Flag is a piece of cloth, usually with a picture or design on it, that stands for something. A flag may represent a nation, person, or organization. A flag may symbolize a belief or idea. Some flags transmit information. The most important group of flags are probably national flags. A nation’s flag is a stirring sight as it flies in the wind. Its bright colors and striking design represent the country’s land, people, government, and ideals. A country’s flag can stir people to joy, to courage, and to sacrifice. Special rules for display and care have grown up around people’s wish to honor their nation’s flag. 
Nations use many kinds of flags besides national flags. Some countries fly a special state flag over embassies and other government buildings at home and abroad. Presidents, kings, queens, and other government leaders may have their own flags. States, provinces, and cities are represented by flags. Some flags stand for international organizations, such as the United Nations (UN) and the Red Cross. Such regional groups as the Organization of American States and the European Union have flags. Other organizational flags include those of youth groups, like the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts. Many religions and churches have their own flags. Flags also may be used to send messages.
The ancient Egyptians and the Persians carried flaglike objects thousands of years ago. So did the ancient Greeks and Romans. These “flags,” called standards, were symbols attached to the tops of poles. The symbols might be made of cloth, wood, metal, or other materials. These symbols usually represented the people’s gods or rulers. Soldiers carried the symbols into battle, hoping that their gods would help them win. 
Flags became important during battles for a variety of reasons. Egyptian soldiers and soldiers of other ancient peoples sometimes tied streamers to the poles they carried. The streamers—like later cloth flags—showed which way the wind blew. This helped soldiers to see the direction to aim their arrows. Flags stood for each side in a battle. For this reason, generals watched them to see where their soldiers were. Fighting often centered around the flag. Defending the flag was regarded as the chief duty of a soldier. If the soldier carrying the flag was killed or wounded, others would “rally round the flag” to prevent the enemy from capturing it. If the flag was captured, many soldiers would give up the fight. 
The symbols used on flags may go back thousands of years. The Shield of David appears on the flag of Israel. The shield is a traditional symbol of the Jews popularly known as the “Star of David.” The cross, a symbol of Christianity, is displayed on the flags of many Christian nations. The crescent and star in the flags of many Muslim countries are symbols of peace and life. Stars on flags often stand for unity. The number of stars on a nation’s flag may show how many states are united in the country. 
Most national flags use one or more of only seven basic colors. These colors are red, white, blue, green, yellow, black, and orange. The colors were all used in heraldry. Heraldry was a system of designs that grew up beginning in the 1100’s (see Heraldry ). Designs on many flags follow rules of heraldry. Such designs include, for example, a strip of white or yellow separating two colors. The Mexican flag, with white between red and green bands, follows this rule.
Popular stories often explain why flags have certain colors and designs. For example, the Austrian flag is said to date from an event in 1191. This was the time of the Third Crusade, a Christian military expedition attempting to regain the Holy Land from the Muslims. After a battle, the Austrian duke Leopold V removed his blood-stained cloak. He found that his belt had kept a band of the cloth white. From then on, he used a red flag with a white stripe across it. Austria adopted this design in 1919. Denmark’s national flag—a white cross on red—is said to have come about more than 750 years ago. During a great battle in 1219, according to tradition, a red flag bearing a white cross fell from heaven. This flag inspired the Danes to victory.
Nations that have a common history or culture may use the same colors in their flags. Blue and white appear in the flags of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. These nations were once joined together in the United Provinces of Central America. The United Provinces had a blue-and-white flag. Four colors—black, green, red, and white—stand for Arab unity. Some or all of these colors appear in the flags of several Arab countries. These countries are Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Sudan, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
The study of the history and symbolism of flags is called vexillology. The name comes from the Latin word vexillum, meaning a square flag or banner. Roman cavalry units carried the vexillum. It hung from a crossbar fastened to a staff (pole).
Kinds of flags
National flags are in many ways the most important flags in the world. They stand for all the people in a country. State and city flags stand for the people in smaller areas. There are many other kinds of flags as well. Some flags stand for only one person. Others represent one part of the government. Some flags are used only by the armed forces. Other flag are flown only at sea. Some flags are used only to send messages.
