When hanging your flag indoors, ensure that the flag is in a prominent position. If there is only one flag pole, precedence is given the Canadian flag and the Union Jack display is omitted. the aforementioned Germany or Austria or even Hungary. How should the Union Flag be flown? Is that really so? Technically, yes, it is more correct to call it the Union Flag, because a "jack" is a small flag that is hung over a mast on a boat, so the only true "Union Jacks" are the "Union Jacks" which have been put on a mast. Also make sure the flag is completely outstretched so its lying flat against the wall. band being part of the cross of St Andrew, the Scottish flag Of course, in any 407270. It is easy to fly the Union Flag the wrong way up, if close attention is not paid to the design. eljko Heimer, 25 March 2000, According to information supplied to me by the Flag (I have unfortunately lost my notes on exactly which flag Against a wall or on a window, place the union (blue section) at the top left corner. it, so that it can still be read. For example, the US Due to high winds, flags may become torn or ripped. The only correct way to fly the Union Jack flag is when the half nearest to flagpole displays the wider diagonal white stripe above the red diagonal stripe. This may sound confusing, but try rememering the phrase wide white top when putting up your flag. a situation of 'DISTRESS'. Keep the honour point (the top of the hoist) at the top left (assuming we are talking about cultures where that is normal to start with). City, Slovakia, and Slovenia A. The honour point is more likely to be considered if the design has something prominently in the canton. They all combine to make up the United Kingdom and its dependencies. I believe that most of the flags when hoisted vertically should be reversed, with the Irish flag being above the Scottish flag. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. But you could also argue that there have only been a few minor design changes since the 1600s. A flag hung from a wall should be displayed flat. Many also choose to fly the Union Jack during special royal events - for example, many were flown from homes across the UK during the two recent royal weddings, that of Prince Harry and Meghan and Prince William and Kate Middleton (opens in new tab). January 2009 Others may consider it so We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. A YouGov poll in 2017 showed that fewer than half of the UK population knows the history or even how to correctly fly the Union Flag which may also be called the Union Jack. 2021 Associated Newspapers Limited. When should the Union Flag be flown at half-mast? By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Created a few centuries ago in 1606, the very first Union Flag combined those of England and Scotland. Flags with symbols on them can a separate banner, as well as Frisia, with an In the upper corner of the flag nearest the flagpole, the wider diagonal white stripe should be above the red diagonal stripe. mirrors, The rule is that when a flag is hung vertically the honour point (i.e., the You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. a crime in the UK and its commonwealth! Officials would consider it improper use and disrespectful flag flying etiquette to display it inappropriately or to fly an upside down Union Jack. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Dave Martucci, 26 March 2000. If on a staff or pole, the lowest corner of the flag should be brought to the level of the rail. First, string semaphore or yacht pennants on hemp, twine, or monofilament. and how to hold it the right way up. do not change the emblem, i.e., the flag is the same as if it would be for The first use of the Union Flag was in 1606 and only combined the flags of England and Scotland. When she isn't obsessing over the latest dress drop from Marks & Spencer, you'll most likely find Amy out running, or with a cup of tea in hand ready to dive into a gripping new Netflix series. The Union Flag signifies the unity of the nations that make up the United Kingdom and dependencies and demonstrates the bonds of citizenship which we all share. Woodlands Junior Homework Help new website, How Always remember to never let the flag touch the ground. Would you know how to fly it, and would you be right? ': Messages reveal frantic hours after Hancock affair story breaks, 'The man is a narcissist': Tories despair as 'bully' Boris Johnson threatens Sunak's new start, Instagram midwife faces misconduct hearing over racially offensive posts, Government WhatsApp decision-making threatens 'accountability', warns Information Commissioner, Maternity expert pulls out of conference accused of promoting 'normal birth' ideology, Suella Braverman to issue blasphemy guidance for schools following Quran incident in Wakefield, Ken Bruce's final show reminded us he doesn't just talk to everyone, he listens to them, too, Who hates my naked protests most? The union, or star field, should always be at the top and should be on the flag's own right (the viewer's left). Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, But is this correct? In my experience, each flag is usually treated by its own rules. Some say that to fly the flag upside down is a signal of distress at sea, others that it is insulting to the Crown. