme. It is also a common placeholder when a specific flag does not have an emoji, such as the Basque flag or US state flags like Maine.
- Mourning or remembrance, similar to flying a flag at half-mast
- Support for protest movements that use a black flag
- A symbol for the colour black in colour-themed posts
- A stand-in for unofficial flags that lack a dedicated emoji
The plain design works well with other emoji, such as a black heart, to emphasise grief or a dark mood. On social media, it is often used in posts about loss or defiance, as in “Rest in peace 🏴” or “We will not back down 🏴”.
Compare black flag with similar emoji
| Emoji | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| black flagU+1F3F4 | A plain black flag, sometimes a placeholder for unknown flags | |
| chequered flagU+1F3C1 | Used in racing to signal the end of a race | |
| triangular flagU+1F6A9 | Often used as a red flag for warnings or alerts | |
| white flagU+1F3F3 U+FE0F | Symbol of surrender or truce | |
| pirate flagU+1F3F4 U+200D U+2620 U+FE0F | The black flag with skull and crossbones |
The Basque flag emoji
There is no official Basque flag emoji. The Ikurriña, the red, green and white flag of the Basque Country, is not included in the Unicode emoji set. Some people use the black flag emoji 🏴 as a temporary stand-in, though it does not resemble the actual flag. US state flags like Maine’s also lack emoji, so a black flag may appear as a generic placeholder. For an accurate display of a specific flag, the best option is to use an image or a sequence of coloured hearts. Unicode has not approved state flag emoji. For the full list of official flag emoji, see the flag emoji collection.
Typing and copying the black flag emoji
To copy the black flag emoji, select it here: 🏴. On Windows, press Win + . and type “black flag”. On Mac, press Control + Command + Space and search the same phrase. You can also find it in the flags category of your device’s emoji picker. If you cannot find it, copy it from a website or message.
Questions people ask
What does 🏴 mean?
The black flag emoji generally represents a black flag, which can symbolise mourning, anarchy, protest, or simply the colour black. It’s also used as a placeholder when no specific flag emoji exists.
Is there a Basque flag emoji?
No, there is no official Basque flag emoji. The black flag emoji 🏴 is sometimes used as a substitute, but it is not an accurate representation of the Ikurriña.
Is there a Maine flag emoji?
No, US state flags do not have their own emoji. The black flag is sometimes used as a generic placeholder, but it doesn’t represent Maine specifically.
How do I type the black flag emoji?
On most devices, you can find it in the emoji keyboard under flags, or copy it from this page. On Windows, press Win + . and search “black flag”. On Mac, press Control + Command + Space and search the same phrase.
What’s the difference between 🏴 and 🏴☠️?
🏴 is a plain black flag, while 🏴☠️ is the pirate flag with a skull and crossbones, often used for piracy or a rebellious tone.
About this guide
Written and maintained by the Emoji Directory editorial team, without ads or sponsorship. Meanings describe how the emoji is commonly used in public posts and messages, not an official definition. Names, code points, versions, keywords and translations come from the Unicode Emoji 18.0 and CLDR data; shortcodes from the gemoji project. Last reviewed . Spotted a mistake or a new usage? Tell us, or read how the directory is made.