Many government agencies have their own flags. Such United States units as the Foreign Service have special flags. Many British agencies fly the Blue Ensign. The flag usually has a badge in the fly (the end of the flag farthest from the staff).
Civil and state flags.
Some countries have a special state flag that only the government uses. It flies on public buildings within that country. Usually, a state flag is a national flag with a coat of arms added. When a country has a state flag, the national flag flown by individuals is known as a civil flag. Each country decides whether its civil or state flag will be flown at United Nations (UN) Headquarters. Generally, the flag that flies at the UN is the one used abroad for other purposes. The country flags that appear in this article are the ones that fly at the UN.
Flags of individuals.
Many rulers and important government leaders have personal flags. For example, the president and vice president of the United States have special flags. Members of the U.S. Cabinet also have flags. The British monarch and members of the royal family have flags. The monarch’s flag, called the Royal Standard, is raised over a building as the monarch enters it. The flag is lowered when the monarch leaves. The monarch also has a personal standard for use in the countries of the Commonwealth that have become republics. The Commonwealth is an organization of former British colonies. In Canada and some other Commonwealth countries, the monarch uses a special personal standard designed for each particular country.
Flags such as the Royal Standard, the president’s flag, or the governor general’s flag are personal flags. But these flags stand for the authority of the office—for example, of the presidency or monarchy—and not of the officeholder. For this reason, these flags usually do not change when the individual is replaced. A British monarch’s personal standard, in contrast, stands for that king or queen alone. It may never be used by anyone else.
Many personal flags are older than national ones. They developed during the Middle Ages, from about the A.D. 400’s through the 1400’s. Personal flags became especially important in battle. Members of the nobility flew banners of various sizes, depending on their rank. With the development of national unity in Europe, flags symbolizing the personal authority of a ruler became less important. National flags representing all the people developed.
Military flags.
Flags have always been important in the armed forces. Most countries have special flags for individual military units. In addition, some countries have separate flags for each branch of their armed forces and for top-ranking officers.
Army flags.
Armies once went into combat carrying battle flags. Some of these army flags were different from the national flags of the times. However, soldiers now carry flags mostly for parades and ceremonies. Large units, such as regiments, have special flags known as colors. These flags often bear the names of the battles or campaigns (war operations) where the unit served with honor. United States Army units attach pennants called battle streamers to their flags. The streamers show where the units have fought. Smaller units of the Army carry small flags known as guidons in parades.
Navy flags.
Navy ships usually fly several types of flags. An ensign is a national flag flown by the navy or other armed services. The ensign is displayed when a ship is at sea. The flag is usually flown from a flagstaff at the stern or from a crossbar on the mast of the ship. In peacetime, the ensign need not be displayed if the ship is out of sight of land and no other ships are nearby. In wartime, the ensign is always displayed to show the ship’s nationality.
When a navy ship is in port or at anchor, a small flag called the jack flies from the jackstaff. The jackstaff is a short flagpole at the bow (ship’s front). At anchor, the ensign is flown from the flagstaff at the stern (ship’s rear). Ships of most navies fly command flags to show the title or command of any flag officer on board. If no officer higher than the commanding officer is on-board, a flag called a commission pennant is flown. The pennant shows that the ship is in active service.
Air force flags
often are flown over air bases. For example, the Royal Air Force (RAF) of the United Kingdom flies a pale-blue ensign. The ensign has a round emblem on the fly. This emblem represents the symbol painted on RAF planes for identification.
Flags of the sea.
A merchant (nonmilitary) ship flies a house flag of the company that owns it. At the stern, it also flies the national flag of the country in which it is registered. Instead of the national flag, the ships of some countries fly a merchant flag. The merchant flag differs from the national flag used on land. Canadian and U.S. ships fly their national flags. British vessels, however, fly the Red Ensign. When a ship’s captain wants a pilot to help the ship enter port, the captain may hoist a pilot flag. As a courtesy, a ship also flies the flag of any country it visits when in that country’s waters. 
Flags that talk.
Flags are often used for signaling. Sailors may use special flags to relay orders to other ships. The U.S. Coast Guard uses storm warning flags to provide weather warnings.
Hand signal flags.
