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How to Display the Flag

	1. When the flag is displayed over the middle of the street, it should be suspended vertically with the union to the north in an east and west street or to the east in a north and south street.
	2. 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 [that means the viewer's left --Webmaster], and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag.
	3. The flag, when flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day. By "half-staff" is meant lowering the flag to one-half the distance between the top and bottom of the staff. Crepe streamers may be affixed to spear heads or flagstaffs in a parade only by order of the President of the United States.
	4. When flags of States, cities, or localities, or pennants of societies are flown on the same halyard with the flag of the United States, the latter should always be at the peak. When the flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the flag of the United States should be hoisted first and lowered last. No such flag or pennant may be placed above the flag of the United States or to the right of the flag of the United States (the viewer's left). When the flag is half-masted, both flags are half-masted, with the US flag at the mid-point and the other flag below.
	5. When the flag is suspended over a sidewalk from a rope extending from a house to a pole at the edge of the sidewalk, the flag should be hoisted out, union first, from the building.
	6. When the flag of the United States is displayed from a staff projecting horizontally or at an angle from the window sill, balcony, or front of a building, the union of the flag should be placed at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half-staff.
	7. When the flag is used to cover a casket, it should be so placed that the union is at the head and over the left shoulder. The flag should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground.
	8. When the flag is displayed in a manner other than by being flown from a staff, it should be displayed flat, whether indoors or out. When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag's own right, that is, to the observer's left. When displayed in a window it should be displayed in the same way, that is with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street. When festoons, rosettes or drapings are desired, bunting of blue, white and red should be used, but never the flag.
	9. That 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.
	10. The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of States or localities or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from staffs.
	11. When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be of approximately equal size. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace. The order of precedence for flags generally is National flags (US first, then others in alphabetical order in English), State (host state first, then others in the order of admission) and territories (Washington DC, Puerto Rico, etc.), Military (in order of establishment: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard), then other.
	12. When displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium on or off a podium, the flag of the United States of America should hold the position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the position of honor at the clergyman's or speaker's right as he faces the audience. Any other flag so displayed should be placed on the left of the clergyman or speaker (to the right of the audience).
	13. When the flag is displayed on a car, the staff shall be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right fender.
	14. When hung in a window, place the blue union in the upper left, as viewed from the street.

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Flag Question & Answer

• My flag touched the ground. Do I need to destroy it?
  No. You should, of course, try to avoid having the flag touch the ground. But if it does, you should correct the situation immediately. If the flag has been dirtied, you should clean it by hand with a mild soap solution and dry it well before returning it to use.
• My flag is old and ready to be retired. What should I do?
  Section 8k of the Flag Code (see below) states, "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." We recommend that you contact your local VFW Chapter and ask them for help properly disposing of your flag. And be sure to consider providing a small donation to them for their assistance. Or you can contact your local Elks Lodge (who created the idea of Flag Day, established officially by President Truman, himself a member of the Elks), the American Legion, or the Knights of Columbus. Some Boy Scout and Girl Scout troups also can provide this service.
• Are there penalties for violating the Flag Code?
  No. The Flag Code is intended as a guide to be followed on a purely voluntary basis to insure proper respect for the flag.
• Should the American flag be taken down during a rain storm?
  Most flags sold nowadays are all-weather flags (refer to the packaging). These are permitted to fly during inclement weather, according to the Flag Code.
• Is it proper to wash a soiled flag? May I mend a torn flag?
  If a flag is torn, it can be repaired, preferably by a professional or someone skilled in mending. If it is dirty, it can be washed, preferably by hand with a mild soap. If it is faded or tattered beyond repair, or dirty beyond cleaning, then it is time to replace the flag.
• Is it appropriate to fly a flag that has fewer than 50 stars?
  Yes. Historic American flags are still considered living, active flags.
• What does the Flag Code say about displaying the flag horizontally, as before a football game?
  Section 8c. reads, "The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free."
  
