Q&A for How to Fold an American Flag

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Why does the flag need to be folded in triangles?

Community Answer

When folded, it resembles the triangular hats worn by colonial soldiers. Also, when folded in triangles, the folds will total 13 for the number of colonies. No other manner of folding will accomplish this.

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Question

How many folds are in the American flag?

Community Answer

There are 13 folds in a folded American flag, with each fold representing one of the 13 colonies.

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Question

How many stars should show on a properly folded flag?

Luis Gabriel Redor

Community Answer

A proper flag fold should have 4 stars pointing up on one side and 6 doing so on the other side.

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Question

Why do we fold the American flag?

Community Answer

You fold the American flag either to store it between ceremonies, or for dosplay. The folding process is a ritual in itself and contains 13 folds total, with each fold representing one of the original 13 colonies.

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Question

What if the flag is smaller? How many folds will the flag have?

Community Answer

All flags should have the same proportions so no matter how large or small the outcome will be the same.

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Question

After I fold my flag, what can I keep it in until the ceremony in July?

Community Answer

Purchase a flag display case. They look like triangle shadow boxes. You can also use a vacuum-seal bag. Both are available at places like Walmart.

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Question

How do you retire a flag?

Community Answer

After folding the flag, you burn the flag during a private or public ceremony. For more information about this process, read How to Retire a U.S. Flag .

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Question

Is this the same way a Canadian flag is folded?

Community Answer

Technically, any flag may be folded in any way you see fit, but a rectangular fold is most often used during ceremonial occasions in which the flag must be folded in a presentable manner.

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Question

Is red ever supposed to be showing on a folded flag?

Community Answer

Nope, just the canton. It’s the most important part, so it should be on the outside of the folded flag.

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Question

Is the folding the same for a Fire Fighter's Flag?

Community Answer

If you mean a Thin Red Line flag, yes. It's technically an American flag so its care follows the same rules and etiquette.

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Question

What does each fold mean or represent?

Community Answer

There isn't really a meaning to the different folds, this is just the most aesthetically pleasing way to fold the flag, and so it has become tradition.

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Question

Should I fold a 48-star flag the same way?

Community Answer

Yes, you would follow the same procedure.

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Question

Do I need to fold a small flag?

Community Answer

No matter the size of a flag, they're all folded -- unless, of course, it's one of those little flags that comes attached to a stick.

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Question

Is a flag folded differently for fallen veterans?

Community Answer

No it is always folded in the triangle way as shown above the same rules and etiquette.

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Question

Is it legally required to fold it this way?

Community Answer

No. It's a sign of respect for Old Glory. It is folded this way in military bases when the flag is down and at funerals when the flag is presented to the family.

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