In signaling, a wigwag flag is used to indicate the dots and dashes of the Morse code (see Morse code ). A signaler uses two semaphore flags to spell out a message. The signaler holds the flags in various positions to indicate letters and numerals. The U.S. Navy uses semaphore flags for short-range signaling. Sailors use red-and-yellow flags to send messages between ships. Red-and-white flags are used on land. 
The international flag code
is the most complete flag signaling system. It has more than 40 flags. A flag stands for each letter of the alphabet. Pennants stand for zero and the numerals 1 through 9. To send messages, sailors fly hoists (groups of signal flags). A hoist has from one to five flags that have code meanings or spell out words.
Each ship carries a code book. The book explains the flags of the international code in nine languages—English, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian, Russian, and Spanish. With the code book, any captain can understand messages sent to the ship. Warships fly the code and answering pennant when they use the international code. That allows other ships to know that they are not using a secret code.
Sailors use certain flags from the international code for warnings or announcements. A ship in harbor that is about to sail hoists the flag for the letter P. This flag was once known as the blue peter. A ship flies the D if it is having difficulty steering. When a ship flies the flag for the letter O, it has lost someone overboard. Flying the flags for the letters I and T together warns that a ship is on fire. The signal MAA requests urgent medical advice.
Flags of the United States and Canada
The Stars and Stripes is the most popular name for the red, white, and blue national flag of the United States. No one knows where this name came from. We do know the origin of several other names for the flag. Francis Scott Key first called the United States flag the Star-Spangled Banner in 1814. Key gave the flag this name in a poem that became the national anthem. William Driver, a sea captain from Salem, Massachusetts, gave the name Old Glory to the U.S. flag in 1824.
The Stars and Stripes stands for the land, the people, the government, and the ideals of the United States. Some other flags also stand for the United States, or its government, in certain situations. The Navy Jack, a blue flag with white stars, represented the United States whenever it flew from a United States Navy ship. Since 2002, however, all U.S. naval ships have instead flown the First Navy Jack. This flag was first flown by the Continental Navy in 1775. It features a rattlesnake shown over 13 red and white stripes. The flag’s motto is “Don’t Tread On Me.” This flag now represents the United States when flown by a U.S. naval vessel. 
Canada’s flag, with its maple leaf design, was adopted in 1964. This was more than 30 years after the country became independent. Before 1964, Canada had used the British flag and versions of the British Red Ensign. Today, Canada continues to fly the British flag—known in Canada as the Royal Union. This flag is a symbol of Canadian membership in the Commonwealth. The design of the British flag appears on the flags of several Canadian provinces. The French-speaking province of Quebec has four fleurs-de-lis, symbols of France, on its flag. 
Canada’s coat of arms appears on the personal standard used by the monarch of the United Kingdom when the monarch visits Canada. Because Canada is a member of the Commonwealth, the British monarch is Canada’s official head of state. Other Canadian government flags include the flag of the governor general and the Canadian Armed Forces flag.
First United States flags.
At the start of the American Revolution (1775-1783), the colonists fought under many flags. The first flag to represent all the colonies was the Continental Colors._This flag is also called the _Cambridge Flag, or the Grand Union Flag. The flag featured the British flag in its upper left corner. The Continental flag served as the unofficial American flag from 1775 to 1777. It was also the first American flag to be saluted by another country.
After the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, the British flag was no longer appropriate as part of the U.S. flag. On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress resolved that “the Flag of the united states be 13 stripes alternate red and white,” and that “the Union be 13 stars white in a blue field representing a new constellation.” This American flag received its first salute from another country on Feb. 14, 1778. French vessels in Quiberon Bay, France, saluted American naval officer John Paul Jones and his ship Ranger on that date.
No one knows for sure who designed this flag, or who made the first one. Francis Hopkinson, a delegate to the Continental Congress, claimed that he had designed it. Most scholars accept this claim.
In 1870, William J. Canby claimed that his grandmother, Betsy Ross, had made the first United States flag. Betsy Ross was a Philadelphia seamstress who made flags during the American Revolution. However, few historians support Canby’s claim. See Ross, Betsy.
The colors.
