How to Fold the American Flag

When you think of America, one of the things that comes to mind immediately, is the American Flag. What you may not know is that the American Flag has a specific way it needs to be folded, and each fold has a meaning. Check out the step-by-step below on how to fold the American Flag.

Step 1

Have two people on opposite ends holding the American Flag the long way. When holding the Flag, the Flag needs to be parallel to the ground, and ideally waist-high.

Meaning: This first fold is done as a symbol of life.

Step 2

Fold the lower half of the stripe section of the American Flag lengthwise over the stars so all you see are the stripes. Make sure to hold the bottom and top edges securely.

Meaning: The second fold is done as a symbol of the belief in the eternal life.

Step 3

Fold the American flag lengthwise again, so that way the stars are on the outside. Still make sure to hold the bottom and top edges securely.

Meaning: The third fold is done to honor and remember the veterans who gave a portion of their life in order to defend America, and to attain peace throughout the world.

Step 4

Make a triangular fold on the striped side by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to meet the open edge of the Flag.

Meaning: The fourth fold is done as a symbol of people\’s weaker nature.

Step 5

Take the end that you just folded and point it inward, parallel to the open edge of the Flag, to form a second triangle.

Meaning: The fifth fold is done as a tribute to America.

Step 6

This triangular folding pattern is continued until the entire length of the American Flag is folded.

Meaning: The sixth fold is done as a symbol for where our hearts lie, since we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and all that it entails. The seventh fold is a tribute to the Armed Forces. The eighth fold is a tribute to the ones who have seen death and will one day see the light, as well as to honor our mothers. The ninth fold is done as a tribute to womanhood. The tenth fold is done as tribute to fatherhood. The eleventh and twelfth folds are in the eyes of different religious citizens.

Step 7

When the American Flag is completely folded into triangles, only the stars should be visible.

Meaning: The Flag has thirteen folds, as to represent the original thirteen colonies, and is a reminder of our national motto. The Flag takes the appearance of a hat, which reminds us of the soldiers that served all the way back in the Revolutionary War, which allows us to keep having the rights we have today.

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