Rules for Displaying of the American Flag
The fundamental rule of the Flag Code is “treat all flags with respect and common sense. However, we’re sure that many people have specific questions, so we’ve provided the following information to assist you.
Year Adopted
Colors
Stars
Stripes
General Etiquette
- The flagpole should be illuminated at all times, either by sunlight or an appropriate light source at night.
- The flag should be flown in fair weather unless the flag is designed for inclement weather use.
- The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.
- The flag should not be used for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white, and red stripes is available for this purpose. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.
- The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed, or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard.
- The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman, and members of patriotic organizations.
- The flag should never have any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind placed on it, or attached to it.
- The flag should never be used for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
Over the Middle of a Street or Roadway
It should be suspended vertically with the union to the north in an east and west street or to the east in a north and south street.
Over the Middle of a Street or Roadway
It should be suspended vertically with the union to the north in an east and west street or to the east in a north and south street.
Flown at Half-Staff
From a Staff Projecting Horizontally or at an Angle
From a Staff in a Church or Public Auditorium on a Podium
From a Staff in a Church or Public Auditorium off the Podium
Other than being Flown from a Staff
The flag should be displayed flat, whether indoors or out. When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag’s own right, that is, to the observer’s left. When displayed in a window it should be displayed in the same way, that is with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street. When festoons, rosettes or drapings are desired, bunting of blue, white and red should be used, but never the flag.
With Another Flag Against a Wall from Crossed Staffs
Should be on the right, the flag’s own right which is the viewer’s left, and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag.
Flown on the Same Halyard with Non-Nation Flags
Suspended Over a Sidewalk
The flag may be suspended from a rope extending from a house to a pole at the edge of the sidewalk, the flag should be hoisted out, union first, from the building.