American Flag Etiquette and Display Guide: Respecting the Stars & Stripes
This guide details the proper way to display the American flag in various settings, ensuring you show proper respect for this national symbol.
Key Points for Everyday Display
- Sunrise to Sunset: Traditionally, the flag is flown from sunrise to sunset on buildings and stationary flagpoles.
- 24/7 Display (with Illumination): Nighttime display is acceptable if the flag is properly illuminated throughout the darkness.
- Respectful Placement: When displayed flat or vertically against a wall, the blue field with stars (union) should be on top and to the observer’s left. This applies to window displays as well.
- American Flag Takes Priority: No other flag should be flown above or to the right of the American flag (from the perspective looking out from the flag), except for specific exceptions during religious ceremonies at sea.
Proper Display with Other Flags
- Shared Halyard: When the American flag is flown with state, city, or local flags on the same rope (halyard), it should always be positioned at the peak (highest point).
- Separate Staffs: If flags are displayed on separate poles, raise the American flag first and lower it last.
- Side-by-Side Display: When displaying the American flag with another flag on crossed staffs mounted on a wall, the American flag goes on the right with its staff in front.
- Group Flag Displays: In a collection of flags displayed on staffs, the American flag should be positioned in the center and at the highest point.
International Flag Etiquette
- Separate Staffs, Equal Height: Flags representing different countries should be flown on separate staffs of the same height.
- Flags of Similar Size: Maintain a similar size for all the flags displayed together.
- International Custom: During peacetime, avoid displaying one nation’s flag above another.
Displaying the Flag in Churches and Auditoriums:
- Speaker’s Platform: Laying the flag flat is acceptable on a speaker’s platform, but should remain positioned above and behind the speaker.
- Flag on Staff: If displayed on a staff inside a church or auditorium, the American flag should hold the most prominent position, positioned to the right of the speaker as they face the audience.
Flying the Flag at Half-Staff
- Raising and Lowering Sequence: When lowering the flag to half-staff, first raise it to the peak for a moment, then lower it to the halfway point. Before lowering it for the day, raise it back to the peak again.
- Memorial Day Display: On Memorial Day, the flag is displayed at half-staff until noon and then raised to the top of the staff.
- Half-Staff by Order: The President or Governor may order the flag to be flown at half-staff to honor specific deaths or events.