Flags at Half Mast

A flag flown at half-mast is a sign of reverence, usually in honor of someone lost in a tragic situation. An American flag, when flown at half-mast, is flown just below the summit. Other countries only lower the flag one breadth, or the height of one flag of similar size.

The history of the practice

The practice of lowering the flag to half-staff is centuries old. The flag, typically flown at the top of the flag pole, is lowered because the flag of death symbolically flies above it. This shows respect for death, and the dead, by giving death prominence of national pride and demonstrating its power over all man. Over time, the practice has seen alteration, and the flag has since moved down to half-staff.

The appropriate time

The appropriate time to fly a flag at half-staff is assigned by the state or federal government. Governmental officials release an official edict telling what days and between what hours a flag should get flown at half-staff and in whose honor it is to get lowered. The death of a governmental official or of a large group of citizens, like in the occurrence of September 11th, results in a flag that remains at half-staff for an extended period of time. The death of a single citizen or soldier typically results in the flag's getting lowered for a single day: that of the individual's memorial service.

Flying a flag at half-staff is a sign of respect both for the power of death and for the person who was lost. It is important that the flag is flown appropriately and according to other flag flying codes.