Showing Respect Through the Folding of the American Flag

Flag Folding is a military custom. The American Flag is lowered at the end of each day. Respect and care should be taken so that the flag does not touch the ground. The American Flag is then carefully folded into the shape of a tri-cornered hat. The hat is a symbol of those worn by Colonial American soldiers during the war for Independence. The symbolism continues in how the American Flag is folded. The red and white stripes of the flag are wrapped into the blue, a symbol of the light of day vanishing into the darkness of night.

How to fold the American Flag:

Step 1: When folding the American Flag, begin by holding the flag waist-high with another person so that its surface is parallel to the ground.

Step 2: Fold the lower half of the stripe section lengthwise over the field of stars, holding the bottom and top edges securely.

Step 3: Fold the flag again lengthwise with the blue field on the outside.

Step 4: Make a triangular fold by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to meet the open (top) edge of the American Flag.

Step 5: Turn the outer (end) point inward, parallel to the open edge, to form a second triangle.

Step 6: The triangular folding is continued until the entire length of the flag is folded in this manner.

Step 7: When the American Flag is completely folded, only a triangular blue field of stars should be visible.