Flag Display

A flag is supposed to be a beacon of support and guidance for the people. Our U.S. Flag is considered a living symbol and must be respected at all times. The way you display your flag says a lot about you. U.S. Flag Code states specifically how you should fly your flag in all situations.

On a Wall or a Window

When a flag is placed upon a wall or window, the union (blue field) should be uppermost and to the flags own right, which is the observer’s left. If hung in a window, the flag should be displayed the same way so the union is to the left of the observer in the street.

ON SAME STAFF/POLE AS OTHER FLAGS

If you are flying more than one flag on a single pole or staff, the U.S. flag should be flown at the top, or peak of the pole and be a size larger than the flag below.

ADJACENT TO OTHER FLAGS OR IN A GROUP

If the U.S. flag is flown in a group of flags where the staff or poles are all the same height, no other flag should be placed to the right of the U.S. flag or be displayed above the U.S. flag. Similarly, if in a group , the U.S. flag should be placed higher than the other flags on display. The U.S. flag should always be hoisted first and lowered last when in a group setting.

With Crossed Staffs on a Wall

If the U.S. flag is displayed on a wall with crossed staffs, the U.S. flag’s staff should be on top/in front of the other flag and the U.S. flag should be on the right.

WITH OTHER NATIONS/WORLD FLAGS

On a Pole off a Building

When hanging a flag on a building, always use a staff and the stars should hang away from the building.

In Front of a Podium or a Church

When the U.S. flag is displayed behind a podium, it should be flat against the wall, behind and above the speaker with the blue field to the speaker’s right. When the U.S.flag is displayed in a church or school on a staff, the flag should be placed to the speaker’s right as the speaker or clergyman faces the audience.

Carrying During a Parade

The U.S. flag should always be hung from a staff if being displayed on a parade float. During a procession, the U.S. flag should be on the flag’s right or to the front and center of the flag line.

On a Car, Truck, or Motorcycle

Flag code for display of the U.S. flag on a car, truck or motorcycle states in all cases the canton (blue field) must be towards the front of the car, facing forward, the flag’s own right. The flag must never be viewed in retreat on any type of vehicle. If you use a window flag, always place it on the right side of the car, same if you use an antenna flag. Flag stickers are no different in that the flag needs to be displayed on a window so the canton is facing forward. The U.S. flag should never lie flat, or be draped over any vehicle. Being that the flag code requires illumination of the flag at night, it is also not recommended that a flag be displayed on a vehicle at night. When displaying a flag on a motorcycle, the American flag should be flown alone and placed in the center, back of the motorcycle so that the flag is ‘marching right’-which is the right side of the motorcycle when facing forward from the rider’s perspective.

On a Boat

Hoisting an American flag from a boat should be immediately recognizable because it should be placed in honor, flying farthest aft. This would not necessarily be the highest point of the vessel, depending on the type of boat. It should be the largest of the boats flags, expect in times of battle. The American flag should be flown from the boat’s stern, however on a sailboat it is permissible to fly from the leech of the aft-most sail about two-thirds of the way up; or from the peak of the gaff on a gaff-rigged vessel. Also, when a ship is not underway, the American flag should be flown from the stern staff on all vessels.

ABOVE A STREET OR BETWEEN POSTS/BUILDINGS

The U.S. flag should be secured between two posts when hung above a street so that the flag hangs vertically so that the canton faces north when above an east/west street or facing east when the street runs north/south.

In a Lobby

When hanging a flag inside a lobby of a building it should be suspended vertically so that the canton is on the left side as seen when you first walk in the entrance. If there is more than one entrance to the building, it should be hung in the center of the lobby and the canton facing north when the entrances are east/west OR facing east when the entrances are north/south. Similar to flag code when flying between street poles.

On a Casket

When paying respect by draping the U.S. flag over a casket always place the flag so the canton is at the head of the casket and over the left shoulder of the body. Never lower the flag into the grave.