Guide to Flag Etiquette: How to Properly Display Any Flag?
At Interstate Rental, flags are our specialty! Whether at the finish line of a road race or on stage at a college commencement, flags add legitimacy to an event and celebrate diverse nations. Read our guide below to avoid committing a flag faux pas.
How to Display a Flag Properly
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 the flag should be displayed in the same way, with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street.
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 the flag should be displayed in the same way, with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street.
The canton of the flag (the blue field with 50 stars) should always be to the observers left except:
1) when displayed on a casket; 2) when displayed as a decal on the right side of a vehicle (bus, truck, plane, etc.); 3) when worn as a patch on the right arm (but use on the left arm is preferable).
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. The exception to this rule is that a church pennant may be flown above the flag during a church service conducted at sea by a naval chaplain for personnel of the Navy.
No person shall display the flag of the United Nations or any other national or international flag above, or in a position of superior prominence or honor to, or in place of, the flag of the United States at any place within the United States or any territory or possession thereof; provided, that nothing in this section shall make unlawful the continuance of the practice heretofore followed of displaying the flag of the United Nations in a position of superior prominence or honor, and other national flags in position of equal prominence or honor, with that of the flag of the United States at the headquarters of the United Nations.
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 United States flag's right.
When the flag of the United States of America is displayed against a wall from crossed staffs with another flag it should be on the left (the flag's own right) and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag.
The flag of the United States of should be at the center and highest point of the group when multiple flags of states or localities or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from staffs.
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.
NOTE: the U.S. Flag should always be on its own right in relation to other flags on adjacent staffs- to the left of the observer-except when displayed as in #5.
Flag Display in Churches, Temples, Theaters, Auditoriums, etc.
When used on a speaker's platform, the flag, if displayed flat, should be displayed above and behind the speaker. When displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium, the flag of the United States should hold the position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the position of honor at the clergyman 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 or the right of the audience.
Flag Display at Half-Staff
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. On Memorial Day, the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff. By order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of a State, territory or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory. In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to Presidential instructions or orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with law.
In the event of the death of a present or former official of the government of any state, territory or possession of the United States, the Governor of that State, territory or possession of the United States the Governor of the State, territory or possession may proclaim that the National flag may be flown at half-staff.
let’s talk about
Your
event
Our team is ready to discuss and collaborate with you on your event!
Let us help you make it unforgettable. Contact us today to get started. We treat every form that is filled out on our website like a phone call, expect to hear from us within one business day.
Rather send an email or call us?
info@interstaterental.com
617-522-6200
