Proper Display of a Flag

February 27, 2009 2:46 PM

When hanging the US flag from the front of a house where do you position it from a visitor's viewpoint?

I need actual US flag display protocol, with references to US Code if at all possible, on where to position a flag when hung from the the front of a house.

The flag will be hung according to protocol from the peak of a pole mounted on the pillar of a house's front porch, the pole will be at an angle, neither vertical nor horizontal and dictated by what looks best. Nothing else will be attached to the pole, and nothing else attached to the flag. If it matters the entry way to the house is offset to the right from a visitor's perspective as he or she approaches the house, but not set back from the street. If it matters North is to the visitor's right as he or she approaches the house.

From my research I believe the proper location should be on the visitor's left unless the other side gives it more prominence, but the home owner wants a real reference to verify that. So, from a visitor's perspective as he or she is approaching the house from the street or sidewalk what side should the flag be displayed on?

posted by Science! to society & culture (10 comments total)

From reading the Flag Code, I see no explicit rule that states which side the flag should be flown on. §7, paragraphs h and i come closest to giving a rule, but do not.

If we want to follow the guideline given in i:

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.

then the flag should be flown to the right of the entry-way, so that the union is "uppermost and to the observer's left". However, that may not be appropriate in all cases.
posted by muddgirl at 2:56 PM on February 27

I don't think that there is any preference so long as it is the only flag or standard. Right or left is of no moment. There is a protocol when flying the flag with other flags - states, other countries, etc. See section 7(c) of the Flag Code, mentioned above.
posted by yclipse at 3:25 PM on February 27

+1 for having the union uppermost and to the flag's own right. Boy Scouts always taught us this, though more importantly my parents, both Navy, taught me this.
posted by InsanePenguin at 3:43 PM on February 27

Please reread the question. This flag is being displayed on a flag pole, much like this. The union of the flag will be at the peak of the pole and on whichever side the wind wills it to be.

Nothing in the flag code applies to this scenario. Section 7j comes close, but the pole isn't sticking out over the street. I might suggest hanging it from the northern pillar, but nothing in the Flag Code applies.
posted by mkb at 9:05 PM on February 27

mkb: "Please reread the question. This flag is being displayed on a flag pole, much like this. The union of the flag will be at the peak of the pole and on whichever side the wind wills it to be.

Nothing in the flag code applies to this scenario. Section 7j comes close, but the pole isn't sticking out over the street. I might suggest hanging it from the northern pillar, but nothing in the Flag Code applies."

Exactly. The pole will be mounted on a column supporting the roof over a porch, at just about that same angle. So looking at mkb's photo is that flag hung on the correct side or is there even a correct side?

And yes, the Union/canton will be at the peak of the pole that's what I meant by "hung according to protocol". I'm a former Boy Scout hanging this for another person who wants it to be correct as much as I do.
posted by Science! at 9:20 PM on February 27

The only applicable sections of the US Flag Code I can find might be the following:

"S. 6. a. It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness...

S. 6. c. The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all-weather flag is displayed..."

There is no regulation suggesting which side of the entrance the flag should be displayed on.
posted by Rock Steady at 9:57 PM on February 27

Thanks, I hung it on the right.
posted by Science! at 9:57 AM on March 1

The right as you leave the house, left as you approach it.
posted by Science! at 1:58 PM on March 1

To respond to mkb, I did read the question and understood perfectly the type of flag pole to be utilized. In my experience (over 10 years living in a house with such a flag and pole), a serious wind speed is required to cause the flag to do anything other than hang straight down or whip around fitfully. I understand the difference between a flag hung in a window or against a wall vs. a flag on a pole, and gave my own opinion as to the "proper" place for the flag.
posted by muddgirl at 8:43 AM on March 2

Sorry, muddgirl, I should have quoted InsanePenguin as that is the comment I was replying to.
posted by mkb at 10:23 AM on March 2