Blackbeard received his nickname because of his long, thick dark beard. He was a giant of a man. They say that when he was preparing to attack a ship, he would have an assortment of pistols strapped to his chest - cocked and ready to fire. A broad cutlass and various daggers were at his sides. But the most frightening weapon was his appearance.
Just before boarding the vessel that he was attacking, Blackbeard would take slow burning fuse matches and, with bright red ribbon, tie them in his hair and beard. When lit, these smoking matches gave him the appearance of the Devil.