How to Fold a Flag Properly for Display

Displaying the American Flag
The flag is considered a living thing, representing the growth throughout U.S. history. It only hangs at night when lit; the Union must always be in the upper left corner. In times of distress, the flag may be hung upside down. In cases of national or local concerns, the president or governor may order the flag at half-staff. Memorial Day and Peace Officer's Memorial Day require flags at half-staff.

Display Case Flags
A folded American flag is presented to families of deceased veterans who were honorably discharged. These folded flags are usually displayed in triangular flag display cases. Properly folded flags display the blue field of the Union on both sides, symbolizing safety in the night. The triangular shape symbolizes the hats worn by General George Washington, Captain John Paul Jones, and the Revolutionary War patriots, and their fight for freedom.

How to Fold a Flag for a Flag Case
With the flag in position, fold in half twice; after the second fold, the Union covers the left side with three full stripes extending horizontally. The first of a series of triangular folds begins at the stripe side of the flag and continues until a square plus triangle of the Union is all that is unfolded. The last triangle fold is done in the square: the upper-left edge of the Union is tucked into the top fold of the triangle.

Thirteen Folds within the Flag Case
The 13 folds of the flag symbolize the following: life; the belief in eternal life; honor of departed veterans who fought for peace; trust in God; tribute to our country; a heartfelt pledge of allegiance; tribute to armed forces; tribute to the light of day that shines through darkness and to mothers; tribute to womanhood; tribute to fathers; glory to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; tribute to the Christian emblem of eternity (the trinity); and finally, "In God We Trust."