Folding the American flag is one of the most important traditions we have in this great country. Believe it or not, Old Glory has gone through numerous design changes (27, in fact!) since the birth of the nation, and the one we salute today was only officially adopted in 1960.
There are so many reasons you might be handling your flag—displaying it on federal holidays, storing it away, or attending a funeral—and there's a fair amount of flag etiquette that goes along with that responsibility. Memorial Day flag etiquette dictates, for instance, that the flag fly at half-staff from sunrise until noon, then raised briskly to the top of the staff until sunset.
Properly folding the flag pays homage to the sacrifices made by those who have fought for our country's values. But maybe you never thought about how to fold an American flag until now. Congress established the official U.S. flag code in 1942, which provides guidelines for care. However, the code does not explain an official folding method. Over time, a tradition emerged: The proper way to fold the American flag is in a triangle shape. Here's how to do it.
What Is the Etiquette of Folding the American Flag?
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers step-by-step instructions on how to properly fold the flag. The most important thing to remember is that the American flag should never touch the ground; oftentimes for this reason, it takes two people. Begin by holding it waist-high with another person so that its surface is parallel to the ground and pulled taut.
- Fold the lower striped section of the flag lengthwise over the blue field of stars, holding the top and bottom edges securely.
- Fold the flag again lengthwise with the blue field on the outside, so the folded edge meets the open edge.
- Make a triangular fold by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to meet the open edge of the flag.
- Turn the outer point inward, so that it's parallel with the top edge to form a second triangle.
- Continue making triangular folds until the entire length of the flag is folded, the edges are tucked in, and only a blue field of stars is visible.
Why Is the Flag Folded in a Triangle?
According to the American Legion, the triangle fold is meant to resemble the tricornered hats of General George Washington and the troops during the Revolutionary War. It became the standard way to fold the flag during the funerals of fallen soldiers and veterans of any branch of the military. Each of the 13 folds has a distinct meaning during the ceremony.
Though there's no exact way of knowing why the triangle fold was adopted as the standard for all American flags, it is widely accepted that it continues the tradition of honoring the importance of this great symbol and everything it represents.
What Is the Proper Way to Display a Folded Flag?
Typically, you should place a folded flag in a triangular flag display case. These are made from high-quality materials to help preserve the material, and they feature a removable back with a button to keep the flag in place.
The biggest rule of displaying a folded flag is that there should be no red or white stripes visible, only the blue field of stars. You want to treat those stars and stripes with the dignity they deserve!
When to Fly the American Flag
You don't need a reason to fly your flag, because you can do it every day as a symbol of unity, freedom, and pride. However, there are some special days you may want to consider, such as federal holidays. They include:
- New Year's Day (January 1)
- Inauguration Day (every four years on January 20)
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday in January)
- Presidents' Day (third Monday in February)
- National Vietnam War Veterans Day (March 29)
- Armed Forces Day (third Saturday in May)
- Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
- Flag Day (June 14)
- Independence Day (July 4)
- National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day (July 27)
- Labor Day (first Monday in September)
- Patriot Day (September 11)
- Constitution Day (September 17)
- Columbus Day (second Monday in October)
- Navy Day (October 27)
- Veterans Day (November 11)
- Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November)
- Christmas Day (December 25)
Micaela Bahn is a freelance editorial assistant and recent graduate from Carleton College, where she majored in English literature. She loves running, photography, and cooking the best new recipes.
