Texas Flag Folding Etiquette

Two people are needed to properly fold the Texas flag.

The official protocol for folding the Texas flag was passed by the Texas Legislature in 2009. The act has been named the Rod Welsh Act, in honor of the Texas House of Representative Sergeant-at-Arms who developed the method to fold the state flag. You will need two people to fold the flag properly.

First Step

Fold the flag in half the long way (lengthwise) with the red field on top and the white field on the bottom. Be sure the flag does not touch the ground as you begin the folding procedure.

Second Step

Fold the flag lengthwise again. The white field should now be showing on the top and bottom. The red field is now inside the fold and no longer visible. Reposition the flag so the white star faces down and the blue field is on top.

Third Step

Fold over the corner of the white field so it aligns with the long side of the folded flag and forms a triangle. Continue to fold down the corners alternating sides and forming triangular folds. The last fold will make a blue triangle with part of the white star showing. Tuck the edges into the folds and the result will be thick triangular folded flag with part of the blue field showing and a section of the white star visible.

Final Step

Present or display the Texas flag as a folded triangle. Store the folded flag so it neither gets dirty or torn.

Other Pertinent Flag Etiquette

The Texas flag is displayed with the white field or stripe on top and the red field (stripe) below. The only exception to this rule is when you need to communicate an extreme emergency. Fly the flag upside down (red on top, white below) to indicate distress. The flag should not be flown if it is damaged or torn. Such flags should be respectfully retired. As with retiring a United States flag, the preferred method is burning. Do not let the flag touch the ground. It should hang freely and not touch the floor or water beneath it. The flag should not be dipped in deference to anyone or thing other than the United States flag. This could be done as a sign of respect.

Texas Flag History

The flag was conceived as the national flag for the Republic of Texas in 1839. Later, when Texas joined the United States in 1845, the citizens elected to continue using this design as their state flag. There is no record of who designed the flag commonly nicknamed the "Lone Star Flag."

References

• Rod Welsh Act (Texas State Bill 1145)
• Texas Peace Officers Public Information
• Texas Legal Statutes

Resources

• Texas state flag
• Texas flag history