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“Calico” John “Jack” Rackham is probably my favorite pirate, and one of those historical figure I know a lot about, from readings.

So I’ll be making a lot of speculation (none of it might be true), but I see, in Red Hair Shanks, a lot of Calico Jack.

First thing first, the Name!

The Name, and the color red.

The Nickname “Calico” comes from the pieces of clothing Jack Rackham was wearing. It was made out of roughly worked coton, called Calico Coth. However, many pirates wore these pieces of clothes, so why would this one get the nickname? Well, it was because of the colors. Jack Rackham wore colorful clothes, which marked the imagination. Many books, states he wore red calico coats and shirts. In even one the sources I found, the pirate legend saying the “capitain” wore red cloth to hide his wound to keep the men’s spirit came from him (though I doubt that). Still; Calico Jack inspired Tintin Rackham the Red, for his red clothing and his extravagant ways.

So Calico Jack, wore red, which would implement the first thought on “RED HAIR” Shanks.

The Character

Like stated above, Rackham was an Extravagant pirate, with ways different of other, and a feeling for justice. Still, like many pirates, he was greedy (which is probably what led him to his execution…). Neverthless, he was different. He was renown for his confidence, his speaking manners (which was more refined than many pirates), and his sens of justice. At first, he worked for a very famous pirate (Known has Charles Vane), which acted has a mentor. But eventually, Rackham became Capitain of his own crew. Legend says, he never killed anyone without any motives. He made duels, with capitains, and was always caring for his crew. When attacking a ship, he would ask: “You might join me if you’d like”. He would not respond to provocation, and, was a charming man. Moreover, he was not active in piracy for a long time, but he still became one of the most NOTORIOUS and famous pirate in the whole history of piracy. Back in the days, he was a very influent pirate.
Sounds a bit like Shanks to me.

The Flag

Rackham’s Flag was famous for the crossed swords under the skull, instead of the two classic crossbones (Used in many pirate movies… and many books). I won’t go back on the symbolism of the skull (See Chris Condent thread…), which meant death and fear. I will stop on the crossed swords. Two swords, crossing each other may mean 3 things. I do not know which one it is, but… here are the 2 probabilities I consider.
1. The duel of Honor. Two swords crossing each other means HONORABLE ways. Honor was often, back in Renaissance, used to deal with justice manners (and unfortunatly vengeance sometimes). Honor was also attributed to the passion of family.
2. War or immnent battle. Two swords crossing might have meant war. War to injustice? The meaning of a battle. Under the skull would fit though… Two swords crossin and point to the sky = ready to kill /fight/ battle
3. With the skull, it might mean the beheading, or the grave of a proud warrior… but this one doesn’t fit at all …

So if you look at all the flags seen so far in One Piece, none of them is seen with crossed swords, except one…

Yup… Shank’s flag…
Only flag with crossing swords.

Still, It might not be true at all, but I see Rackham in Shanks

*Theory by -H-

15.  JoJo’s Bizzare Adventure – 90 million sales

14. Hajime No Ippo – 94 million sales

13. Touch – 100 million

12. Fist of the North Star – 100 million

11. Doraemon – 100 million

10. Astro Boy – 100 million

9. Slam Dunk – 120 million

8. Oishinbo – 130 million

7. Detective Conan – 140 million

6. Kochira Katsushika-ku Kamerari Koen-mae Hashutsujo – 156.5 million

5. Black Jack – 176 million

4. Golgo 13 – 200 million

3. Naruto – 205 million

2. Dragon Ball – 230 million

1. One Piece – 320 million

 

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