Code outlines meanings behind the folding of the flag. The flag is also folded by members of the armed forces after it is lifted from a casket at a military funeral. Here is the meaning of each of those folds and what it means to you. Original flag folding folds of the us flag this was the original flag folding script from the air force academy. With more than 200 stickers and a world map poster, this is a brilliant, interactive guide to the flags of the world. Flag book the flag book is a unique and sculptural book form. The story of our flag is the story of the nation itself. The national flag foundation recommends that this ceremony be read prior to the actual folding of the 5 x 912 casket flag.
The correct way to fold a flag depends on the flag you are. Have you ever seen a flag with 18 stars or 24 stars, a flag that represents the state of illinois with only 21 stars. Red, white, and blue represent peace, freedom, and enthusiasm, respectively. Moss in his definitive book, the flag of the united states, its history and symbolism. Begin reading as honor guard or flag detail is coming forward. The myth of the religious meanings behind the flag folding ceremonies is perpetuated in part by the american legion, a nonprofit organization, with considerable influence over flag etiquette. Fold the lower half of the stripe section lengthwise over the field of stars, holding the bottom and top edges securely. To properly fold the flag, begin by holding it waisthigh with another person so that its surface is parallel to the ground. The meaning behind the folding ceremonies of the flag script outlines many alleged and discredited religious meanings behind the folding of the american flag. Our intent was to move away from giving meaning, or appearing to give meaning, to the folds of the flag and to just speak to the importance of the flag in u. The flag is only displayed at halfstaff by presidential decree or act of congress, except on two days. Oct 30, 2019 wikihow is a wiki, similar to wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are cowritten by multiple authors. Anley fly breeze 3x5 foot american us flag vivid color and uv fade resistant canvas header and double stitched usa flags polyester with brass grommets 3 x 5 ft. Before the evolution and adoption of the triangle fold each base, and ships, were free to fold the flag whatever way they wanted.
Home american flag history american flag timeline 1776 to present. Official regulation states that the flag must never touch the. And of the naval and yachtclub signals, seals, and arms, and principal national songs of the united states, with a chronicle of the symbols, standards, banners, and flags of ancient and modern nations. 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. Stump folding an american flag to be displayed in the moving beyond earth gallery at the national air and space museum. History of the flag of the united states of america. Make a triangular fold, beginning from the part of the flag that is furthest away from the hoist and folding the closed corner of the flag towards the open corner. The book contains much information within over 250 pages and bound with a hefty paperback size of 9. 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. This custom of special folding is reserved for the united states flag alone. This christian narrative typically reads as follows. 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.
This regulation went into effect on may 1st, 1795, and the star spangled banner became the new official flag of the united states. Fold the triangle back to create a new horizontal edge, then repeat the process, folding one triangle after another until the entire length of the flag. This was the original flag folding script from the air force academy. A folding pocket guide to state flags, symbols, mottos. Place the toothpick in the middle of the doubleflag. The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life. Jun 11, 2009 according to a fox news report and the american legion website, in october of 2007 the department of veteran affairs recanted its then newly adopted policy that forbade the recitation of the christian meaning in the folding of the american flag. Educational resources the american flag foundation. The evolution of the american flag 17762014 since 1777 the american flag, also known as old glory, has been a symbol of strength and unity for the united states of america. 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.
What each fold means the first fold of our flag is a symbol of life. These are used by the syriacarameans and the assyrians in their home regions and in the diaspora. Both nations do not yet have a country, but surely have an awesome flag to be proud of. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. Colonel hudspath said that was the primary motive for creating a new flagfolding script. Aug 20, 2007 its a great history lesson for students learning about individual states and their flags or of our collective history but mostly it is a beautiful photographic document of the flags of our countrys history. Since the flag code specifies that the flag should not be carried flat, folding the flag may be necessary for transportation, storage or display. 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.
The power and politics of national symbols, by tim marshall, a longtime diplomatic and foreign correspondent for sky news and the bbc, is. Called the okinawan flag or the ryukyu flag, proposed by the okinawa civil government. There is no reference to the meaning of the folds of the american flag in the u. 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. These step by step photo instructions will teach you how to make a flag book that you can fill with whatever you want. Its a great history lesson for students learning about individual states and their flags or of our collective history but mostly it is a beautiful photographic document of the flags of our countrys history. The triangular folding is continued until the entire length of the flag is folded in this manner. I present you the aramean flag and the assyrian flag. It is known that it is folded in a manner that adds dignity and respect to the flag. The last fold, when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, in god we trust. Here is a more in depth article on the flagfolding procedure and the meaning of.
B from the folded edge then fold again over to meet the open edge. The flag of the united states of america, often referred to as the american flag or u. The two additional stars and stripes were added to the original design in order to represent the admission of vermont 1791 and kentucky 1792. The traditional method of folding the flag is as follows. It turns out that it is not true that there was originally a specific meaning to each fold and thats why there are folds. A large flag may have to be folded lengthwise a third time. A worlds worth of flags and what they mean the new york. Jul 23, 2003 the latter site credits the usaf academy with assigning symbolic significance to each fold this can be found here. Outer point is then turned inward parallel with the open edge to form a second triangle.
