737doctor From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 1332 posts, RR: 48 Posted (10 years 3 months 2 weeks 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 1524 times:
After the Columbia shuttle tragedy, I noticed many American flags flying at half-staff. Now, I've noticed that most of the flags are flying high once again.
Two questions:
1. How long should flags be flown at half-staff as a sign of national mourning?
2. Do other countries observe the same flag etiquette as the United States?
While we're at it, it would be interesting if members from other countries would post a picture of their flag or perhaps opinions of different world flags (i.e. favorite flag other than your own, least favorite, etc.)
And please, let's not allow this to deteriorate into a "my country is better than yours" flame war.
Pacificjourney From New Zealand, joined Jul 2001, 2698 posts, RR: 9 Reply 1, posted (10 years 3 months 2 weeks 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 1509 times:
Most countries do have laws about using/displaying flags. These rules usually apply to all national flags not just that countries.
Please don't quote me but I believe in the US all national flags are public property and should be displayed at half-mast for the government designated period what-ever that may be.
The rule most often broken everywhere seems to be leaving flags up over night, DON'T ! I don't really have any favourites except that simple is good.
"While we're at it, it would be interesting if members from other countries would post a picture of their flag..."
Here are the flags of the two countries I'm fortunate to call home:
USA:
Source: Conrad Suckow, Flags of the World (fotw.vexillum.com/fotw); used in accordance with that site's copyright policy.
SLOVENIA:
Source: Zeljko Heimer, Flags of the World (www.crwflags.com/fotw); used in accordance with that site's copyright policy.
...which will soon become a member of the EU:
Source: António Martins, Flags of the World (www.crwflags.com/fotw); used in accordance with that site's copyright policy.
BTW, Flags of the World (http://fotw.vexillum.com and other addresses) is a great source of flag pics and historic info. Whitney Smith's "Flags Through the Ages and Around the World" is a dated but otherwise amazing book on the subject.
Tbird From United States of America, joined Oct 2001, 851 posts, RR: 22 Reply 3, posted (10 years 3 months 2 weeks 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 1497 times:
Greetings:
President Bush ordered all Federal flags to fly at half-staff until this past Wednesday. So it's normal now to see the flag flying at full-staff.
FltMech9 From United States of America, joined May 2001, 57 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (10 years 3 months 2 weeks 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 1478 times:
On US installations in other countries where both the US and host nation's flag is flown. The host nation's flag will never be displayed higher than the US flag. The host nation's flag will fly at half staff slightly lower than the US flag.
TWAL1011 From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 194 posts, RR: 2 Reply 5, posted (10 years 3 months 2 weeks 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 1464 times:
On US installations in other countries where both the US and host nation's flag is flown. The host nation's flag will never be displayed higher than the US flag. The host nation's flag will fly at half staff slightly lower than the US flag.
Illini_152 From United States of America, joined Jan 2001, 1000 posts, RR: 2 Reply 7, posted (10 years 3 months 2 weeks 4 days 17 hours ago) and read 1436 times:
Also, when displaying a flag at half staff, it should be raised to full staff, then lowered to half. When lowering, the opposite should be observed.
The other one that irks me is flying a flag on an improper sized pole. I've seen a lot of gas stations do this, you'll see a batallion-sized flag (20'x50') on a 75' pole. Not only does it look rediculous, when flown at half-staff, the flag nearl touches the ground!
Also, the flag is not to be flown in inciment weather, and when it becomes too tattered to fly, it should be retired and disposed of in a dignified manner (burning).
--
Mike
Happy contrails - I support B747Skipper and Jetguy
ADG From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 8, posted (10 years 3 months 2 weeks 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 1432 times:
Funny they call it 1/2 staff (or 1/2 mast as we call it), but it is only dropped 1/3 of the way down ..
We don't fly our flag higher than any other flag as that is disrespectful to the other country AND breaches international convention. They are all flown at equal height.
IMO the best flag in the world ...... but then i'm biased
Half-masting
Flags are flown at half mast as a sign of mourning.
The flag is brought to the half-mast position by first hoisting it to the peak for an instant and then lowering it slowly to the half-mast position. The flag should again be hoisted to the peak before being hauled down for the day.
The position of the flag when flying at half-mast will depend on the size of the flag and the length of the flagstaff. It is essential that it be lowered to a position recognisably ‘half-mast’, so as to avoid any appearance of a flag which has accidentally fallen away from the truck owing to a loose halyard. A satisfactory position for half-mast would normally be when the top of the flag is one-third of the way down from the peak.
Flags are required to be flown at half-mast till noon on ANZAC Day, then raised to the masthead until sunset. It is appropriate to fly the flags of New Zealand, the United Kingdom and other allied nations alongside the national flag. It is also considered appropriate to wave small Australian flags as marchers in Combined Service Parades pass.
Flying the Flag with other Flags
When flown with the flags of other sovereign nations, all flags should be flown on separate staffs and in equal position, no flag being flown higher than any other and all being the same size if possible. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another in time of peace. The Australian National Flag should, however, be hoisted first and lowered last unless the number of flags permits their being hoisted and lowered simultaneously.
Silverfox From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2001, 1058 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (10 years 3 months 2 weeks 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 1377 times:
Username: FltMech9
From United States, joined May 2001, 15 posts, RR: 0
Reply: 4
Posted Sat Feb 8 2003 05:28:34 UTC+1 and read 100 times:
On US installations in other countries where both the US and host nation's flag is flown. The host nation's flag will never be displayed higher than the US flag. The host nation's flag will fly at half staff slightly lower than the US flag.
FltMech9
I noticed this in one of the papers during Sept 2001 when i was over in the US and every man and his dog was flying the flag. There were a number of 'offences' and one included draping over a bonnet of a car or something very similar.
