When and How to Display the U.S. Flag

Long may Old Glory wave

by David Johnson

Related Links U.S. Flag Timeline Flag Day Born on the Fourth of July Flags From Around the World

The United States Flag Code stipulates that as the symbol of a living country, the flag is considered in itself a living thing and should be properly displayed and cared for. The code outlines the proper ways to display the American flag.

• Raise the flag briskly. Lower it ceremoniously.
• Never allow the flag to touch the ground or floor.
• Do not fly the flag in bad weather, unless it is an all-weather flag.
• The flag can only be flown at night if properly illuminated. Otherwise, it should only be flown from sunrise to sunset.
• The flag should always be allowed to fall free.
• The flag should never be used to carry, store, or deliver anything.
• Never fly the flag upside down except to signal an emergency.

Ceremonial

• When hung over a sidewalk on a rope extending from a building, the stars are always away from the building.
• When the flag is hung over a street running east to west, the stars are always toward the north. When the flag is hung over a street running north to south, the stars are always toward the east.
• When a group of flags is being displayed, the U.S. flag should be at the center and at the highest point. The only exception is when the flag of another nation is being flown—national flags should be of the same size and fly at the same height.
• When covering a casket, the stars should be at the head and over the left shoulder. The flag should never touch the ground or be lowered into the grave.

Inside

• When on a speaker's podium, the flag should be either above and behind the speaker, or to the speaker's right as he faces the audience.
• When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union (blue field) should be uppermost and to the flag's right, that is, the observer's left.
• In a window, or suspended above a corridor, the flag should hang with the union on the viewer's left.

Government

• The flag should be flown daily at the main administration building of public institutions.
• Polling places should display a flag on election days.
• School buildings should display a flag when school is in session.
• Flags should fly at half-staff on the deaths of certain government officials.
• When the flag is displayed against a wall with another flag from crossed staffs, the U.S. flag should be on the right (facing the audience) and its staff should be on top of the other flag's.

Parades

• When the flag is carried in procession with other flags, it should be either on the right of the line of flags, or in front of the center of the line.
• On floats, the flag should be displayed on a staff.
• The flag should not be draped over a car, train, or boat. When displayed with a car, the flag's staff should be attached to the right fender, or the chassis.
• The flag should be held upright and should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental, state, or organizational flags may be dipped.

Decorative

• The flag should never be used as clothing, bedding, or drapery. Red, white, and blue bunting may be used as decoration instead, with the blue on top, white in the middle, and red below.
• The flag should never be part of a uniform, but a flag patch or lapel pin can be part of a police or other uniform.
• The flag should not be used to cover a statue or monument.
• The flag should not be used to cover a ceiling.
• Advertising banners should not be hung from the same staff as a flag.
• The flag should not appear on napkins, boxes, or other disposable items, nor should it be embroidered on cushions, handkerchiefs, or similar objects.

Flag Maintenance

• The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.
• Care should be taken not to let the flag get torn, dirty, or damaged.
• The flag should never have placed upon it, nor attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing.

When to Fly the Flag

The flag can be displayed on all days, but in particular it should be flown on:

*On Memorial Day, the flag should be hung at half-staff until noon, when it should be raised to the top of the staff.

Pledge of Allegiance

“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

The pledge should be said while standing at attention and facing the flag with right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag and render the military salute.

The same behavior applies during the raising or lowering of the flag, or when it passes on parade.