The Continental Congress left no record to show why it chose red, white, and blue as the colors for the flag. But, in 1782, the Congress of the Confederation chose these same colors for the newly designed Great Seal of the United States. The resolution (proposal voted upon) that authorized the seal gave meanings for the colors. Red is for hardiness and courage. White represents purity and innocence. Blue stands for vigilance, perseverance, and justice.
The stripes
in the flag stand for the 13 original colonies. The stripes were probably adopted from the flag of the colonial patriot group the Sons of Liberty. That flag had five red and four white stripes.
The stars.
The resolution passed by Congress in 1777 stated that the flag should have 13 stars. But Congress did not indicate how the stars should be arranged. The most popular arrangement showed the stars in alternating rows of 3, 2, 3, 2, and 3 stars. Another version had 12 stars in a circle with the 13th star in the center. A flag with 13 stars in a circle is often associated with the period. However, there is little evidence that such a design was used. There is no historical basis for assigning each star to a particular state.
Changes in the United States flag.
By 1794, two new states had joined the Union. Congress decided to add two stars and two stripes to the flag. It ordered a 15-stripe flag used after May 1, 1795. The stars appeared in five rows, three in a row.
Five more states had come into the Union by the end of 1817. Congress did not want the flag to have 20 stars and 20 stripes. They felt this would make the flag look too cluttered. Peter Wendover, a representative from New York, proposed a flag of 13 stripes, with a star for each state. Congress accepted the idea. On April 4, 1818, it set the number of stripes at 13 again. It also ordered that a new star be added to the flag on the July 4th after a state joined the Union.
Congress still did not say how the stars should be arranged, so flag makers used various designs. The Great Star Flag of 1818 had its 20 stars arranged in the form of a five-pointed star. In some cases, the Army and Navy worked out the new designs for the stars when a new state entered the Union. But in some cases, no official action was ever taken. During the American Civil War (1861-1865), President Abraham Lincoln refused to have the stars for Southern States taken from the flag. Union troops fought under a 33-star flag the first three months of the war. They used a 34-star flag until 1863, and a 35-star flag until the war’s end. No design was officially set for the 46-star flag used from 1908 to 1912. Presidential orders fixed the positions of the stars in 1912 (for 48 stars). A presidential order also set the positions of the stars in 1959 (for 49 and, later in the year, for 50). The 50th star officially became part of the flag on July 4, 1960.
History of the Canadian flag.
In 1867, the United Kingdom passed an act uniting four of its Canadian colonies as the Dominion of Canada. The Union Flag of the United Kingdom thus became the official flag of Canada. However, many Canadians wanted a flag that represented their own country. Some Canadians began to use the British Red Ensign with a symbol of Canada in the fly. The first such flag displayed the Canadian coat of arms. At that time, Canada’s arms consisted simply of the coats of arms of the four original provinces. After additional provinces joined the Dominion, a popular version of the Red Ensign included the arms of all the provinces. Such symbols of Canada as the beaver and the maple leaf also appeared on some of these flags. 
At first, the United Kingdom officially permitted Canadian versions of the Red Ensign to be flown only at sea. Nevertheless, Canadians flew these flags on land as well. In the early 1900’s, British opposition to the use of the Red Ensign in Canada grew. In 1924, a government decision allowed the Canadian Red Ensign to be flown on Canadian government buildings outside Canada. This flag displayed Canada’s official coat of arms, which had been granted in 1921. But the British flag remained the chief flag flown within Canada. 
Canada gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1931. But the British monarch remained Canada’s head of state, and the British flag continued to be Canada’s official flag. In the 1940’s, Canadians began flying the Red Ensign with Canada’s coat of arms within Canada. They did not adopt it as their national flag. however. For the next 20 years, Canadians continued to argue about the flag. Some Canadians wished to retain the British flag. Others wanted to use the Canadian Red Ensign. Still others wanted to create a new, distinctively Canadian, flag.
In 1964, the Canadian Parliament finally decided to create an official national flag. Toward the end of that year, after several months of debate, it adopted the flag in use today. A historian named George F. G. Stanley designed the flag. It had a red maple leaf on a white square between two red bands. The maple leaf had been a symbol of Canada since the early 1800’s. Red and white had been Canada’s official colors since the creation of the country’s coat of arms in 1921. On Jan. 28, 1965, Queen Elizabeth II officially proclaimed the Maple Leaf Flag to be Canada’s national flag. The flag was raised for the first time on Feb. 15, 1965.
