The American flag is not just a symbol of patriotism—it's history, a symbol of togetherness, and a sobering reminder of the liberty bought. For many, the flag represents patriotism, values, and national identity.

However, even the most dedicated flag enthusiasts can fall prey to a few common myths and misconceptions. Let me clear up some of those myths, providing a better understanding of the true history, meaning, and etiquette behind the American flag.

The Stars and Stripes: Where It All Began

Flag History is interesting, but myths surrounding its invention still cloud people's minds.

Myth #1: Betsy Ross Designed the First American Flag

Philadelphia's Betsy Ross supposedly created the first American flag. The myth has become so entrenched in American history, yet there is more to it. Even though Ross herself had also been an American woman from the early years of the nation, there was no evidence to be found to justify the notion that she had created the flag.

It was her 19th-century descendants who created such a legend about her. The actual creation of the flag would have been ordered by a bunch of guys, one of whom was Francis Hopkinson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Good tale, but come on and tell us: the American flag wasn't created by one guy.

Myth #2: The Number of American Stars on the Flag Is Equivalent to the States at Adoption

The second most common myth is that the number of American stars on the flag stays the same as the number of states the flag possessed when originally designed in 1777. New stars are added only when. There were originally 13 stars to symbolize the original 13 colonies when the flag was originally constructed.

New stars were added whenever new states entered the Union. New stars were not included, though, when all the states became part of the Union. The stars were rearranged later in other configurations, such as in a circle and rows since the Union was not yet stable. The stars later represent the states but are not necessarily indicative of the ratification of the flag.

The Symbolism and the Significance of the Color of the Flag

The flag is symbolic, yet nobody knows what the symbol is.

Myth #3: Flag Colors Have Random Significance

Red, white, and blue as flag colors were chosen by accident or due to being so fly. They were chosen otherwise and bear an astronomically ginormous amount of symbolism for the Great Seal of the United States.

• Red to show courage and gallantry as an emblem of honor to those who had shed their blood for liberty.
• White represents purity and innocence, both of which are ideals of America.
• Blue represents vigilance, perseverance, and justice, all of which are emblems of American ideals deep.

They were not chosen haphazardly; they were selected to represent the ideas and ideals on which the country was established.

Myth #4: The 13 Stripes Represent the First 13 Presidents

Yet another well-known myth is that the American flag's 13 stripes represent the first 13 presidents of the United States. They don't. They represent the first 13 colonies to revolt against Great Britain in 1776.

This myth has to be true because practically all of the first American leaders were involved in designing the flag. The symbolically richest embodiment of the original colonies and colonial unity in striving for freedom is the stripes.

Flag Etiquettes and Misconceptions

As flag patriots, the flag is to be treated with dignity in line with good flag etiquette. Several of the myths regarding the flying, storage, and treatment of the American flag are addressed in this piece.

Myth #5: It's Ok to Fly the Flag at Night If It's Lit Up

Others view it as disobedience to display the American flag visibly outside when outside later in the afternoon before lighting the same during evening hours. Displaying the flag also when already lit for evening hours, as demanded in the American Flag Code, is to display the flag alone during day hours even without a plan for other hours unless lit.

If you want to fly the flag late at night, it is in your interest that you illuminate the flag so that it will never be condemned. Otherwise, there is a regulation, and the flag is never flown except during daytime.

Myth #6: It's Ok to Use the Flag as Clothing or Merchandise

The second most prevalent myth is that it has to be pinned onto articles of clothing or draped on items, i.e., t-shirts, hats, etc. Amazingly, it is prohibited under the U.S. Flag Code. The flag shall never be used as a device for decorating the person nor as an article of dress. It shall never be used for advertising purposes.

If they are decorative and signboards are trendy, they tarnish the flag as a national emblem of pride. The Flag Code reminds us to respect the flag in its right by avoiding practice exposure to contemptuous treatment in exhibitions, which tarnishes its prestige.

Misconceptions About Flag Etiquette and Care

It is equally important to learn how to retire the American flag properly as it is to learn how to display the flag. The most prevalent myths of flag retirement and care are dispelled below:

Myth #7: The Flag Should Always Be Flown at Half-Staff on Memorial Day

Some are mistaken in their opinion that the American flag must be flown at half-staff on Memorial Day. Half-staff flown flag is an emblem of remembering the ordeal of the soldiers on Memorial Day morning. The flag must be hoisted to the peak of the flag mast at noon as a token of respect for the living and good fortune of the nation. This is an important aspect of being respectful on Memorial Day without diminishing flag etiquette.

Myth #8: The Flag Must Be Burned if It Touches the Ground

The most commonly misunderstood aspect of flag care is what one should do in the extremely unlikely event that the flag somehow or other touches the ground. And though there are so many millions of people out there who feel that the flag should be burned when it is soiled, never does something like that ever happen.

According to the U.S. Flag Code, if it has actually been brought down to the ground, then, pick it up and brush it off and, where practicable, rehoist it. If it must be retired after already being burnt that horribly, then let us retire it with respect, and it can be done by incinerating it—but ritually. No human defiles the flag, even on the ground. Showing respect towards it by not incinerating but retiring is a gesture of respect to the flag.

The American Flag in Protest and National Symbolism

Not only is it a unifying symbol, it is also a symbol of liberty and freedom to protest.

Myth #9: The Flag is Always a Universal Symbol of Patriotism

While the real American flag as a material thing is patriotic, it is also a protest symbol. It is also a symbol of revolution, of the Civil Rights movement, or social justice movements of the modern world. Far from cheapening the emblem of the flag as a symbol of rallies, it is evidence of the diversity of the American experience.

It is a statement of freedom and freedom achieved in the Constitution, i.e., to speak something and freedom to protest against oppression. It is a statement of concordance and freedom to protest against.

Myth #10: The Symbolism of the Flag has Diminished in Modern Times

Others would cause one to remember other days when the American flag stood for nothing in today's society. Far from it, however. The flag stands for uniting together, most notably on a national holiday or tragedy.

Whichever day it hangs on a national holiday, over the parade of a military procession, or after a national tragedy, the flag symbolically is something to be taken very seriously. The American flag still stands for the ideals on which this nation was established—liberty, freedom, and justice for all.

Conclusion

The American flag represents the values that this nation was built upon. After debunking myths and fantasies, then we walk around and show respect to the flag for what it's worth. We are flag fanatics our whole life or newbies-to-the-history-majors, too, stripping back the stripes and the stars to dissect why.

Your very first waving American flag blowing in the wind will be something to you in some way about the symbolism and heritage that is behind it. We may still perhaps remain in reverence for the American flag as so much a symbol of patriotism, but yet for all that we lost and for all that we fought for in the building of this great nation.