History of the flag of the united states of america books. This book can be made by an individual or a group of people can each design a flag for a more collaborative approach. When autoplay is enabled, a suggested video will automatically play next. The flag folding ceremony represents the same religious principles on which our country was originally founded. Honor guard team demonstrate proper flag folding techniques. Delaware, pennsylvania, new jersey, georgia, connecticut, massachusetts, maryland, south carolina, new hampshire, virginia, new york, north carolina, and rhode island. Folded edge is then folded over to meet the open edge. Public law 94344, known as the federal flag code, is the law of the land regarding the. This movement changes the viewing experience based on how much the book is opened or closed. Use a toothpick and smear the glue on one half of the doubleflag. The us administration stated they would decide the flag after the foundation of the unified government of the islands. The american flag flag symbolic cloth flag, piece of cloth, usually bunting or similar light material, plain, colored, or bearing a device, varying in size and shape, but often oblong or square, used as an ensign, standard, or signal or for display and decorative purposes, and generally attached at one edge to a staff or to a halyard by which. Where may one find a comprehensive examination display but in the world encyclopedia of flags. The definitive guide to international flags, banners, standards and ensigns.
On february 27, 1814, the crown prince christian frederick created the first distinctive norwegian national flag. Read this book now our flag the manuscript was originally presented to the daughters of the american revolution, mary clap wooster chapter, in new haven, conn. List of books and articles about the american flag. Public law 94344, known as the federal flag code, is the law of the land regarding the handling and displaying of the american flag. The meaning of the folding of the american flagtruth. How to fold the american flag folding the flag how to. The way you fold a flag is a sign of respect for the entity for which it stands. The service is performed free of charge and is selffunded by donations and monies from members of the vfw. 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. Press the sheets together and make sure that the toothpick is secure.
The pink flower surrounding the taegeuk is a hibiscus syriacus, the national flower of south korea. An expression of local opposition to the swedish rule imposed on norway, it consisted of the red danish flag with its white cross, long used in. 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. Did you know that the us starspangled banner was designed by a 17yearold school boy. If you find yourself regularly dealing with flags, it is important to learn the proper way to fold them. Packed with information on fascinating flag, as well as over 200 flag stickers and a world map poster. Flag folding ceremony the meaning of each fold we the kids.
In light of the wonderful documentation in the book that made america. The ohio flag is the only state flag that is not rectangular. Flag of mindan, a prosouth organization of zainichi koreans. I developed these techniques over the years and am sure that someone else may have the same or similar techniques.
Correct method of folding the united states flag a fold the lower striped section of the flag over the blue field. Below are several suggested scripts to be used during. Buy products related to united states state flag books and see what customers say. Here is a lesson in the symbolism of folding the flag as described in the u.
A need arose for folding the flag efficiently to facilitate hoisting the next morning. More on how to properly fold the american flag from the drillmaster. New flagfolding script focuses on history, air force. 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. They are considered strong symbols which can inspire patriotism, and the development of many national flags is heavily linked to that particular countrys history. The national flag foundation presents its own special flag folding ceremony, incorporating several of the virtues attributed to the colors of the flag as specified in 1782 by charles thomson, then secretary of congress. Flagfolding in military freedom from religion foundation. At the end of the honors, 21 rounds of brass and the following card is presented to the veterans next of kin. 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. End boards covered in black and white map of the city of york.
C a triangular fold is then started by bringing the striped. Flag etiquette, flag history, flag holidays, flag code, folding the flag, flag disposal, powerpoint how to treat the american flag, how to display the flag, our flags progression other educational resources. The flagfolding ceremony represents the same religious principles on which our great country was originally founded. American flagfolding procedures the american legion. Includes links to related sites, tutorials, images of bindings and book objects. Throughout its 237 years of existence the american flag has been officially modified 26 times.
Meaning in the folding of the american flag nordskog publishing. The formal name of the society zainihon daikanminkoku mindan is written in kanji in white, and the abbreviation mindan is written in hangul in yellow. Repeat, fold in half lengthwise again, being careful that the blue field is on the outside. A straighten out the flag to full length and fold lengthwise once. 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. There is no official flagfolding ceremony and there is no official meaning to each of the folds. The flag folding ceremony represents the same religious principles on which our great country was originally founded. A flag is a piece of cloth or material used to symbolically represent a country, state or other organisation flags can also be used as a signalling and identification device in various manners, such as semaphore. The following document provides a brief history of the flag of the united states of america as well as guidance on the proper etiquette for display and handling of the flag.
The american flag isnt folded this way because each of the folds has a symbolic meaning. Many sources bear witness to the fact that the folding of the american flag at solemn military assemblies, such as funerals, has for a very long time held a christian significance. 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. Click here to watch an honor guard team demonstration of proper flag folding. A triangular fold is started along the length of the flag, from the end to the heading, by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to meet the open edge.
The 50 stars represent our 50 united states of america. Meaning in the folding of the american flag nordskog. Slightly over size book with one of the most complete history s on the stars and stripes, first stating with the stripes then the stars then to the flag we love today. The american flag may be folded for a number of reasons. Place some glue on the back side white side of the flag. D outer point is then turned inward parallel with the open edge.