While the American flag is usually flown in front of houses on special occasions, many people have started placing it in front of their houses on an everyday basis. If you have noticed this trend and are wondering why people are doing it, simply checkout the article below for more information.
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American Flag In Front Of House Meaning
An American flag placed in front of house means that that owners of that house are patriotic and they are very proud to be American citizens. The American flag is also a symbol of freedom and it shows how strong America is and portrays the history of America and how they survived in the World war. Anyone is allowed to have an American flag in front of their house however, there are basic rules or etiquette that should be followed when handing the American flag in front of house.
Basic American Flag Etiquette
If you are going to be hanging your American flag in front of your house as a sign of patriotism then here are a few rules you need to follow.
Displaying
If you are going to be displaying your American flag from a window make sure that you place the blue union in the upper left side corner as will be viewed from your street. If you are going to be attaching it to a balcony or windowsill make sure that it is projected horizontally or fly it from an angle. The American flag should always fly at an upright position on your house and the union (star) should be on the observers left side.
Display Time
The American flag should be displayed at the front of the house from sunrise up to sunset. This is because it should be visible to everyone. If you want to fly your flag 24 hours a day, it is highly recommended that it should be properly illuminated at night with a dedicated spotlight.
Weather Conditions
When placing the American flag in front of house as a sign of freedom and patriotism make sure that you place it in favorable climatic conditions. If there are inclement weather conditions like rain, snow or storm it is advisable to remove the flag mainly because it can get damaged. If you have an American flag that is designed for all weather conditions you can still hang it however, there is a risk that it might still get damaged.
Flying
When flying the American flag on your house together with your state flag, the American flag should fly higher than all the other flags. The American flag can only be displayed at half-staff at specified times according to presidential instructions. If the flag is on a fixed pole, such that you cannot place it at half-staff, you should place a black ribbon on top of the pole in order to symbolize mourning.
Removing
When removing the American flag in front of your house it is should never touch the ground, water or floor. So make sure you remove it carefully in order to prevent this from happening.
Does And Don’ts Of Flying American Flag In Front Of House
- Never fly an American flag upside down as this is a sign of distress.
- Never display an American flag in bad weather.
- When an American flag is worn out or damaged it should not be placed in front of house, instead it must be disposed in an appropriate manner preferably through burning.
- Never carry the American flag flat or horizontally.
- The American flag should never be flown at night unless it is properly illuminated by a light.
- The American flag should never be flown beneath another flag.
- On Memorial Day, the American flag should be flown at half-staff until 12 noon, after that it should be raised.
- Never use an American flag as clothing, bedding or any other decorative element.
- Never add any decorations or letters to the American flag.
- The American flag should never be used as a vessel for holding things.
What Does It Mean When You Have An American Flag Outside Your House?
When you have an American flag outside your house it simply means that you are patriotic and love your country very much. An American flag outside a house also symbolizes freedom. So if you want to put an American flag outside your house, you should definitely go for it. However, make sure you follow the basic etiquette for hanging an American flag in front of house so that you don’t make any mistakes or offend anyone.
What Side Of The House Should The American Flag Be On?
The American flag should be on the left side of the house for observers. So this means when mounting it, it will be on your right side when you are in the house. An American flag needs to be placed on a house from sunrise up to sunset.
Where Should I Put My Flag Outside My House?
If you also want to join the trend of putting the American flag in front of house but you are constantly wondering where exactly to put it, here are a few places that you can opt for;
- Balcony/ porch
- Wall
- Sidewalk
- Window
Should I Take My Porch Flag Down At Night?
Yes, you should definitely take your porch flag down at night especially if you do not have a light to keep it illuminated. When planning on keeping your porch flag overnight make sure you have adequate lighting to keep the flag illuminated.
Is It Ok To Fly The American Flag Every day?
Yes, it is ok to fly the American flag every day. This is because it is a symbol of freedom. However, it’s important that you take note of important dates when the flag is supposed to fly at half-staff.
Conclusion
Hanging an American flag in front of house is not something that is offensive or embarrassing, it is actually something that shows you are patriotic and respect your country. If you are going to be hanging this amazing flag on your house make sure you follow the basic rules.