Help kids develop pride in the country’s flag. Teach and practice proper procedure for displaying the nation’s flag.
Begin with a demonstration of the do’s and don’ts of handling and displaying the flag in your home. Use a towel to demonstrate what to do, but have a real flag on hand to show proper display and handling techniques. Discuss the importance of the flag as a symbol of the country. The information below is a guide to the display and handling of the United States and Canadian flags.
Display the United States Flag
When to Display the Flag
- From sunrise to sunset.
- On all national and state holidays.
- NOT on days of bad weather.
How to Display the Flag
- Hoist it briskly and lower it ceremoniously.
- Make sure it’s hanging free – not touching anything below it.
- On an upright flagstaff (Blue field is always at top of staff.)
- On a flagstaff at an angle from a building. (Blue field is always at top of staff.)
- On a wall or from a porch. (Blue field is to the left, as viewed by spectators.)
- Above any other flag. If you must fly it on the same level, the other flag(s) should be to the right.
- NOT draped over anything as a decoration (except a casket).
After Displaying the Flag, Fold It Carefully
- Fold it in half the long way, bringing the striped half up over the blue field.
- Fold it in half the long way again.
- Hold the flag so the blue field is facing up.
- Fold the lower striped corner up to form a triangle.
- Fold another triangle.
- Keep folding triangle until you have a single triangle of blue field.
- Tuck end inside the triangle.
Never
- Attach anything to the flag – picture, insignia, or letter.
- Use the flag to carry something in it.
- Display the flag in any way that would easily damage it.
Worn-Out Flags
- Flags do wear out. When your flag does, destroy it completely in a dignified way such as burning.
Display the Flag of Canada
When to Display the Flag
- During the daylight hours – from sunrise to sunset.
- At night on special occasions if illuminated.
How to Display the Flag
- On a separate flagstaff from territorial or provincial flags.
- To the left of a territorial or provincial flag as seen by the audience.
- Above a non-territorial flag, if it’s impossible to fly it separately.
- Hung horizontally or vertically from a wall or porch.
Never
- Display the flag below any other flag.
- Drape the flag as decoration over anything (except a casket).
- Let the flag touch the floor or the ground.
Worn-Out Flags
If your flag becomes faded or worn, it should be disposed of quietly and without ceremony by burning.