Honoring a national flag
Some countries have flag codes. Theses codes are sets of rules for displaying and honoring national flags. The UN also has a flag code. Most countries do not have such codes. They simply expect their citizens to treat their flags with respect. Congress first passed a U.S. flag code in 1942 and has amended it a number of times. The president may proclaim changes in the flag code. The following sections give basic rules for honoring any national flag. 
Displaying the flag.
Most countries agree that one national flag may not be flown above another. However, the United Nations flag flies above all other flags at UN Headquarters in New York City. In addition, some nations permit a church pennant to be flown above the national flag while naval chaplains conduct services at sea.
Flag customs vary from one country to another. For example, the U.S. flag flies over the White House whether or not the president is in Washington, D.C. But the personal flag of the monarch of the United Kingdom flies only from the building that the monarch is in at that time. The United States flag flies over the Capitol every day. The U.S. flag also flies over the House of Representatives wing of the Capitol when the House is in session. The flag flies over the Senate wing when the Senate is in session. The British flag flies over the Houses of Parliament in London only when Parliament is meeting, or on holidays and special days. The same rule applies to the Canadian flag.
In the United States,
the national flag should be displayed every day except when weather conditions are severe enough to damage the flag. The flag is customarily displayed from sunrise to sunset. It is not illegal to fly the flag 24 hours a day. When flown at night, it should be spotlighted.
The U.S. flag should be flown at polling places on election days. Legal public holidays and other special days for flying it include the following:
New Year’s Day, January 1; Presidential Inauguration Day, January 20 (every 4th year); Lincoln’s Birthday, February 12; Presidents’ Day, the third Monday in February; Washington’s Birthday, February 22; Easter Sunday, no fixed date; Mother’s Day, the second Sunday in May; Armed Forces Day, the third Saturday in May; Memorial Day, the last Monday in May; Flag Day, June 14; Independence Day, July 4; Labor Day, the first Monday in September; Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, September 17; Columbus Day, the second Monday in October; Veterans Day, November 11; Thanksgiving Day, the fourth Thursday in November; Christmas Day, December 25.
In Canada,
the national flag may fly from government buildings from sunrise to sunset. It also flies on holidays and special days, including the following:
New Year’s Day, January 1; Good Friday, no fixed date; Easter Monday, no fixed date; Victoria Day, the Monday before May 25; Canada Day, July 1; Labour Day, the first Monday in September; Thanksgiving Day, the second Monday in October; Remembrance Day, November 11; Christmas Day, December 25.
Hanging the flag outdoors.
When the flags of several countries are displayed, they should be flown from separate staffs of equal size. The flags should also be about the same size. Almost every country requires that its own flag be given the position of honor among the flags. In most countries, this position is to the left of observers as they face the main entrance to a building. The national flag may also be placed in the center of the group of flags. Or it may be flown at each end of a line of flags. At headquarters of international organizations, such as the UN, flags are flown in the alphabetical order of their country names in English.
From a building,
a national flag should be hoisted, top first, either on a staff or on a rope suspended over the sidewalk.
Over a street,
a national flag should be suspended vertically. Its top should be to the north on an east-west street, or to the east on a north-south street.
Hanging the flag indoors.
A national flag should have an important place on a speaker’s platform. It should not, however, be used to decorate the platform. Instead, _bunting_should be used. At one time, bunting was a type of coarse cloth from which flags were made. Bunting has come to mean cloth (or sometimes paper) decorations in a country’s national colors. In the United States, the red, white, and blue bunting should be arranged with the blue at the top. In the United States, the national flag must hang free, either flat against a wall or from a staff. In Canada, the national flag may be gathered up like bunting in a display. 
When a national flag is displayed flat on a wall on a speaker’s platform, it should be above and behind the speaker. When hung from a staff, the flag should be at the speaker’s right. Any other flag should be to the right of the national flag from the standpoint of the observer. If a national flag is displayed with another flag from crossed staffs against a wall, it should be on the observer’s left. When a number of flags are grouped on staffs, the national flag should be in the center and at the highest point of the group. 