  
• We recently recieved a notice from our home owners association that no flags — including the American flag — may be flown in any way from our homes.
  This had been a frequent problem. On July 24, 2006, Public Law No: 109-243 was signed by the President of the United States, "to ensure that the right of an individual to display the flag of the United States on residential property not be abridged".
• Should I fly my flag at half-mast today? The flag may be flown at half-staff by Presidential proclamation or by your state governor. Your flag can be flown at half-mast upon reliable information that a past or present President or Vice-President has died. On Memorial Day the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon. See Section 7m below for more information.
• Can my company decide to fly our flag at half-mast for a former employee? No. Only the president of the US or your state governor can order the flag lowered to half-staff. We recommend that you display black crepe near the entrance to your building, perhaps with a photograph of the former employee.
• Is it okay to have a flag t-shirt with words written on it? No, the flag should never be worn and no, the flag should never have marks or words written upon it. Section 8d (see below): "The flag should never be used as wearing apparel." Section 8g: "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."
• Is it okay to use flag napkins or flag paper plates? No. Section 8i (see below) reads: "It should not be ... printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard."
• 
  W.B. Mason logoIs it okay for an advertisement to use the flag? No. Section 8i (see below) reads, "The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever."
• Upon the death of a sitting or former President how long does the flag fly at half-mast? For a Vice-President? 30 days for the death of a sitting or former President. 10 days for the death of a Vice President. See section 7-m below for more information.
• How can I show mourning if my flag is on a fixed pole or staff and can't be half-masted? The flag rules make no provisions for this. However, army regulations state, "A streamer of black crepe 7 feet long and 1 foot wide will be attached to the staff immediately below the spearhead of the U.S. flag."
• Is it okay to fly a flag that was used to drape a coffin? The Flag Code makes no reference to this use, but consensus among experts is that yes, it would be an honor to display the flag to show patriotism.
• What does the fringe on the flag represent? The gold trim is found on ceremonial flags, to be used indoors and for ceremonies only. They originally were used on military flags. The fringe has no specific significance, but is considered completely within the guidelines of proper flag etiquette. There is nothing in the flag code indicating that the fringe is for federal government flags only. The Internet contains many sites that claim that the fringe indicates martial law or that the Constitution does not apply in that area. These are entirely unfounded (usually citing Executive Order 10834 and inventing text that is not part of the order) and should be dismissed as urban legends.
• We are flying the US flag, our state flag, and our company flag on side-to-side poles. What order should they be in? Facing the display, from left to right: US flag, state flag, company flag. If you are flying them on two poles, place the US flag over the state flag on the leftmost pole, and the company flag on the right pole. You may not fly a company flag on the same pole as the US flag. The order of precedence for flags generally is National flags (US first, then others in alphabetical order in English), State (host state first, then others in the order of admission) and territories (Washington DC, Puerto Rico, etc.), Military (in order of establishment: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard), then other.
• We are flying the US flag, our state flag, and the POW/MIA flag on side-to-side poles. What order should they be in? Facing the display, from left to right: US flag, POW/MIA, state flag. If you are flying them on two poles, place the US flag over the POW/MIA flag on the leftmost pole, and the state flag on the right pole.
• How can I get a flag that has flown over the Capitol? Constituents may arrange to purchase flags that have been flown over the Capitol by getting in touch with their Senators or Representative. A certificate signed by the Architect of the Capitol accompanies each flag. Flags are available for purchase in sizes of 3'x5' or 5'x8' in fabrics of cotton and nylon.
• Can I have people sign my flag? No, you should never sign the flag directly on it. If your flag has a canvas strip that holds the grommets, it is acceptable to have everyone sign along that canvas strip. Or, you can have everyone sign a separate document that can then be framed and displayed with the flag.
• I am thinking of getting a flag tattoo. Is it okay? There is nothing in the Flag Code about tattoos. The question is one of respect for the flag. In this case one person's respect is another's disrespect, and we advise against a flag tattoo. Perhaps an American eagle would look good?
