The correct way to fold the flag depends on what flag you are holding. National flags demand more attention than ordinary flags with little or no meaning. Keep reading to learn how to fold the flags of the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Folding the United States Flag
Step 1. Hold the flag at back height
Ask someone else to hold and fold the flag. Both people must hold the flag at back level so that the flat part of the flag is pointing parallel to the ground.
- Both people must hold the flag on the wide side (sides) not the long side (top and bottom).
- The person holding the flag closest to the stars will continue to stand still in the process of folding the flag. The person holding the flag on the part of the stripes that will fold.
Step 2. Fold the bottom part over the top of the stars
Fold the bottom edge up to meet the top edge. Grasp the ends by holding on to the top and bottom sides firmly.
The bottom half of the stripes section will be folded lengthwise over the stars
Step 3. Fold lengthwise again
The new lower end must be folded up to meet the new upper end, bringing the stars outwards.
- The flag should now be folded in quarter lengthwise.
- The newest open end should be on top and the new folded end should be on the bottom.
Step 4. Fold in a triangle at the end of the flag
Bring the lower end of the flag to the top of the striped end so that it meets the top end of the flag.
This will form a triangular cloth with part of the line perpendicular to the rest of the lines on the flag. The side of the triangle must be straight on the side of the flag, and no material should cross the line
Step 5. Fold the triangle inward the entire length of the flag
Fold the ends of the triangles all over the flag until they are flat again.
Continue wrapping this triangular fold over the remainder of the flag until you have folded the entire length of the flag into a triangle
Step 6. See the display of the folded flag
When you're done, you'll only see a triangle in the star section. No parts of the red and white stripes are visible.
Method 2 of 4: Folding the Canadian Flag in Ceremony
Step 1. Find enough people
Folding the flag in the ceremony is done by at least eight people.
This method does not need to be done every day to fold the Canadian flag. To fold the Canadian flag on a daily basis, simply fold the flag well into a shape that can be stored properly
Step 2. Hold the flag firmly
Persons 1, 3, 5, and 7 must hold the lower half of the flag at an equal distance from each other. Persons 2, 4, 6, 8 hold the top of the flag at an equal distance from each other.
- The face of the flag must be parallel to the ground.
- Participants with even numbers must face the participants with odd numbers and vice versa.
Step 3. Give the sewn parts and swap positions
The participant with the odd number holding the bottom of the flag must fold the flag down so that the bottom meets the top.
- Wait for the phrase “Ready to fold. Fold."
- Simultaneously, participants 2 and 8, or the two competitors closest to the top edge, must swap their hands towards the center of the outer edge and take their respective corners.
- Participants 4 and 6 must remain silent.
- Odd-numbered participants must take the folded end of the flag to keep it tight.
Step 4. Fold the flag along the length once again
Repeat the same procedure to fold the flag lengthwise in quarters.
- Wait for the phrase “Ready to fold. Fold."
- When you're done, the tip of the maple leaf should be facing up.
Step 5. Fold in approximately one third of the length
Participants 7 and 8 must fold their ends forward and up, bringing the halves to participants 5 and 6, respectively.
- Wait for the phrase “Ready to fold. Fold."
- Participants 3, 4, 5, and 6 must hold the flag tight when folded.
- When finished, participants 7 and 8 step back.
Step 6. Repeat the same fold twice
Participants 5 and 6 must fold their halves up and forward, bringing the ends to participants 3 and 4. Once this is done, participants 3 and 4 must fold their halves up and forward, bringing the ends to participants 1 and 2.
- Both times you have to wait for the command “Ready to fold. Fold."
- Keep the flag tight when you fold.
- Each participant must step back and stand ready after removing the flag.
Step 7. Do the last fold
Participants 1 and 2 must fold the flag on top, preparing it for the final display.
Method 3 of 4: Method Three: Folding the British Flag for Disbandment
Step 1. Hold the flag firmly
This fold can be done by two people. One person stands on one side, near the head, while another person stands on the other side.
- The "head" is the part of the flag that touches the pole.
- The face of the flag must be parallel to the ground.
Step 2. Fold the flag in half
Both participants must fold the bottom half of the flag down to meet the top.
- The bottom and top should be straight.
- The center line extending from side to side should already be in half on the new bottom, folded part.
Step 3. Fold the flag in quarters
Fold the lengthwise, bringing the new bottom to meet the top of the flag.
- The ends should be straight.
- Half of the center line that was previously facing the mainland is now facing upwards. Half of this center line should be the new top.
Step 4. Raise a third of the length from the bottom
The person holding the side furthest from the head should make a wide fold that makes the short one third of the length.
- Fold the ends inward.
- Fasten the flag when you fold.
Step 5. Roll up the remaining length from the head
Starting with the part that was most recently folded, the person not holding the head piece must roll the flag until the entire remaining length has been rolled up.
Roll it up tightly so the flag holds its shape and won't wrinkle or fall off when placed
Step 6. Tie with cotton
Tie a knot using a cotton cloth to tie the folded and rolled flag together, leaving it in this shape until you are ready for the disbanding ceremony.
During the disbandment ceremony, the ties will be untied and the flag will open by itself
Method 4 of 4: Method Four: Folding the Australian Flag
Step 1. Hold the flag firmly
One person must hold the edge of the flag while the second person must hold the free side of the flag.
- The top and bottom do not need to be held.
- The bottom for attaching the flag cord, or chain, should be facing up. The flag string should hang down.
- The face of the flag must be held perpendicular to the ground.
Step 2. Fold the flag over the length
Bring the lower end up so that it meets the top end.
- The total width of the flag must be halved.
- The red and white "Union Jack" must face outward.
Step 3. Make a fold in the long part again
Bring the newly folded bottom up to meet the top end.
- The total width should be made to a quarter.
- The "Union Jack" should now be hidden under the fold.
Step 4. Bring the sides together
Fold the closest side of the flag string up, making it meet the side of the flag string on the flag.
Make sure the sides are in a straight line
Step 5. Make an "accordion" fold along the length
Fold the small square of the newly folded section back so that it lies flush with the flag. Hold this new two-ply square and fold it forward, bringing it flat on the other side of the flag again
Continue folding back and forth toward the ends of the flag halves, until the entire flag is folded into an accordion fold
Step 6. Tie the bundled flags with the attached flag string
Wrap the string around the flag and fold it under itself to keep the flag tied and secure.