Raising and lowering the flag.
A national flag should be hoisted (run up) briskly. It is lowered slowly. It should be gathered and folded before it touches the ground. When displayed with other flags from several staffs, the national flag should be raised first and lowered last. 
Breaking the flag
means unfurling it dramatically at the top of the staff. The flag is folded or rolled loosely. Before it is hoisted, the halyard (hoisting rope) is tied loosely around it. When the halyard is pulled sharply, the flag unfolds.
Striking the flag
means lowering it at sea, or taking it down in battle as a sign of surrender. 
Dipping the flag
means lowering it slightly, then immediately raising it again as a salute. In Canada and the United Kingdom, certain flags may be trailed (lowered until the peaks of their staffs touch the ground) as a salute to the monarch. The U.S. flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. It should never be trailed. But when a ship from a country recognized by the United States dips its flag to a U.S. Navy ship, the naval vessel returns the salute. Most other navies follow this rule.
Flying upside down,
a national flag is traditionally a signal of distress. However, a flag is often displayed upside down as a political protest.
Flying at half-mast,
usually halfway up the staff, a national flag is a signal of mourning. The flag should be hoisted to the top of the staff for an instant before being lowered to half-mast. It should be hoisted to the peak again before being lowered for the day or night. By tradition, the national flag flies at half-mast only when the entire country mourns. If local flags are flown at half-mast for occasions of local mourning, the national flag may be flown at full mast with them. Citizens may salute and pledge allegiance to the flag when it flies at half-mast.
In the United States, the U.S. flag flies at half-mast for 30 days after the death of the president or a former president. It flies at half-mast for 10 days after the death of the vice president, the chief justice of the United States or a retired chief justice, or the speaker of the House of Representatives. The flag flies at half-mast from the day of death until burial of an associate justice, a Cabinet member, or the governor of a state, territory, or possession. The flag also flies at half-mast in Washington, D.C., on the day of death and the following day for a U.S. senator or representative, a territorial delegate, or the resident commissioner of Puerto Rico. The U.S. flag flies at half-mast in a state from the day the governor or one of the state’s U.S. senators dies until burial. The same practice is followed in a congressional district for a representative, a territory for a territorial governor or delegate, and Puerto Rico for the governor or resident commissioner. In 2007, the practice was expanded. A law allowed the governor of a state, territory, or possession of the United States to authorize flags in his or her region of authority to be flown at half-mast to honor U.S. military personnel who die on active duty. The mayor of Washington, D.C., may also give such an order.
In Canada, the national flag flies at half-mast only on occasions of national mourning, such as the death of the monarch. However, the flag on the Parliament buildings in Ottawa is lowered to half-mast on certain occasions. These occasions include the day of the funeral of a member of the Senate, the House of Commons, or the Privy Council.
Carrying the flag.
A national flag should always be held aloft and free. It should never be carried flat or horizontal. The person who carries the flag is called the colorbearer.
A color guard
is the group that carries or accompanies the flag in military and patriotic organizations. A color guard usually includes the colorbearer, two escorts, and a bearer of an organizational flag or other flag. The colorbearer with the national flag must be on the marching right of the other colorbearer. The escorts march on each side of the bearers. Nonmilitary color guards often include only one colorbearer and two escorts.
When a national flag is carried into a meeting hall, everyone in the hall should stand facing the platform. The colorbearer marches to the front and faces the audience, followed by the escorts. They stand on each side as the colorbearer puts the flag into its stand.
In a parade,
when a national flag is carried with other flags, it should be on the marching right. If there is a line of other flags, the colorbearer with the national flag marches alone in front of the center of the line.
On a float,
a national flag should be hung from a staff with its folds falling free. Or it should be hung flat.
On an automobile,
a national flag should hang free and not drape over the car. It may also be tied to the antenna or to a staff fixed firmly to the chassis or to the right fender.
Saluting the flag.
When a national flag is raised or lowered as part of a ceremony, everyone present should face it and stand at attention. Everyone should also stand at attention when the flag passes by in a parade or in review. A man or woman in a military uniform should give a hand salute. Men and women not in uniform salute by placing the right hand over the heart. A man wearing a hat should remove his hat with his right hand. He should hold the hat at his left shoulder, with his palm facing his heart. The flag should be saluted at the moment it passes by in a parade or in review. Citizens of other countries should stand at attention, but they need not salute.
