How to Fold an American Flag Military Style

There is rich tradition and symbolism entwined with every stitch of the American flag. When the American flag is waving in the breeze, the heritage and history it represents flies with it. Upon lowering an American flag from a flagpole, it should never touch the soil. To fold the American flag properly, fold it military-style, which will result in a triangle-shaped fold. This triangle represents the hats that the American soldiers wore during the American Revolution. In fact, the entire flag-folding process is steeped in symbolism, with each fold representing a meaningful symbol or tribute to America's history.

Things You'll Need

• American flag
• An assistant

Instructions

1. Hold the flag by each of the four corners. One person holds the blue corner and the other corner along the short end of the flag; the other person holds the opposite corners.

2. Fold the bottom half of the flag up over the top of the flag so that the blue field is covered. Fold the flag in half again by bringing the folded edge on the bottom up to align with the top edge. The flag should now be in quarters with the blue field visible.

3. Begin folding the flag over onto itself in triangle folds, starting at the red-striped end. Make the first fold by folding the bottom edge of the flag up to the open top edge of the folded flag. Make the second fold by folding the top edge of the flag over so that it remains aligned and parallel with the top edge of the flag.

4. Continue folding the red striped edge of the flag over in triangular sections. As you fold, you will eventually come to the blue field. Continue folding in the same fashion over the blue field until you come to the point where you have a square of unfolded blue on the left and a triangle of folded blue on the right.

5. Fold the bottom left corner (from the square section) up diagonally so that you now have a large triangle. Tuck the left half of the large triangle inside the right half of the large triangle to create one smaller triangle. The folds will be secure because you tucked the flap in to hold it.

Tips & Warnings

• Throughout the entire folding process, the flag never touches the ground and the two folders work together to execute each fold.

References

• Flag Rules and Regulations
• Folding the United States Flag
• American Flag Folding Ceremony