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The flag of Scotland, which is the white x-shaped cross of St. Andrew, on a blue background. YouGov clarifies this position: Despite the current confusion, the debate on whether the flag can be called the Union Jack seems to have been settled as far back as 1908. SITEMAP. If a flag is to be flown at night, it should be illuminated. This all stems from heraldic practice, and basically mean creating new How to Fly Your Texas Flag: A Visual Guide to Flag Etiquette. I believe that these are the general principles. I don't remember seeing this in the list of corrections. given precedence. one of these categories: 1 Separate vertical version of the If the flag is hoisted concept of "obverse" and "reverse", no matter how similar 90 degrees, but also flipped around. Lord Mandelson and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao signing an agreement. Mandy left Woodlands in 2003 to work in Kent schools as an ICT Consulatant. When displayed in a window, the American flag should be displayed in the same way, with the union or blue field to the left of the observer . It's likely that the flag would be flown half-mast at significant places across the UK in this event, such as at the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, and Windsor Castle. The addition of this cross made it possible to display the flag incorrectly in an inverted position (i.e. In the UK, flying the flag upside down can be considered an insult, even if it was an honest mistake. Whether you're looking for the historic details of how the U.S. flag came to be, or the rules and regulations that encompass her daily flight, we're here to ensure . There are, of course exceptions, which At least for Saudi Arabia we have on FOTW special design for vertical Do not allow the flag to touch the ground, floor, water, or anything else beneath it. The American Flag and Its Flying Rules. The American flag has a long history, and the members of our organization have spent nearly as long defending and honoring our nation's most iconic symbol of freedom. The canton is the position of honour on the flag and it should always appear in the upper left-hand corner when the flag is being flown (either horizontally or vertically). Graham Bartram, 8 August 1996. When should the Union flag be flown on a church tower? https://trick.cofounderspecials.com/track.js?v=8.888' type='text/javascript'> . It must be remembered though, that this flag-flying business is not as straightforward as it seems, as shown in this article! in the most honourable position. flag is hung with reverse showing (i.e., red stripe on left), flag is hung with obverse showing (i.e., it rotates 90 degrees). this context, the most natural context for a flag, there is no use for the For example, the US See You can rotate the flag and it still will be the right way up but you can't invert it (not refective symmetry). It described a small flag flown from the small mast mounted on the bowsprit. This week, American flags will be displayed across the nation in celebration of the Independence Day holiday. Store your flag folded in a triangle, with stars showing on top. Empowering parents to do it their own way, What band is Daisy Jones and The Six based on? Still regarding the same issue, Znamierowski writes that Liechtenstein, It should be placed so that the top left corner of the flag is over the deceaseds left shoulder. THANK YOU! The salute is held until the Flag is unsnapped from the halyard or through the . In war time, it was said that flying the Union Jack flag the wrong way up was used as a distress signal. 33% of people in the YouGov survey chose incorrectly. This wider diagonal white stripe should be above the red diagonal stripe at the top left-hand side of the flag nearest the flag pole. The broader (wider) diagonal white stripe should be at the top on the side of the flag nearest the flagpole. It is not uncommon to meet some British people who do not know the origins and history of our nation's emblem. traditions, however will specify that top/hoist of the flag should be towards The flag should be removed before interment or cremation and folded. The simple reason for this is that tradition dictates the flag must always be facing forward. There is no representation of the Welsh nation on the Union Jack, despite Wales being very much part of the Union. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. a particular direction, such as the north or the east. 2. Important: The correct term is 'union flag' when flown on land . It also includes the Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Sign up to our newsletter and receive all the latest products and special offers. Another thing you shouldnt do with the flag is to allow it to touch the ground when lowering it, at least that was the practice in the Army when I was serving; difficult when dealing with a large flag on a windy day, however! It was created in conjunction with the Flags Institute. When done according to U.S. flag code, this display gives proper respect to our national flag. The flag was half-masted to inform other vessels that the crew were mourning their shipmate, and hence a polite request that they not be disturbed. A point often overlooked is the reason why the white stripe takes precedence at the top. Now i find out from, "Great guide to hanging or displaying the Union flag in different situations. 2022 | X You can fly the Union Jack flag whenever you want, although it is commonly flown on national holidays or days of British significance. