A flag protocol (or flag code) is a set of rules and regulations for the display of flags within a country, including national, subnational, and foreign flags. Generally, flag protocols call for the national flag to be the most prominent flag (i.e., in the position of honor), flown highest and to its own right (the viewer's left) and for the flag to never touch the ground. Enforcement of flag protocols vary by nation, with some countries using flag protocols as recommendations and guidelines, while some countries enforce the violations of flag protocol with civil or criminal penalties.
General guidelines
The following guidelines are generally used between all countries.
Position of honor Typically the national flag of the country in which it is being displayed is given the position of honor. Following the national flags, flags of sub-federal divisions (such as states or provinces) typically follow and then other flags such as for armed forces or personal flags.
In the case of foreign nations, the host country receives highest precedence, and other national flags are displayed in alphabetical order.4 U.S. Code § 7(g) This position of highest precedence is at the same height as other national flags; no nation's flag should be displayed higher than that of another nation in times of peace.
The position of honor is centered or to the flag's own right (a viewer's left). When carried in single file (such as for color guard), the flag of honor leads.
When two poles are crossed, the position of honor is the flag that ends on the left side from the point of view of an observer (the pole will therefore end on the right). In a semicircle, the position of honor is the center. If a full circle is used outside an entrance, the position of honor is directly over the entrance. If used to line the walls of a room, the flag should be placed directly opposite the entrance. When placed with a podium or at a place of worship, the flag should hang directly behind or on a pole to the right of the speaker, from the point of view of the flag.
On a vehicle the flag should be put on a window or affixed securely to the front of the chassis, on the nearside of the vehicle, i.e. the one opposite the driver. (In other words, in countries that drive on the right hand side of the road, a flag is on the right of the vehicle.) On a vehicle where a visiting Head of State or Government is sharing a car with the host Head of State or Government, the host's flag takes the nearside position, the guest's flag on the offside.
Hanging When flown horizontally, as from a flag pole, the flag should be oriented so that the canton is closest to the top of the pole. If hung against a wall, the canton should be placed in the upper-left corner from the point of view of the observer.
When hung vertically, flags should be rotated so the canton is again closest to the top of the pole. If the flag is displayed against a wall, the canton should again appear in the upper-left corner, which requires that the flag be both rotated and "flipped" from its horizontal orientation.
On a helicopter Sometimes in a ceremonial flypast, a flag is flown from a weighted rope dangling from beneath a helicopter.
By country Australia
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet issues non-binding protocols for flying the national flag and other Australian flags. Any person may fly the flag; although the department advises that "the flag should be treated with the respect and dignity it deserves as the nation’s most important national symbol". However, there is no legislation enforcing these protocols or otherwise prohibiting the desecration of the flag.
Belgium
Flag protocol in Belgium is governed by a strict order of precedence defined by federal and regional decrees (such as the Flemish Government's protocol guidelinesProtocol Vlaggen): The Belgian National Flag The Flag of the Community or Region (e.g., the Flemish Lion, the Walloon Rooster, or the Brussels Iris) The European Flag The Provincial Flag The Municipal Flag The position is determined by standing with one's back to the building (the perspective of the host), depending on the number of flags: 1-2, 2-1-3, 3-1-2-4 and 5-3-1-2-4. Some institutions prefer the four-pole configuration, as it places the Belgian flag and the Regional flag in the two central positions, which avois having the regional flag relegated to the "side" of a single central national flag.
Brazil
The Brazilian flag protocol is defined by the country's federal law 5.700, from 1971. It states that the flag may only be presented:
Hoisted on a mast or on halyards; Extended without a mast, be it tugged by aircraft, applied upon a wall or attached to a horizontal cable connecting buildings, trees or other structures; Painted onto walls, roofs, windows, vehicles or aircraft; Composing panoplies with other flags; Carried in graduations, parades or by itself; Extended on coffins before burial.
It may not be used:
Upside down or on its side; If damaged or if made with the wrong proportions; As clothing, napkin, tablecloth, or veil for to-be-opened monuments and plaques; On any casing or wrapping for commercial products.
Other rules include: worn-out flags must be taken to a military installation to be burnt on Flag Day, a yearly national ceremony; no foreign flags may be flown without the national flag by their side, except on foreign embassies and consulates; the flag must always be illuminated during the night; it always occupies a place of honor, central and to the right when displayed with foreign flags.
