Are there different ways to fold an American flag? We all know that the folding of a U.S. flag is an important tradition and done properly, it is easy to do! But are there really different ways to fold our National Symbol? Yes indeed… For many years the only stated way to correctly fold the flag was with thirteen folds, representing each of the original colonies.
While that still remains as a correct method for retiring flags on ceremonial grounds or presenting them during formal ceremonies, other methods are also described in Federal law (4 U.S.C., Section 7(m)). The most common methods for folding the flag these days include the ones we will mention here. Here is how to fold an American flag.
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The Thirteen-Fold Method
This method of folding the flag is most often used for institutional purposes such as presenting it during a ceremony, or retiring it by burning in a ceremonial fire. The American Legion recommends that the flag be folded with only thirteen folds. These steps assume an 8-foot long flag; if your flag is longer than this you will need to add more folds. With the 1st fold, bring the striped corner of the Flag to the blue field so that its edge touches the outer edge about one-third from the top edge of the fly end.
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The Four-Fold Method
For this method, fold the flag in half lengthwise so that the stars on the blue field face upwards. Then fold it a second time lengthwise with the blue stripes visible on the outside and repeat once more until you have four folds total.
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The Six-Fold Method
This method of folding a flag is often used to dispose of an American flag when all other methods are not possible (for example, burning). This process should be performed in private and takes place six times or twice for each former U.S. state being commemorated. First, bring one corner of the flag to its own opposite side, then fold it in half lengthwise as if you were wrapping a present.
After that, make another fold by bringing the striped corner of the flag into the other end of the white side. Now you will need to make four more folds, folding a triangular part of the flag over each time and tucking it in. This final fold should point up and you can secure it by pinning or tying off.
The One-Fold Method
This is considered to be the official way to fold an American flag simply because there are no written rules prescribed by federal law that cover any other ways besides this one. After holding your flag vertically and bringing all corners together (vertically), fold it in half horizontally; then bring the striped corner down so that it touches the edge of the blue field along its entire length. Next double-fold it again, turning a triangular shape downward and secure it with a pin or tie.
The Diamond Method
This method of folding an American flag takes a little more time, but if you want to make sure that everyone has the same way of folding our flag, this is one of the best ways to do it. Start off by holding your flag vertically and bringing all four corners together (vertically). Next fold over each corner so that they touch in 4 places per side; then unfold it once again into its original shape.
After doing this fold the stripes lengthwise over themselves until halfway down. Then bring each end up so that they meet at the top point. You can now wrap and secure both ends with a pin or tie as well as any other methods.
The Reverse Diamond Method
This is yet another way of folding a flag that has gained some popularity over the years. For this you will need 12 feet in length of your flag and make sure that the blue square on its edge touches the 3rd fold (when folded horizontally). Fold in triangles as you normally would, but unfold them back to their original shape; then bring the striped corner down so it makes contact with the lower edge of your blue field at about 12 inches from each side. Make one more horizontal fold before bringing both sides together again, effectively wrapping a diamond around the flag and securing it with a pin or tie.
To conclude, there are many ways you can fold a flag but the steps above will provide you with everything you need to know and offer a few methods for doing so. While there is no law that covers the folding procedure, tradition dictates that if your flag gets damaged it should be burned professionally or retired in a respectful manner.