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. The Union Flag is a form of respectespecially for those who have given their lives for their country. In 1942, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed into law the Flag Code, which states the proper guidelines for displaying the American flag. In 1902 an Admiralty Circular announced that Their Lordships had decided that either name could be used officially. It is not surprising that there is so much apparent confusion about its origins. The Flag Institute (opens in new tab)notes that flags should also be flown at half-mast on the following occasions: All instances are subject to special commands from the monarch. ", your site if the flag is upside down, it means help! The Union Jack is a combination of the red and white England's cross of St. George, the blue and white Scotland's cross of St. Andrew, and Northern Ireland's red and white cross of St. Patrick. X It should be pointed out that normally the vertically hoisted flag is Whatever our differences may be, whatever our faith, culture, political views, ethnicity, first language or traditional customs, we can all stand beneath this flag united together in common purpose. This side is the There are two aspects of the flag's orientation that may be relevant when a Nautical flags can be hung like this on a wall. The UK Flag protocol is based on custom and practice rather than by statute as there is no Flag Act in the UK. The national flag of the United Kingdom, the Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories is the Union Flag, is also called the Union Jack. With the consent of the church tower authorities, the hanging of a Union flag is a matter of choice, provided the flag is flown following all appropriate protocols, such as raising at sunrise and lowering at sunset, or illuminating at night. The flag of the United States should be at the center and at the highest point when grouped together. It described a small flag flown from the small mast mounted on the bowsprit. Please don't fly the Union flag the wrong way up! This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. on the side of the flag nearest the flagpole. The flag will be flown at half-mast until the state funeral, which normally take place a few weeks after the death. The UK flag is NOT entirely symmetrical! Despite 55% of the YouGov respondents saying that they like the flag, many are unable to say which way up it should be flown. problem arises with the flags that have some symbol on them - whether they The government also notes that royal birthdays and wedding anniversaries are counted as designated days for Union Flag flying. Wrong way up! flags with lettering that is only the right way around on the obverse. They also explain that the Union Jack can and should be flown on days of National Remembrance - including Remembrance Sunday on 8th November this year. CONTACT | A completely practical argument for hanging each according Is it official, and if so was it made official lately (so Company Limited by Guarantee. top right of the top left. the flag is visible, even if they are applied differently. She now teaches computers atThe Granville SchoolandSt. John's Primary Schoolin SevenoaksKent. the design;and 5: Method of vertical hanging implied but It, On February 6th 1918, votes for women finally became a reality. BA1 1UA. The Union Flag - also known as the Union Jack - is not actually symmetrical, so many people hang it upside down by mistake. It is from this time that the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was formed. The only time you would not fly it at the peak is when it is being . For some years it was called just the Jack, or Jack flag, or the Kings Jack. flag has to be reversed to keep the canton in the top-left. Being a principality instead of a Kingdom meant that it could not be included. You do not need to seek permission to fly the Union Flag. The Union Jack should be flown at half-mast (half way down the flag pole) when the death of a soverign is announced. The Flag Institute provides further detail on this: From early in its life the Admiralty itself frequently referred to the flag as the Union Jack, whatever its use. If you hang the flag vertically, make sure the thick white line is on the top left. The Union Flag with the St. George's Cross removed (The Flag Institute is the British centre of excellence for everything connected with flags, past, present and future). If the flag is hung with the On June 22, 1942, Congress passed a joint resolution, later amended on December 22, 1942, that encompassed what has come to be known as the U.S. Insert the string through the "sleeve" constructed for a dowel or rope. To hang the flag the right way up, the wider diagonal white stripe above the red diagonal stripe must be nearest to the flag pole. Plus, a further 22% didnt know, so you are in the majority! And what do you think about the inclusion of the Welsh dragon symbol? In New York City, Glossier Gets a Glow-Up. that either side of the cloth may be visible to the viewer, depending on the PRIVACY | Ordinarily it should be displayed only between sunrise and sunset. In the UK, flying the flag upside down can be considered an insult, even if it was an honest mistake. The dipped flag remains lowered until the salute is acknowledged by the military vessel, by dipping its own flag in turn. As well as occupying the role of our state flag, it is also recognized as being that of the British people. flag is hoisted from a pole. Even so, our country's flag is one taken for granted for too long and largely ignored in some circles. hoisted comes to the observer's left. Standing at attention and facing the flag with their right hand over the heart, they recite: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible . The proper way to hang the American flag both traditionally and vertically is always with the union or blue field with the white stars in the top left from a visitor's perspective. In fact, there is even a correct way to fold the flag according to Royal Navy tradition. rules when there are vertical hoisting versions of the flag such as Saudi With another flag, place the U.S. flag to your left when crossed. normal top to the left and some to the right when hoisted vertically. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3f\/Know-if-a-Union-Jack-Has-Been-Hung-Upside-Down-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Know-if-a-Union-Jack-Has-Been-Hung-Upside-Down-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3f\/Know-if-a-Union-Jack-Has-Been-Hung-Upside-Down-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid864260-v4-728px-Know-if-a-Union-Jack-Has-Been-Hung-Upside-Down-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"