• What is the meaning of the folds in a flag-folding ceremony? There is no reference to meaning of the folds in the Flag Code. Read the new Air Force Folding Ceremony. There is also a popular but unauthorized flag-folding ceremony.
• Is Texas's the only state flag allowed to fly at the same height as the US flag? No, this is an urban legend. All state flags may fly at the same height as the U.S. flag. The U.S. flag must be on its right (the viewer's left), however. Texas's laws are consistent with those of the other states.
• On my motorcycle, I have two flags, the US flag and a POW/MIA flag. How should they be positioned? The US flag should always be on its right, as shown in this picture. The POW/MIA or other flag flies on its left, which is the viewer's right, facing the motorcycle.
• Does the ball ornament atop a flagpole contain a razor, lighter, and flare? No. This is just an urban legend. One explanation is that the myth started during the Cold War and that the objects were to be used to destroy the flag in the event of a Soviet invasion. Of course, the ball ornament predates the Cold War by many years.
• Where does the flag fly 24 hours a day? Untold thousands of places. Section 6a: "when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness." Of course it flies 24 hours a day on the Moon. There is an elite group where, by executive order, it is to fly 24 hours a day, shown here:
  • Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Baltimore, Maryland (Presidential Proclamation No. 2795, July 2, 1948).
  • Flag House Square, Albemarle and Pratt Streets, Baltimore Maryland (Public Law 83-319, approved March 26, 1954).
  • United States Marine Corps Memorial (Iwo Jima), Arlington, Virginia (Presidential Proclamation No. 3418, June 12, 1961).
  • On the Green of the Town of Lexington, Massachusetts (Public Law 89-335, approved November 8, 1965).
  • The White House, Washington, DC. (Presidential Proclamation No. 4000, September 4, 1970).
  • Washington Monument, Washington, DC. (Presidential Proclamation No. 4064, July 6, 1971, effective July 4, 1971).
  • Fifty flags of the United States are displayed at the Washington Monument continuously. United States Customs Ports of Entry which are continually open (Presidential Proclamation No. 413 1, May 5, 1972).
  • Grounds of the National Memorial Arch in Valley Forge State Park, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania (Public Law 94-53, approved July 4,1975).
  • On a neighbor's house, the flag of a foreign country hangs prominently displayed. Their home doesn't display the flag of the United States of America. The US flag code does not require a private citizen to fly the US flag. You can politely suggest that your neighbor consider flying the US flag and explain your feelings, but your neighbor is a free citizen and the choice of displaying the flag is his and should be respected as a good neighbor.
  • I fly my flag at home 24 hours a day. What does "properly illuminated" mean? Section 6a: "when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness." The Flag Rules offer no additional guidance on this question. We interpret this to mean that there is either a light directly upon the flag or that there is sufficient local lighting to make the flag easily visible at night.
  • When children paint the American flag, is that against the Flag rules and regulations? Respectfully featuring the American flag in artwork is a wonderful thing and should be encouraged. We would hope that the artwork is preserved and displayed proudly by the young artists and their families.
  • Why is the flag sometimes backwards on the side of airplanes, buses, and other vehicles? The flag decals have the union (the blue area with the stars) on the side closer to the front of the plane. On the plane's left, the decal shows the flag with the union at the left, as usual. On the plane's right side, the union is on the right. This is done so that the flag looks as if it is blowing in the wind created by the forward movement. You can see this on cars and trucks as well.
  • Isn't the American flag stamp in violation of the flag rules?

    37¢ stamp

    This question has been asked by dozens of visitors to this page. The answer appears to be yes. Section 8e. (see below) reads, "The flag should never be ... used ... in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way." Section 8g. reads, "The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark ... of any nature." 8i. reads, "[The flag] should not be printed or otherwise impressed on ... anything that is designed for temporary use and discard."
  • What is a flag? Section 8-i reads, "It should not be embroidered on ... printed or otherwise impressed on ...." Section 8-j reads, "No part of the flag should ever be ...." It's clear from this language the intent of the Flag Code; the flag is both that which is made to be a flag as well as that which is recognized as a flag, in full or in part. So, our conclusion is this: "The flag of the United States is any flag of the United States, or any part thereof, made of any substance, of any size, that is recognized as a flag by the reasonable observer."