Pop Quiz

What is the proper way to fold a U.S. flag?

If you said to fold it into the triangular shape shown in the background photo here, you are right. However, this is only one of an infinite number of ways to correctly fold a US flag.

The more complete answer is that there is no specification in the US Flag Code for how to fold the flag. You can fold it into a square, a triangle, and octagon, or an origami swan if you have the skill. Since the flag code doesn't say how to fold the flag, you can fold it any way you want to, including into the traditional triangle with the blue field of stars (called the union) on the outside as pictured here.

The thing to remember is that anything not actually spelled out in the US Flag Code itself (the law that defines flag etiquette; see the link below) is just someone's opinion. It might be a strongly held tradition, such as folding the flag into a triangle, but that doesn't make it the law. Only the things specifically outlined in the flag code are the "rules." Everything else is just a guideline, opinion, or tradition.

Remember these three words

If you remember these three simple words you can correctly answer almost every flag etiquette question.

RIGHT

The flag always goes on "the flag's own right." That means the marching right when the flag is moving, the stage right when presented in the front of the room, etc. When displaying the flag horizontally or vertically the union (the blue field of stars; the honorific part of the flag) goes on the flag's own right (left as viewed by the observer). In general, assume you are the flag, facing the audience, and your right would be the flag's own right.

UP

The flag should always be the same height or higher than any other flag. That means that you post the US flag LAST (so it remains higher) and you retrieve it FIRST (so it is above the other flags). When hoisted on a pole, the US Flag goes up first (and fast) and comes down last (and slowly).

FRONT

The flag should be displayed on the stage at the front of the room (to the RIGHT of the speaker or presenter); in front of a line of flags; and on the front of a car, plane, float, or other vehicle.

Other Sources of Flag Etiquette Information

The American Legion [ www.legion.org/flag ]: Has a great deal of flag related information including the full text of the United States Flag Code [http://www.legion.org/documents/pdf/flagcode.pdf], frequently asked questions, etc. They have a great booklet that explains the flag code in detail, Let's Be Right on Flag Etiquette which is available from their products page [http://emblem.legion.org/Lets-Be-Right-on-Flag-Etiquette/productinfo/755.200/].

The Flag of the United States [ www.usflag.org ]: Includes information on flag etiquette, history of the flag, pictures of historical flags, a copy of the military 13-fold flag ceremony, etc.

Flag Rules and Regulations [ www.ushistory.org/flag ]: Includes small graphics demonstrating various ways of displaying the flag. This site also has a frequently asked questions section on flag etiquette.

The Connecticut Society of the Sons of the American Revolution [ www.connecticutsar.org/education/flag-etiquette/ ]: This site includes some information on flag etiquette with graphics depicting several flag etiquette situations. They also have a good deal of history, ceremonies, etc. available.

Flag etiquette on google [ www.google.com ]: A search for flag etiquette on google returned over 100,000 results. However, please be careful about whom you believe about flag information. There is a lot of incorrect information out there about flag etiquette.

Frequently Asked Questions

One word of caution: Anything that is not specifically mentioned in the actual US Flag code (4 U.S.C. § 1 et seq) is simply someone's opinion, custom or tradition. Where possible, I've tried to give a specific reference to a section of the flag code in each of the answers below.

Q: When two (or more) flags are being carried and they have to cross in the front of the room, which flag should go in front?

The US Flag should be "in front" of the other flag(s). In this case "in front" means closer to the audience. In other words, the audience should see the US flag, not have it occluded by the passing of the other flag(s). While the flag code does not specifically address this issue, paragraph 7(d) says: "The flag of the United States of America, when it is displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, should be on the right, the flag's own right, and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag." It is logical to assume from this section and other flag code sections which clearly indicate that the flag should hold the position of prominence, that the same would apply to flags in motion. This is also consistent with information from various military drill and ceremony manuals.

Q: Which comes first, the flag ceremony or the prayer?

The proper sequence (in my opinion) is:

• Presentation of the colors
• Invocation
• Meeting or other activity
• Benediction
• Retiring of the colors

The flag code does not directly address this issue other than to say that "the flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing" (flag code paragraph 8[j] ). Therefore it should, in my opinion, be treated the same as a person; invite the flag in before the invocation and have the benediction before excusing the flag. However, you will see many groups, especially government entities (congress, state and municipal bodies, etc.) do this in the other order (prayer, then flag).

Q: Can you wash a soiled US flag?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to wash a soiled flag. Nothing in the flag code precludes this.

Q: Is it acceptable to repair tears and seams in a US flag?

Yes, you can sew or otherwise repair a US flag. Nothing in the flag code precludes this.

Q: What do I do with a US flag that is too faded, damaged or dirty to display?

The flag code says, in paragraph 8(k), "The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning." As noted above, nothing in the flag code precludes washing or cleaning a soiled flag or repairing rips and tears in the flag.

