For being one of the oldest flags in use, the british flag has a hard time finding its place in the symbolism of a great nation. Jun 16, 2017 the last fold, when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, in god we trust. Flagfolding in military freedom from religion foundation. Why the american flag is folded times have you ever wondered why the flag of the united states of america is folded times when it is lowered or when it is folded and handed to the widow at the burial of a veteran. It is easier if the person folding the flag takes one step forward before starting to fold the flag. When the flag is completely folded, the stars point upwards, which remind americans of their national motto, in god we trust. Custom has ascribed specific meanings to each of the folds applied to a u. As the flag is folded, for each fold recite the following. Repeat, fold in half lengthwise again, being careful that the blue field is on the outside. Holding the flag so that the side with the blue square is toward the ground, fold the flag in half again lengthwise. Meaning of flag folding program the flagfolding ceremony represents the same religious principles on which our great country was originally founded. B fold it lengthwise a second time to meet the open edge, making sure that the union of stars on the blue field remains outward in full view.
Correct method of folding the united states flag a fold the lower striped section of the flag over the blue field. You can follow any responses to this entry through the rss 2. Many of our readers ask about american flag etiquette and the u. Here is a list of rules and guidelines for displaying the american flag and treating it with proper respect. Born on june 14, 1777, the second continental congress determined that the flag of the united states be thirteen stripes, alternating between seven. Named americas toprated flag retailer save up to 40% on americanmade flags. Explain the meaning of and reason for the national anthem, and recite the words from memory. Over the last year 20182019 the significance of this ritual has gained a. The last fold, when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, in god we trust. There is one wellknown ceremony for flag folding, often attributed to the air force academy, in which each of the twelve folds of the flag is assigned a symbolic meaning. Flag code and no other laws that directly relate to that issue. Mar 16, 2015 the meaning of the folding of the american flag that is described in this erumor is not without importance, but it is not official and not required.
At the time when the united kingdom, britain, and northern ireland became one, the design of a flag that represents all three identities with pride was needed to keep the peace. B from the folded edge then fold again over to meet the open edge. There is history behind why the american flag is folded in such a precise manner. Start by folding your paper in half by bringing the shorter two ends of the paper together. Moss in his definitive book, the flag of the united states. Folding the american flag into a triangle gives unique honor and respect to the flag. A triangular fold is then started by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to the open edge. Stump folding an american flag to be displayed in the moving beyond earth gallery at the national air and space museum. When we fold our american flag we fold the stripes toward the stars, for whereas the stripes represent the original colonies that founded our republic and they are now embodied in the 50 sovereign states represented by the stars so that the stars cover the stripes on the flag. Meaning of flag folding program the flag folding ceremony represents the same religious principles on which our great country was originally founded. Public law 94344, known as the federal flag code, is the law of the land regarding the handling and displaying of the american flag. For he created man and he created them male and female. There is no official flag folding ceremony and there is no official meaning to each of the folds.
The meaning behind each fold of the flag annas musings. The meaning of the folding of the american flag that is described in this erumor is not without importance, but it is not official and not required. Do you know how to properly fold an american flag and what it. It is known that it is folded in a manner that adds dignity and respect to the flag. Have you ever wondered why the flag of the united states of america. Veteran benefits new journey cremations folds of the flag poem about collections chapter 5 military customs courtesies general whatread more american flag folding meaning why we fold the flag times each fold defined lovely explanation of fading traditions keep it alive. The first fold is a symbol of life the second fold is for our belief in eternal life the third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing rank, who gave a portion of his or her. Below are several suggested scripts to be used during flagfolding ceremonies.
To begin, with one person at either end, hold the flag waist high so thats its surface is parallel to the ground. Flag folding step 7 when the flag is completely folded, only a triangular blue field of stars should be visible. Each fold has a different meaning and those meanings are based on a set of traditional christian principles. Step 7 the represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their when the flag is completely folded, only a triangular blue field of stars should be visible. What each fold means the first fold of our flag is a symbol of life. Youll want the open edge facing to your right if youre the person on the fly side, the edge furthest away from the flagpole doing the triangle folding. Here is the meaning of each of those folds and what it means to you. A straighten out the flag to full length and fold lengthwise once.
On june 22, 1942, congress passed a joint resolution, later amended on december 22, 1942, that encompassed what has come to be known as the u. C a triangular fold is then started by bringing the striped. Have you ever noticed how the honor guard pays meticulous attention to correctly folding the american flag times. Public law 94344, known as the federal flag code, is the law of the land regarding the. Have an interview with a local, regional, or national official of your country, and learn about his duties.
Below are several suggested scripts to be used during flag folding ceremonies. The traditional method of folding the flag is as follows. The folds of the american flag the meaning behind each fold. How to fold the american flag folding the flag how to. It consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red top and bottom alternating with white, with a blue rectangle in the canton referred to specifically as the union bearing fifty small, white, fivepointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal. At the ceremony of retreat, a daily observance at bases during which all personnel. Have you ever wondered what each of the folds represents.
