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The custom of folding the United States Flag into the shape of a triangle
bestows unique honor and respect upon the Flag. National Flag Foundation,
the Naval Library, the Institute of Heraldry and several other sources
have searched for documentation on flag folding, but detailed information
regarding its origin remains unknown. NFF and Dr. Harold Langley, former
curator at the Smithsonian Institution, theorize that the practice probably
developed during World War I when patriotism was high and the United States
Flag was universally embraced as a national symbol.
In 1923, as a consequence of this sustained patriotic fervor and the increased
use of the Flag, a conference of veterans' organizations and patriotic
associations convened in Washington, DC. in 1923 to create a code of etiquette
for the flag. Their intent was to establish traditions ensuring respectful
treatment of the Flag by all Americans, including the many immigrants
entering the country at that time.
Subsequent commentaries associated with flag etiquette began to contain
references to the code and to the symbolic folding of the Flag. One such
commentary, published in 1930, was written by James A. Moss in his definitive
book, The Flag of the United States, its History and Symbolism.
Moss wrote: "In the Army when, each day,
the Flag is lowered at the last note of retreat, the greatest care is
taken that no part shall touch the ground. The Flag is carefully folded
into the shape of a tri-cornered hat, reminiscent of the hats worn by
the soldiers who fought the War of the Revolution and won American independence.
In the folding the red and white stripes are finally wrapped into the
blue, as the light of day vanishes into the darkness of the night.”
(p.105)
In a letter written in 1988 to Jerald A. Merrick, Head of Reference at
the Decatur Public Library, George F. Cahill, former President of National
Flag Foundation, offers further clarification:
"I ascribe the fold as a salute to the tri-color
itself, - the three colors, the tri-sided hat of the colonial soldiers
and the colonists in general. I further use other things of three related
to the nation and to heraldry inclusive of: the three branches of the
national government; the three
primary documents of our land - the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution
and the Bill of Rights; and the West Point motto (duty, honor, country).
When meeting with scouts, one can relate the fold to the three points
of the scout oath and to the tri-points of the fleur de lis.1"
The precise details for folding the flag are as follows:
- Fold the Flag in half lengthwise.
- Repeat, fold in half lengthwise again, being careful that the blue
field is on the outside.
- As one person holds the Flag by the blue field, another makes a triangular
fold in the opposite end and continues to make triangular folds until
the entire Flag is in a triangle.
- Tuck the loose edge of the Flag into the pocket formed by the folds
so that only the blue field and white stars are visible.
There is one well-known ceremony for flag folding, often attributed to
the Air Force Academy, in which each of the twelve folds of the flag is
assigned a symbolic meaning. A copy of this ceremony may be obtained by
calling or emailing National Flag Foundation.
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. National
Flag Foundation recommends that this ceremony be read prior to the actual
folding of the flag.
The first fold stands for liberty. In America, we are free to own property,
to elect our government representatives, to attend the church of our choice,
to openly disagree, to travel freely without restriction, to pursue an
education and the “American Dream”. The white stripes of the
Flag symbolize our liberty.
The second fold represents unity. Abraham Lincoln stated that a house
divided against itself cannot stand. National unity in the face of natural
disasters and external threats, such as those posed on September 11, 2001,
has preserved our constitutional republic.
The third fold stands for justice. In America we believe that every person
stands equal before the law and is deserving of just and fair treatment.
The laborer and the lawyer are both entitled to justice in America. The
blue of the Flag embodies justice.
The fourth fold symbolizes perseverance. To persevere means to endure,
to remain steadfast despite severe hardship and obstacles. The Continental
Army suffered repeated setbacks before claiming any significant victory.
Yet throughout the brutal winter of 1777 at Valley Forge, they persevered.
The fifth fold represents hardiness. Hardiness is the ability to withstand
difficulty while remaining resolute despite adversity. The aggressors
in World War II underestimated American hardiness. They thought that Americans
were soft, incapable and unwilling to endure hardship. Our soldiers and
sailors such as those who fought at Normandy and in Korea proved them
wrong.
The sixth fold stands for valor. Valor means courage, the act of defending
what is right even in the face of opposition. Nathan Hale, the Revolutionary
War patriot, was convicted of spying by the British in 1776. Before he
was hanged, Hale displayed great valor with his words, "I only regret
that I have but one life to give for my country." The red color in
the flag represents valor, symbolic of the blood shed by all the American
heroes who sacrificed for our freedom.
The seventh fold symbolizes purity. A pure nation is free from taint,
from what weakens, pollutes or renders it ineffective. Our Founding Fathers
illuminated freedom's path for us when they created the Declaration of
Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The pure intent
of these documents enabled the United States of America to become the
greatest of all nations, a land of liberty which beckons to all who are
seeking asylum from persecution and oppression.
The eighth fold represents innocence. Innocence implies that one is unacquainted
with evil and is thus free from sin. George Washington once stated, "The
love of my country will be the ruling influence of my conduct." Americans
pay tribute to him and to all those who give devoted service to uphold
freedom's ideals without selfish or evil motivations.
The ninth fold signifies sacrifice. To sacrifice is to give up something
valued for an ideal, belief or goal. America exists today because of the
sacrifices of countless Americans. Many have made the ultimate sacrifice
of their lives in battles waged during the Revolution, the World Wars,
in Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, Afghanistan and other locations around
the world. We pay tribute to them and to the firefighters, policemen,
soup kitchen volunteers, members of our armed forces and numerous others
who continue to sacrifice for freedom.
The tenth fold stands for honor. One who possesses honor possesses a keen
sense of ethical conduct. To honor a person or ideal is to display respect
for them. We give thanks for all who have acted with honor in the founding
and growth of America. We pray that each citizen and all those who represent
us in government will conduct themselves in a manner that will continue
to bring honor to our nation and to our Flag.
The eleventh fold symbolizes independence. Independence is the state of
being free, of being able to make unrestricted choices within the law
as free individuals and as a free nation. Ever since our nation’s
birth, Americans have fiercely defended their independence against all
oppressors. Patrick Henry articulated the sentiments of his fellow Americans
past, present and future when he uttered those famous words, "Give
me liberty, or give me death." America stands as an icon of freedom
and independence for the oppressed of the world. May it always remain
so.
The twelfth fold represents truth. Truth is the body of real events and
facts. It is preserved through adherence to reality and the avoidance
of falsehoods. America was built upon God-given truths articulated in
the Declaration of Independence "that all men are created equal,
that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights,
that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
Adherence to these truths has made America a great nation. We pledge to
continue this noble legacy of truth so that in America, every man woman
and child may forever be free.
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