I thought it most odd, that two counties flags were allowed to be on the same staff.
Aloges From Germany, joined Jan 2006, 8358 posts, RR: 47 Reply 13, posted (10 years 3 months 2 weeks 4 days ago) and read 1333 times:
Yikes... You folks are so conscientious about flags! Believe it or not, you'll hardly ever see a German flag fly in some citizens yard. Guess it must be because of our famous special history - my lil' country was, say, a bit over-flagged back then.
Walk together, talk together all ye peoples of the earth. Then, and only then, shall ye have peace.
Klaus From Germany, joined Jul 2001, 20860 posts, RR: 55 Reply 14, posted (10 years 3 months 2 weeks 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 1320 times:
Aloges: Yikes... You folks are so conscientious about flags! Believe it or not, you'll hardly ever see a German flag fly in some citizens yard. Guess it must be because of our famous special history - my lil' country was, say, a bit over-flagged back then.
Indeed...
Funny thing during the past world cup: A few houses along the street, someone hat the bygone GDR´s flag flying...
(Darmstadt is not in the east, by the way.)
Sayem55 From Pakistan, joined Jul 2001, 324 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (10 years 3 months 2 weeks 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 1302 times:
"2. Do other countries observe the same flag etiquette as the United States?"
Most of the countries do except Saudi Arab… because of 'Kalama' on their flag.
"1. How long should flags be flown at half-staff as a sign of national mourning?"
As Racko said it depends on the event that caused the half-staff. I am told that when founder of Pakistan died, Pakistan flag flown at half-staff for 40 days.
JeffM From United States of America, joined May 2005, 3266 posts, RR: 53 Reply 17, posted (10 years 3 months 2 weeks 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 1292 times:
In the United States, it is "half mast" when on a ship, and "half staff" when on Land.
Silverfox From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2001, 1058 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (10 years 3 months 2 weeks 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 1274 times:
Kolobokman
Suggest you get your colour balance looked at, you have the flag reversed
Bmi330,
Please it is the Union Flag not the Jack.
It is however flown on the jackstaff of HMS ships since records began,so thats where the misnomer has come from.
Jwenting From Netherlands, joined Apr 2001, 10213 posts, RR: 21 Reply 21, posted (10 years 3 months 2 weeks 3 days 2 hours ago) and read 1198 times:
Here in the Netherlands the flag may never be shown between sunset and dawn.
If the flag is flying while the sun is below the horizon it should according to protocol be destroyed (burned and the ashes burried).
Same if the flag touches the ground at any stage during hoisting or lowering.
Same if the flag is damaged.
Flag protocol also describes under what conditions a flag MUST be displayed and for how long if one is available (so if you have a flagpole you MUST fly the flag on certain days).
Representing the House of Orange, the flag is holy and should be treated with respect always.
You will also see that there is a second Flag of Scotland, which is the Lion Rampart. Red Lion Yellow background. This is also known as the Royal flag.
PHX-LJU From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 24, posted (10 years 3 months 2 weeks 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 1120 times:
ADG wrote:
it makes a very strong statement "I want to be the 52nd state!"
Just curious, ADG, why 52nd? Where is the 51st?
25 ADG: PHX, I have no idea how many states you have..... we'd just be one more and bigger than texass. ADG
26 Corocks: A bit of US Flag Trivia. I once was told that the Texas flag is the only state flag that can be flown without an accompaning US flag. Not 100% sure if
27 QANTASforever: ADG darling, Maybe you'd prefer something a little more.....'you', Again a joke. Please let's not get bogged down in another one of these debates. I c
28 Kolobokman: Silverfox, What can I say? Great choice, Scotland! Russia's Peter the Great traveled to England in 17th century, and I guess he 'designed' the flag up
29 ADG: Blake, Your picture only depicts 1/4 of the flag ..... where is the rest? Silly boy, you cannot claim a pretend flag as your own no matter how much yo
30 737doctor: My wife, a native Texan, tells me that the Texas flag is the only flag that can be flown at the same height as the US flag.
31 QANTASforever: ADG, Republicans love Pauline Hanson! Bron, you know I have a thing for bogan women. No wonder I like you so much :P lol QANTASFOREVER
32 ADG: She's not bogan, she's a new Aussie like YOU ... ADG
33 Silverfox: Kolobokman the haggis has been recalled , and is ,at this very moment being slaughtered in the time honoured way as prescribed by one Robert Burns The
34 Bmi330: That not is not a SCOTLAND flag! Our flag is blue background with a white cross let you away with it this time as long as it doesn't happen again!
35 QANTASforever: ADG, new Aussie?? I had always assumed she was born in your beloved 'straya. QANTASFOREVER
36 Galaxy5: During WWII my mother said that you were required to fly the flag, if you didnt the SS would come and take you away, she said she witnessed an event w
37 Kolobokman: Bmi330, From now on 'Rampant Lion' will be the only flag of Scotland! Please inform your government as soon as possible. Thank you. -artiom
38 ADG: Blake, BWAHAHAHAHAHA.... you know what they say about ASSumptions don't you . She wasn't born here ...... she's one of you ... ADG
39 Bmi330: You don't like the St Andrews flag tut tut LOL. the stores behind the god old St Andrews flag are very good and interesting.
40 Lan_Fanatic: Don't know how it is in other countries, but here in Chile it is an obbligation to raise the flag between September 17th and 19th (Fiestas Patrias, wh
41 B747skipper: Dear Lan Fanatic... I can see your point... you love and respect your country and its flag... Yet when you fly your flag it is a "special opportunity"
42 QANTASforever: ADG: you know what they say about ASSumptions don't you . She wasn't born here ...... she's one of you ... .......she was born in Bhutan to Bhutanese
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