Each of the folds of the flag holds great significance. Tuck the loose edge of the flag into the pocket formed by the folds so that only the blue field and white stars are visible. On pearl harbor remembrance day, the flag can be displayed at halfstaff until sundown on memorial day, the flag is flown at halfstaff until noon, and then raised to full staff for the remainder of the day. The flag folding ceremony described by the uniformed services is a dramatic and uplifting way to honor the flag on special days, like memorial day or veterans day, and is sometimes used at retirement ceremonies. There is no official flagfolding ceremony and there is no official meaning to each of the folds. Fold the lower striped section of the flag over the blue field. The 2nd fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life.
The first step in folding the american flag is to fold the lower striped section over the blue field. A flag book is a type of sculptural artist book invented by hedi kyle. I often envision the flag book as a movable screen to define space. At the time when the united kingdom, britain, and northern ireland became one, the design of a flag that represents all three. This christian narrative typically reads as follows. Over the last year 20182019 the significance of this ritual has gained a lot more meaning. Subsequent commentaries associated with flag etiquette began to contain references to the code and to the symbolic folding of the flag. The custom of folding the united states flag into the shape of a. Meaning of flagfolding program the flagfolding ceremony represents the same religious principles on which our great country was originally founded. This double flag book structure by cody calhoun is made of various handmade. The national flag of the united states of america, which is commonly known as the american flag, is a source of pride for americans.
A large flag may have to be folded lengthwise a third time. C then starting from the striped end, a triangular fold is started by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to the open edge. American flagfolding procedures the american legion. There is no reference to the meaning of the folds of the american flag in the u. The flag is only displayed at halfstaff by presidential decree or act of congress, except on two days. Aug 07, 2014 there is even a flag company that has a video showing the flag being folded on a table backwards and upsidedown. Click here to watch an honor guard team demonstration of proper flag folding. It is best to use two people when folding the flag. Flag folding ceremony air force script for more than 200 years, the american flag has been the symbol of our nations unity, as well as a source of pride and inspiration for millions of citizens. A draped flag should be held over the casket by the pallbearers and, immediately after the sounding of taps, should be folded in the correct way. When its not on display, the flag should be folded into a triangle. A short video demonstrating the correct way to fold the american flag, while giving some interesting information about the flag.
Fold the flag in half lengthwise, crossing the red stripes over the top of the blue square and stars. The meaning behind the folding ceremonies of the flag script outlines many alleged and discredited religious meanings behind the folding of the american flag. Begin reading as honor guard or flag detail is coming forward. Have an interview with a local, regional, or national official of your country, and learn about his. The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life. Fold the lower half of the stripe section lengthwise over the field of stars, holding the bottom and top edges securely. New flagfolding script focuses on history, af significance u.
One such commentary, published in 1930, was written by james a. To properly fold the american flag, follow these directions. The folds of the american flag the meaning behind each. Air force leaders recently approved a new script that can be read during flag folding ceremonies. Folded edge is then folded over to meet the open edge. Outer point is then turned inward parallel with the open edge to form a second triangle. Folding the american flag the 12 folds and what they signify. Give the rights and responsibilities of a citizen of your country. When the flag is displayed over the middle of the street, 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.
Capitol on february 1, 2003, as a tribute to the crew of sts10, who died that day when the space shuttle columbia was lost during reentry at the end of their mission. As we revealed in our blog post how to fold your american flag, the origins of the widely accepted flag folding procedure is unknown. I originally wrote this article about the folding of the flag to honor flag day june 14 original posting 61414. Fold the flag again lengthwise, now with the blue field on the outside. Not only is this book an interesting and innovative means of creative. The meaning of the folding of the american flagtruth.
After the first pair of students has successfully followed the folding directions, ask two or three additional student pairs to. The triangular folding is continued until the entire length of the flag is folded in this manner. The loose end of the flag should be tucked in under the exposed layer of the flag. Invite two students using a real flag, if possible to read and demonstrate the steps involved in correctly folding a u.
There is even a flag company that has a video showing the flag being folded on a table backwards and upsidedown. The portion of the flag denoting honor is the canton of blue containing the stars representing states our veterans served in uniform. The american flag isnt folded in this manner because each of the folds has a special symbolic meaning. Oct 14, 2010 a short video demonstrating the correct way to fold the american flag, while giving some interesting information about the flag. Make a triangular fold by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to meet the open top edge of the flag. As one person holds the flag by the blue field, another makes a triangular fold in the opposite and continues to make triangular folds until the entire flag is in a triangle. The flag of the united states of america, often referred to as the american flag or u. The meaning behind folding an american flag national air. The flag of the united states draped over the casket is meticulously folded thirteen times by a total of six honor guards, three on each side of the casket. Simple instructions for folding the flag can be found at folding the flag. Adventist youth honors answer bookoutreachchristian.