How to Fold an American Flag

Flag etiquette is an crucial portion of the American tradition that makes certain the Stars and Stripes are addressed with the dignity they ought to have. Founded by Congress in 1942, the official U.S. Flag Code established rules for the treatment and display screen of the flag. Though it does not describe an official approach for folding the flag, the procedures do point out that you should really in no way shop a flag in a way exactly where it can get torn, soiled, or damaged. You should really also in no way allow the flag contact something beneath it, these kinds of as the floor or flooring.

About time, a triangular condition has turn into the standard way to fold the flag and shop it in a harmless method. In accordance to the American Legion, the actual origin of this distinct method is unfamiliar, but it may possibly trace back again to the Gold Star Mothers of The united states or the United States Air Pressure Academy.

You can fly Old Glory any working day of the year, but you may possibly want to place away an particularly large flag soon after exhibiting it on Memorial Day. This approach will hold your flag on the lookout pristine right until right until the Fourth of July or the following important holiday. If you might be by oneself, initial lay the flag out on a desk encounter-up, smoothing out any wrinkles. In any other case, come across a spouse and stand opposite just about every other at the brief ends, keeping the flag taut and parallel to the floor. Here’s what to do following:

How to Fold an American Flag

1. Fold the lower, striped area of the flag around the blue industry.
2. Fold around the folded bottom edge to fulfill the top edge.
3. Commence a triangular fold by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to the top edge.
4. Switch the outer place inward, parallel with the top edge, to form a 2nd triangle.
5. Proceed right until the final folds be certain that only the Union (the blue portion with white stars) is displaying and the open up edges are folded in.

See Specifically How to Fold the Flag

A couple tips:

• In the initial two methods, you might be essentially folding the flag in quarters lengthwise.
• If you might be folding the flag with a spouse, the particular person at the striped conclude should really make all of the triangular folds even though the particular person at the Union conclude keeps the flag taut.
Betsy Farrell

Flag etiquette dictates only flying your flag between sunrise and sunset except it is thoroughly illuminated. You should really also acquire down Old Glory in the party of inclement weather conditions apart from if it is really an all-weather conditions flag manufactured out of a non-absorbent material like nylon. Only fly American flags in great condition, but as extensive as you adhere to these rules, your Stars and Stripes will very last many years to arrive.