Brunei Members of the royal family and the nobility each have their own flags. The Standard of the Sultan must be flown only over Istana Nurul Iman. Only the Standard of the Sultan, the Crown Prince, the 'Viziers' and 'Cheterias' (royal nobles) will be flown every day at their respective residence. Other personal royal flags of the Pengirans and personal flags of the non-royal nobles (such as Pehin Manteris) will only be flown during a ceremonial period announced by the Prime Minister's Office such as Sultan's Birthday, Royal Wedding and National Day. The public generally will fly the national flag during these periods. As in many other countries, Bruneians consider it taboo for the flag to touch the ground.
Canada
There are established rules for flying the National flag of Canada. For example "The National Flag will always be flown on its own flagpole...It is improper to fly the National Flag with another flag, of any type, on the same flagpole." As well as adhering to the position of honour guidelines.
With the rise of synthetic fabrics, Canada has recently revised its guidelines on the disposal of the national flag.
Flags made of natural fibres (wool, cotton, linen) should be burned in a dignified manner, privately, without ceremony or public attention being drawn to the destruction of the material. Flags made of synthetic material (nylon or polyester) should not be burned due to environmental damage and potential fire hazard. They should be respectfully torn into strips, with each element of the flag reduced to a single colour, so that the remaining pieces do not resemble a flag. The individual pieces should then be placed in a bag for disposal – the shreds of fabric should not be reused or fashioned into anything.
France
When a French vessel meets another French ship, it is to lower and raise its ensign as a greeting. A merchant ship meeting a ship of the French Navy will greet three times.
India
The flag of India has a very distinctive protocol. It is governed by the Flag Code of India, 2002; the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950; and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
Insults to the national flag result in up to three years of imprisonment as punishment, or a fine, or both.
Official regulation states that the flag must never touch the ground or water, or be used as a drapery in any form.
Disposal of damaged flags is also covered by the flag code. Damaged or soiled flags may not be cast aside or disrespectfully destroyed; they have to be destroyed as a whole and in private, preferably by burning or by any other method consistent with the dignity of the flag.
Italy
Obligation to exhibit
The law, implementing Article 12 of the Constitution and following of Italy's membership of the European Union, lays down the general provisions governing the use and display of the flag of the Italian Republic and the flag of European Union (in its territory).Disposizioni generali sull'uso della bandiera della Repubblica italiana e di quella dell'Unione europea Legge n. 22 del 5 febbraio 1998 (GU 37 del 14 febbraio 1998) e Regolamento recante disciplina dell'uso delle bandiere della Repubblica italiana e dell'Unione europea da parte delle amministrazioni dello Stato e degli enti pubblicie Decreto del Presidente della Repubblica n. 121 del 7 aprile 2000 (GU 112 del 16 maggio 2000) In particular, in public buildings the flag of the Italian Republic, the flag of the European Union and the portrait of the president of the Italian Republic must be displayed in the offices of the most important Italian institutional offices:Decreto del presidente della Repubblica 7 aprile 2000, n. 121, articolo 6, in materia di "Regolamento recante disciplina dell'uso delle bandiere della Repubblica italiana e dell'Unione europea da parte delle amministrazioni dello Stato e degli enti pubblici"Legge 5 febbraio 1998, n. 22, in materia di "Disposizioni generali sull'uso della bandiera della Repubblica italiana e di quella dell'Unione europea"
a) members of the Council of Ministers and Undersecretaries of State; b) managers in charge of general directorates or equivalent postal services in the central administrations of the State as well as managers in charge of peripheral offices of the State having a territorial constituency no smaller than the province; c) holders of the highest institutional office of public bodies of national dimension, and holders of the managerial offices corresponding to those referred to in letter b); d) holders of the highest institutional office of the independent authorities; e) managers of judicial offices; f) heads of diplomatic representations, consular offices and Italian cultural institutes abroad. For honorary consuls the exhibition is optional.
The flag of Italy must also be displayed outside all schools of all levels, outside university complexes, outside the buildings that host the voting operations, outside the prefectures, police headquarters, palaces of justice and outside the central post offices.
The flag of Italy must also be displayed on all public offices on the Tricolour Day (7 January), the Anniversary of the Lateran Treaty (11 February), the Anniversary of the Liberation (25 April), the Labour Day (1 May), the Europe Day (9 May), the Feast of the Italian Republic (2 June), the commemoration of the Four days of Naples (28 September), the feast of the patron saint of Italy (Francis of Assisi, 4 October), United Nations Day (24 October; here the tricolour must fly together with the flag of the United Nations) and National Unity and Armed Forces Day (4 November).