A flag protocol (or flag code) is a set of rules and regulations for the display of flags within a country, including national, subnational, and foreign flags. Generally, flag protocols call for the national flag to be the most prominent flag (i.e, in the position of honor), flown highest and to its own right (the viewer's left) and for the flag to never touch the ground. Enforcement of flag protocols vary by nation, with some countries using flag protocols as recommendations and guidelines, while some countries enforce the violations of flag protocol with civil or criminal penalties.

Multiple countries, such as Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, India, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States, use different flag codes.^{[citation needed]}

General guidelines

The following guidelines are generally used between all countries.

Position of honor

The position of honor is reserved for the most prevalent flag. Typically, the national flag of the country in which it is being displayed. Following the national flags, flags of sub-federal divisions (such as states or provinces) typically follow and then other flags such as for armed forces or personal flags.

In the case of foreign nations, the host country receives highest precedence, and other national flags are displayed in alphabetical order.^[1]

The position of honor is centered or to the flag's own right (a viewer's left). When carried in single file (such as for color guard), the flag of honor leads.

When two poles are crossed, the position of honor is the flag that ends on the left side from the point of view of an observer (the pole will therefore end on the right). In a semicircle, the position of honor is the center. If a full circle is used outside an entrance, the position of honor is directly over the entrance. If used to line the walls of a room, the flag should be placed directly opposite the entrance. When placed with a podium or at a place of worship, the flag should hang directly behind or on a pole to the right of the speaker, from the point of view of the flag.^[2][3]

On a vehicle the flag should be put on a window or affixed securely to the front of the chassis, on the nearside of the vehicle, i.e. the one opposite the driver. (In other words, in countries that drive on the right hand side of the road, a flag is on the right of the vehicle.) On a vehicle where a visiting Head of State or Government is sharing a car with the host Head of State or Government, the host's flag takes the nearside position, the guest's flag on the offside.

Hanging

When flown horizontally, as from a flag pole, the flag should be oriented so that the canton is closest to the top of the pole. If hung against a wall, the canton should be placed in the upper-left corner from the point of view of the observer.

When hung vertically, flags should be rotated so the canton is again closest to the top of the pole. If the flag is displayed against a wall, the canton should again appear in the upper-left corner, which requires that the flag be both rotated and "flipped" from its horizontal orientation.

On a helicopter

Sometimes in a ceremonial flypast, a flag is flown from a weighted rope dangling from beneath a helicopter.

By country

Argentina

Australia

It does not matter when someone waves the Australian flag.

Brazil

The Brazilian flag can be waved or flown in different directions.

Brunei

Members of the royal family and the nobility each have their own flags. The Standard of the Sultan must be flown only over Istana Nurul Iman. Only the Standard of the Sultan, the Crown Prince, the 'Viziers' and 'Cheterias' (royal nobles) will be flown every day at their respective residents. Other personal royal flags of the Pengirans and personal flags of the non-royal nobles (such as Pehin Manteris) will only be flown during a ceremonial period announced by the Prime Minister's Office such as Sultan's Birthday, Royal Wedding and National Day. The public generally will fly the national flag during these periods. As in many other countries, Bruneians consider it taboo for the flag to touch the ground.

Canada

It does not matter how the flag of Canada is flown.

Chile

France

When a French vessel meets another French ship, it is to lower and raise its ensign as a greeting. A merchant ship meeting a ship of the French Navy will greet three times.

Germany

India

The flag of India has a very distinctive protocol.^[4] It is governed by the Flag Code of India, 2002; the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950; and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.^[5]

Insults to the national flag result in up to three years of imprisonment as punishment, or a fine, or both.^[6]

Official regulation states that the flag must never touch the ground or water, or be used as a drapery in any form.^[7]

Disposal of damaged flags is also covered by the flag code. Damaged or soiled flags may not be cast aside or disrespectfully destroyed; they have to be destroyed as a whole and in private, preferably by burning or by any other method consistent with the dignity of the flag.^[8]

Japan

The flag of Japan can be flown in many different directions.

Philippines

The flag of The Philippines strictly follows a specific position. The blue field should be to the right (left of the observer) in time of peace, and the red field to the right (left of the observer) in time of war. When displayed over the middle of a street, as between buildings or post, the flag should be suspended vertically with the blue stripe pointing to north or east.

Saudi Arabia

Because the flag of Saudi Arabia bears the Shahada, it is never flown at half-mast.

South Korea

The South Korean flag can be waved everywhere.

United Kingdom

Unlike many other countries, use of the national flag, the Union Jack, for many informal purposes such as on clothing is accepted.

The Department for Communities and Local Government in November 2012 released the Plain English guide to flying flags for England, a "summary of the new, more liberalised, controls over flag flying that were introduced on 12 October 2012".^[9] In England, the statute governing the flying of flags are The Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2007^[10] and 2012.^[11]

The Union Jack as well as national flags of the constituent countries are flown at half mast on days of national mourning such as after the death of a sovereign. The only flag in the UK that never flies at half mast is the Royal Standard, the personal flag of the monarch. This is due to there never not being a monarch as when one dies another immediately ascends to the throne and thus the flag must be flown at full mast at all times over the residence, building, ship or car that the monarch is in.

United States

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, the flag should be displayed in the same way, with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street.

The flag should be to the speaker's right (also described as the flag's own right or audience's left), that is to the left of the podium or pulpit as the speaker is facing the audience. Old guidelines had a distinction whether the flag was at the level of the speaker on a stage or the level of the audience. That distinction has been eliminated and the rule simplified.^[12]

When the flag is displayed at half-staff, it is customary to raise it briskly to the top the flag pole, then lower it slowly to the half-way mark. This is also done when lowering the flag. The flag is only displayed at half-staff by presidential decree or act of Congress, except on two days: On Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, the flag can be displayed at half-staff until sundown; on Memorial Day, the flag is flown at half-staff until noon, and then raised to full staff for the remainder of the day.

When displaying the US flag, it is customary for it to be above a state's flag when flown on the same pole. When flown separately, a state's flag may be at the same height as the US flag, with the US flag to the left of the state flag, from the perspective of the viewer.^[13][14] When flown with several state flags, the US flag should be at the same height and to the flag's own right (viewer's left), or at the center of and higher than a grouping of state flags.^[15] The idea that only the Texas and Hawaii flags—having been the national flags of the Republic of Texas and the Kingdom of Hawaii—may be flown at an equal height to the US flag is a legend.^{[citation needed]} In fact, any other flag may be flown at an equal height to the US flag provided the US flag is at the leftmost staff from the perspective of the viewer.

The flag of the United States is used to drape the coffins of deceased veterans of the armed forces. When it is so used, the Union (white stars on blue background) is placed above the deceased's left shoulder.

According to United States Code found in Title 4, Chapter 1 pertaining to patriotic customs and observances:

§8(k) The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed, preferably by burning.

These laws were supplemented by executive orders and presidential proclamations.^[16]

Uruguay

National flags cannot be adulterated on any way, nor be used with other intention than as national symbols as stated by law. It is also prohibited for buildings to raise flags other than national flags. The public loyalty oath to the flag must be taken once by every citizen and is celebrated on 19 June at learning institutes. The disposal of damaged flags is done by the Uruguayan Army. Each year on 23 September damaged flags are burnt as an official act.

Gallery

This gallery shows a few examples of flag protocol in practice.