Q: Is it legal to display the US flag at night?

Yes and no. It is universal custom to display the flag from sunrise to sunset. However, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated at night. Properly illuminated means a light dedicated to shining on the flag, not just ambient light from a porch or street light. See flag code paragraph 6(a).

Q: Do I have to dispose of a US flag that touches the ground?

No, it is not necessary to dispose of a flag that touches the ground. There is no provision in the flag code that requires disposing of a flag that touches the ground. However, "the flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water or merchandise; it should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free." See flag code paragraphs 8(b) & 8(d)

Q: How should we carry the US flag in a parade or other procession?

Paragraph 7 of the flag code says, "The flag, when carried in a procession with another flag or flags, should be either on the marching right; that is, the flag's own right, or, if there is a line of other flags, in front of the center of that line."

Q: Is it okay to carry a large flag flat in a parade or at a sporting event?

No! Despite the fact that you have seen numerous groups do this, the answer clearly is 'NO!' The flag code specifically addresses this by saying, in paragraph 8(c), "The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free."

Q: Is it acceptable to hang the US flag flat against the wall?

Yes. Whether you display the flag vertically or horizontally, the union should be uppermost and to the flag's own right, that is, to the observer's left. See paragraph 7(i) of the flag code

Q: What does "the flag's own right" mean?

Put yourself in the same position as the flag, facing the audience, road, doorway, office, etc. Your right side, when standing in the same position as the flag, is the flag's own right. Remember that the flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. See flag code paragraph 7(i).

Q: How do I properly display the US flag at half-staff?

The flag should be hoisted to the top of the pole for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position (half way between the top and bottom of the staff). The flag should be raised to the top of the pole again before being lowered for the day. On Memorial Day the flag should be flown at half-staff until noon, then raised to the top of the pole for the remainder of the day. See flag code paragraph 7(m). Recall that the flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered slowly (flag code paragraph 6[b]) and this still applies when hoisting and lowering the flag to and from the half-staff position.

Q: Are there any inappropriate ways to display the flag?

Yes. See flag code paragraph 8

• No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing.
• The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
• The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.
• The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.
• The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery.
• The flag should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free.
• Bunting of blue, white, and red, always arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle, and the red below, should be used for covering a speaker's desk, draping the front of the platform, and for decoration in general.
• The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.
• The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.
• The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.
• The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
• The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever.
• The flag should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard.
• Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.
• No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform (someone please share this with the US Olympic Committee!). However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations.

Q: What are the legal punishments for violating the flag code?

Because of actions by the US Supreme Court regarding freedom of speech (see United States v. Eichman), there are NO provisions in US law for punishing those who violate the flag code.

Q: What do the colors of the Flag mean?

Sentimental writers and orators sometimes ascribe meanings to the colors in the flag. The practice is erroneous, as are statements on this subject attributed to George Washington and other founders of the country.

From the book "Our Flag" published in 1989 by the House of Representatives...

"On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress passed a resolution authorizing a committee to devise a seal for the United States of America. This mission, designed to reflect the Founding Fathers' beliefs, values, and sovereignty of the new Nation, did not become a reality until June 20, 1782. In heraldic devices, such as seals, each element has a specific meaning. Even colors have specific meanings. The colors red, white, and blue did not have meanings for The Stars and Stripes when it was adopted in 1777. However, the colors in the Great Seal did have specific meanings. Charles Thompson, Secretary of the Continental Congress, reporting to Congress on the Seal, stated:

"The colors of the pales (the vertical stripes) are those used in the flag of the United States of America; White signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness & valour, and Blue, the color of the Chief (the broad band above the stripes) signifies vigilance, perseverance & justice."

The foregoing answer was lifted directly from the US Flag website [www.usflag.org].

Q: What do the folds in the flag mean?

There is no specific meaning assigned to the folds of the flag in the flag code. In fact, there is no provision in the flag code that requires folding the flag in any particular way. However, it is customary to fold the flag into a triangle with only the union showing. There is a very nice flag folding ceremony, sometimes used by the military, that assigns meanings to each fold (see www.usflag.org/foldflag.html#FFC).

Q: In what order do I post (and retrieve) the US flag when it is posted with other flags?

This is not specifically addressed in the flag code. Common sense reading of the code suggests that the US flag should be posted last and retrieved first (so that it is kept higher or the same height as the other flags at all times). In paragraph 7 it clearly states that "no other flag or pennant should be placed above or, if on the same level, to the right of the flag of the United States of America." It goes on to say "When the flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the flag of the United States should be hoisted first and lowered last." Along with other comments in this section, it is clear the the US flag should be kept higher or the same height as other flags at all times. This is also consistent with military drill and ceremonies manuals.