How to Display a Flag

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: August 10, 2021 References

Whether you’re displaying a country or a state flag, or even a flag representing your favorite sports team, there is a certain etiquette to making sure you do it right. These vary from choosing weather-resistant materials for outdoor flags to keeping the US flag lit at all times. Additionally, there are fun ways to display or even make your own flags at home. Try framing a flag for a classy decoration, or make your own to celebrate a special occasion.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Flying a Flag Outdoors

1
Keep the US flag above any others if you’re in the US. Residents and citizens in the US need to follow a certain protocol when flying the flag. If you are displaying more than one flag outside, you need to keep the US flag at the top, or if they’re in a line, it should be in the middle and raised to the highest point. Check out https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/celebrate/flagdisplay.pdf for more specifics.^{[1]
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- In addition to keeping the US flag above all others, you also need to be careful to never let it touch the ground.
- Never display a company or branded flag on the same pole with the US flag. You can display other country or state flags, but company flags are considered “advertising.”^{[2]
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2
Illuminate the US flag if you leave it outside 24 hours a day. You can buy outdoor spotlights that work with a timer so that the US flag is never in the dark. Check out your local hardware store to find the best available option, and then set the timer so that the light goes on around sunset and goes off around sunrise.^{[3]
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- If you don’t illuminate the flag, then technically you should bring it indoors when the sun goes down.
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3
Install a grounded flagpole for a tall, sturdy display. This is a great way to fly a country flag, as it’ll allow you to move it to half-mast if you ever want or need to. It’s also a little sturdier than hanging a flag from a pole attached to your house. Choose a fiberglass or standard aluminum pole for lightweight, easy to install options.^{[4]
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- You can hire a company to install the pole for you, or look online to find tutorials on how to do it correctly.
4
Choose sturdy flag hardware to hang your flag outside your door. Visit your local hardware store to find a quality pole and staff (what the pole sits in). Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to install the staff, or look online for video tutorials.^{[5]
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- When hanging the US flag outside your door, it should be on the right side as you exit the house. So from the sidewalk or front of the house, it will be on your left.^{[6]
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- If you notice the pole is getting rusty or is sagging, it’s probably time to replace it with a new one.
5
Arrange the height of your pole so your flag never touches the ground. Anticipate how low the flag will extend when there is no wind blowing, and give it at least 12 inches (30 cm) from the bottom of the flag to the ground. If you have a very high pole, extend the flag to the top.^{[7]
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- Whether you’re flying a country, state, or other type of flag, you want to keep it off of the ground—both out of respect and to keep the material in good shape.
6
Use an all-weather flag so it can withstand inclement elements. When buying your flag, there should be an indication on the tag or near the display telling you if it’s made of water- and weather-resistant materials.^{[8]
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- If you’re flying a US flag that isn’t made of all-weather material, bring it in when there is bad weather.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Hanging a Flag in Your Home

1
Hang the US flag so that the union is up and to the observer’s left. The union is the section made up of stars, and it should never be hanging toward to ground. Whether the flag is hanging vertically or horizontally, the union should always be on the flag’s right hand side. Other countries will have different stipulations, so check with their governmental websites.^{[9]
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- When hanging the US flag from a window, it should be displayed with the union (or blue field) to the left of the observer in the street.
- If you’re hanging the US flag in an office building or school, the union should be facing either north or east, depending on the location. If you enter the space from the east and west, then the union should be facing north. If you enter from the north and south, the union should be facing east.^{[10]
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2
Keep flags away from heat sources so they don’t accidentally catch fire. Space heaters, radiators, and candles all pose fire threats if kept too close to a hanging flag. Don’t hang a flag directly above a radiator, and never place a space heater or lit candle near or underneath a flag. Try to maintain at least 2 feet (24 in) of space between the flag and the heat source.^{[11]
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- If the flag is near a heat source, check it periodically to see if it is getting warm. If it is, move it to a new location.
3
Pair your flag with like-themed decorations for a cohesive atmosphere. For example, if you are displaying Italy’s flag, you could also use posters of Italian landmarks, paintings by Italian artists, and Italian-themed knickknacks, like rustic bottles filled with olives and peppers, to create a cool space.^{[12]
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- Visit thrift stores and yard sales to find inexpensive decorations.
4
Frame a flag for a classy decoration. Build your own frame or buy one from a craft or frame store. If you build a frame, include space for a mat in addition to the full size of the flag, and consider what colors you’d like the mat and frame to be. If you want to display a flag that has been folded, you’ll need to use a thicker frame, like a shadow box—this is a great way to display a flag if you have limited space or just like the way it looks when folded.^{[13]
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- Browse photos online of framed flags for inspiration.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Decorative Flags

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Fly a car-flag to show your love for your country, state, or team. If you’re displaying the US flag, attach it to the right fender. If you’re flying any other type of flag, you can put it anywhere on the car you’d like, but make sure it won’t be obscuring your eyesight or potentially drag on the ground. Buy a post and pole from your local hardware store and attach them to your car. There are some models that are magnetic, which is nice if you think you might want to remove it someday.^{[14]
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- Popular flags to fly from cars are country flags, military flags, and sports team flags.
2
Hang seasonal, holiday, or garden flags in your front yard. Check online or at your local home goods store to find some decorative yard flags. These come in a variety of colors, shapes, and themes, so chances are you’ll be able to find something that matches your personality.^{[15]
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- Yard and garden flags come with their own poles so they can easily be stuck into the ground or in a flag mount.
- For example, holiday flags are really popular—you could display one near your front door that has a seasonal greeting on it. Or if you have a child in school, you may be able to get a decorative garden flag from them to display some school spirit.
3
Create your own flag for a special cause. A DIY flag can be a great gift for someone or can be used to promote an event. Use nylon or cotton fabric and fabric paints to create your design. Then you can display your flag outside or in your home. Use a regular flag pole, or make your own out of a wooden or metal stake.^{[16]
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- For example, you could make a flag to celebrate a friend’s 30th birthday by using gold fabric, black paint, and glitter.
4
Use team pennants to decorate a room. Hang pennants using thumbtacks, or if they come equipped with a hanging string across the back, hook it onto a nail. Generally, pennants are hung with the point facing east or west, rather than north or south. If you have a den or a rec room, pennants can be a fun way to add some color and personality. It can also be fun to collect pennants from different events or places you visit and display them on a wall.^{[17]
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- You could even use pennants to decorate for a special event, like a wedding or baby shower.

Community Q&A

Question

I have a big peace flag, and an asexual pride flag also. Would it be acceptable to fly these both on the same mount?

Freyr

Top Answerer

Yes, you could fly them on the same mount. Peace and asexuality don't contradict each other in any way, so you won't need to worry about that.