United States citizens give the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag by holding the right hand over the heart. If civilians hear the pledge recited, they should stand at attention. Men should remove their hats. People in uniform should salute. If the national anthem is played, everyone present should face the flag and salute. If the flag is not displayed, everyone should face toward the music and show respect in the same way as when hearing the Pledge of Allegiance.
Permitted and prohibited uses.
Certain traditions have developed about the uses of national flags. This section describes some of them.
At funerals, a national flag may be used to cover the casket. An armed color guard may accompany the flag-draped casket of a person who served in the armed forces. But the color guard may not enter the church or chapel. The flag should be removed before the color guard fires a salute. The flag should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground. It may be used again after the funeral.
At an unveiling of a statue or monument, a national flag should have a prominent place. But the U.S. flag should never be used as part of the covering for the monument. The Canadian flag may be used in the covering but must be lifted off the statue.
A national flag should never be used for receiving, carrying, holding, or delivering anything. It should never be used as bedding, drapery, or wearing apparel. But a flag patch may be attached to such uniforms as those of athletes, firefighters, police officers, and members of patriotic organizations. A flag lapel pin should be worn on the left lapel near the heart. The national flag should not be printed on paper napkins, boxes, or other items that will be discarded. The U.S. flag should not be used for advertising purposes. It should not be marked or have anything attached to it. Advertising signs should not be fastened to the staff or halyards.
Caring for the flag.
A national flag should be folded carefully and put away when not in use. The U.S. flag may be given a special military fold. It should first be folded twice lengthwise to form a long strip. Then, starting at the stripe end, it should be given a series of triangular folds to form a compact triangle. If the flag is permanently attached to its staff, it should be furled (wrapped around the staff). It should then be cased (wrapped with a cover).
A national flag may be mended, dry-cleaned, or washed. An old flag, or one with an out-of-date design, may be displayed as long as it is in a respectable condition. When a flag is no longer fit for display, it should be destroyed in some dignified way. Burning is preferable.
Manufacturing flags
Some governments issue specifications for the design, proportions, and colors of their official flags. However, flags are subject to variations. Manufacturers often standardize common colors and proportions to reduce their costs.
Almost all flags are made of cloth. Most flags that fly outdoors are made with synthetic fabrics. The most commonly used fabrics include nylon, polyester, and acrylics. All of these fabrics are light, strong, and colorfast. For many years, flag makers used bunting in flags. This woolen cloth came in long strips called breadths. The strips were 9 inches (23 centimeters) wide. Some inexpensive flags are made of cotton. The cotton fabric is sometimes also called bunting. Special ceremonial flags are made of rayon.
Sewing is a common method of making flags. Strips of flag material are sewn together in the proper positions and sizes to create the flag. Elaborate designs, such as complicated seals, may be printed on cloth. The design is then appliqued, or sewn, onto the background fabric. Designs may also be embroidered on the flag by hand. Especially complicated flags, such as the United Kingdom’s Royal Standard, may be painted or embroidered entirely by hand.
Many flags are printed. Some are printed on paper or plastic materials, but most are printed on cloth. Flags and pennants are often printed on cloth by the silk-screen process. A separate silk-screen stencil is used for each color in the flag (see Screen printing ).
In making a United States flag, workers use machines to cut stars from white cloth. They then embroider the stars to the blue field of the canton (upper corner). The huge machines produce hundreds of star fields at the same time. Other machines sew together long strips of red and white fabric to form the stripes. Many flag makers sew panels of six stripes for the area below the blue field and seven stripes for the area beside it, then cut the panels into the proper lengths. The blue field and panels of stripes of the flag are then sewn together. A strip of strong heading material is sewn along the hoist for strength. The hoist is the part of the flag closest to the staff. A machine punches holes at the top and bottom of the heading. The machine inserts grommets (metal rings) into the holes for clipping the flag to the halyard.
In most countries, private firms make all the flags. Some governments make their own. Millions of flags are made each year worldwide.
