How to Display the
American Flag
1.
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.
2.
The flag of the United States of America, when
it is displayed with another flag against a wall
from crossed staffs, should be on the right, the
flag's own right and its staff should be
in front of the staff of the other flag.
3.
The flag, when flown at half-staff, should be
first hoisted to the peak for an instant and
then lowered to the half-staff position. The
flag should be again raised to the peak before
it is lowered for the day. By "half-staff" is
meant lowering the flag to one-half the distance
between the top and bottom of the staff. Crepe
streamers may be affixed to spear heads or
flagstaffs in a parade only by order of the
President of the United States.
4.
When flags of States, cities, or localities, or
pennants of societies are flown on the same
halyard with the flag of the United States, the
latter should always be at the peak. When the
flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the flag
of the United States should be hoisted first and
lowered last. No such flag or pennant may be
placed above the flag of the United States or to
the right of the flag of the United States (the
viewer's left). When the flag is half-masted,
both flags are half-masted, with the US flag at
the mid-point and the other flag below.
5.
When the flag is suspended over a sidewalk 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.
6.
When the flag of the United States is displayed
from a staff projecting horizontally or at an
angle from the window sill, balcony, or front of
a building, the union of the flag should be
placed at the peak of the staff unless the flag
is at half-staff.
7.
When the flag is used to cover a casket, it
should be so placed that the union is at the
head and over the left shoulder. The flag should
not be lowered into the grave or allowed to
touch the ground.
8.
When the flag is displayed in a manner other
than by being flown from a staff, it 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.
9.
That the flag, when carried in a procession with
another flag, or flags, should be either on the
marching right; that is, the flag's own right,
or, if there is a line of other flags, in front
of the center of that line.
10.
The flag of the United States of America should
be at the center and at the highest point of the
group when a number of flags of States or
localities or pennants of societies are grouped
and displayed from staffs.
11.
When flags of two or more nations are displayed,
they are to be flown from separate staffs of the
same height. The flags should be of
approximately equal size. International usage
forbids the display of the flag of one nation
above that of another nation in time of peace.
12.
When displayed from a staff in a church or
public auditorium on or off a podium, the flag
of the United States of America should hold the
position of superior prominence, in advance of
the audience, and in the position of honor at
the clergyman's or speaker's right as he faces
the audience. Any other flag so displayed should
be placed on the left of the clergyman or
speaker (to the right of the audience).
13.
When the flag is displayed on a car, the staff
shall be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped
to the right fender.
14.
When hung in a window where it is viewed from
the street, place the union at the head and over
the left shoulder.