Rules for displaying and disposing of the American flag, known as flag protocol, aim to encourage respectful treatment of the national symbol. The rules include not allowing the flag to touch the ground, displaying it at the highest position when with other flags, and properly disposing of damaged flags through environmentally friendly burning. Violations are unlikely to cause outrage, but the flag represents national identity and should be treated with respect. Other nations have their own protocols for displaying their national flags.
In the United States, as in many other nations, there are a number of rules governing the display and disposal of the national flag. These rules are called protocol flags. While breaking these rules has no legal repercussions, it is hoped that they will encourage respectful treatment of the flag. More than just a piece of fabric, a national flag represents the nation as a whole and is an important symbol of national identity. The following flag protocol applies to displaying the American flag in the United States. Other nations have their own protocols involving the display of their national flag, along with the flags of other nations.
In general, the flag protocol rules are very simple and easy to follow. In most cases, respectful handling of the flag includes common sense measures such as not allowing it to touch the ground. Unless a flag is raised in the vicinity of militant neighbors, minor violations are unlikely to cause outrage, especially since the flag is often flown with noble intent.
According to American flag protocol, an American flag must never touch the ground. If the flag inadvertently touches the ground, it should be washed gently with soap and water. When displayed outdoors, if the flag is in the center of a road, it should be suspended with the union, or field of stars, facing either north or east, depending on the alignment of the road. When displayed from a building, the flag should be displayed at the union first.
The American flag should never be inferior to another nation’s flag. If the American flag is flown with other national flags, the flags should be flown at the same height and should be of the same size. If the American flag is displayed with state or other flags, it should be raised high and should be raised first and lowered last. When displayed crossing staves with another flag, the staff from which the American flag is hanging must be placed above the other stave, and the American flag must be to the viewer’s left.
Flag protocol also dictates that flags should not be hoisted at night unless properly lit, and that when the flag is hoisted at half staff it should first be fully raised and then lowered to half staff. When flown upside down, the flag is a symbol of distress. When displayed above a coffin, the flag should be draped so that the union is in the upper left corner and should not be allowed to touch the ground or lowered into the grave.
The American flag should not be written on or otherwise defaced, and it should not be left tattered or soiled. For this reason, many companies make all-weather flags that are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions. If a flag will be flown outdoors and exposed to sunlight and rain, an all-weather flag should be purchased. If a flag is damaged, it should be disposed of properly. The correct method of disposal for an American flag is environmentally friendly burning. A number of public service organizations such as the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Elks and Boy Scouts are happy to help with proper flag disposal.
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