by Molly Erickson

Created on: June 04, 2010

At its core, a flag is nothing more than a colorful piece of fabric used to symbolize something. They are the symbols of countries, states and organizations. They are used for signaling in situations where speech is not a good option. They are symbols of fandom for a particular sports team. Decorative flags hang from porches and car antennae. It would seem that a simple piece of colored fabric is more than meets the eye.

A national flag is often a symbol of patriotism and pride. In America, when we pledge allegiance to our flag, we are not doing so to the piece of cloth. We are pledging allegiance to what the flag symbolizes: The United States of America. Our national anthem tells a story of a soldier fighting a battle, inspired by looking up and seeing the Unites States flag illuminated by rocket fire and artillery, still intact amidst the destruction.  It is customary in many countries to salute the flag or place a hand over one's heart and face the flag while a national anthem is playing. When raised in war, they are seen by the winning faction as a sign of dominance and victory.

To the losing side of a battle or war, the flag of the opposition can be a symbol of oppression and defeat. To have the flag of your enemy flown in the place where your own symbol of patriotism once flew is an act of dominance, meant to cause a negative emotional response. Flags are strong symbols of power, especially when flown to show that one group is now in control of another.  This also comes into play in the everyday display of flags in the United States. When displayed with other flags, the American flag must always be raised before any other flag, lowered after every other flag, must be the largest of the flags, and must be raised higher than all others. There only time the flag can be flown below other flags is when it is used as a symbol of mourning.

To signify a mourning period, the American flag is first raised to the top of the pole for a moment, to symbolize that we remain strong as a country, then lowered to half staff for a period of time designated by state governors or the President as a symbol that we have lost a great piece of our nation. After the funeral of a deceased member of the military, a flag is folded and presented to the decedents family as a symbol of gratitude. Similarly, the flag can also be used as a distress call. Displaying it upside down symbolizes that there is something wrong and help is required.

American astronauts raised our flag

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