How to Treat a Flag: A Guide for the Properly Patriotic

by Christopher O'Keeffe June 05, 2025

There are few things in life that can stir the soul quite like a flag. A scrap of fabric? Perhaps. But oh, what a scrap. Sewn into its seams are histories and hopes, victories and vigils, protests and pride. Flags are not merely identifiers of nations or movements; they are exclamations of identity.

Which is why, dear reader, it pains me to say: too often, they’re treated with the sort of care one might reserve for a forgotten beach towel.

This guide, then, is not simply a treatise on fabric etiquette. It is an act of reverence. A small, civilised manifesto for those who still believe that certain things—however humble—deserve to be treated with dignity. Whether you’re flying the Southern Cross, the black and red of Harold Thomas’s Aboriginal Flag, or the dazzling green and blue of the Torres Strait Islander Flag, the principles are the same.

Let us begin.

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I. A Banner Raised in Honour, Not Haste

Let’s start with the act itself: hoisting the flag. This is no place for a shrug or a lazy knot. A flag should be raised briskly, like a toast, and lowered slowly, like a farewell.

In ceremonial contexts, the speed with which a flag is raised or lowered is rich with meaning. Up it goes to the stirring sound of a trumpet or the crescendo of morning birdsong; down it comes with the softness of twilight or in reverent silence.

If you’re flying multiple flags—say, on school grounds or at an official event—there’s an established pecking order. The Australian National Flag is always to the left (from the observer’s viewpoint) or in the superior position if flags are at varying heights. But in many contexts—particularly during NAIDOC Week, National Reconciliation Week, or Mabo Day—the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags should be flown equally, side by side, because this is not about hierarchy but harmony.

And remember: if the flag is to be flown at half-mast, it must first be raised to the top, and then gently lowered to the two-thirds position. The visual impact of that empty space above is powerful—and deliberate.

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II. The Ground is No Place for a Flag

This, you would think, goes without saying. And yet.

Time and again one sees the noble banner cast to the earth—dropped in school halls, dragged at dawn services, abandoned post-rally like a discarded placard. It’s more than careless; it’s crass.

A flag should never touch the ground. Not during folding, not during carrying, and certainly not while being stored. It is a symbol, not a picnic rug. When transporting a flag, fold or roll it with care, place it in a clean, dry case or storage tube, and store it somewhere elevated, dry, and protected from light and moisture.

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III. Fly It Clean and Mended, or Not at All

A flag in tatters is a heartbreaking sight. Frayed edges, sun-bleached stripes, a canton torn in the wind like a dog-eared paperback. No—if your flag has seen better days, it’s time for a dignified retirement.

Regular inspection is not optional. Look for signs of:

• Fraying along the hem or fly end

• Fading or discolouration (especially red sections, which fade first)

• Tears from flapping in high winds

• Mould or mildew from damp storage

Once your flag has passed the point of restoration, don’t bin it. Retire it with respect. While there is no set ritual in Australian law, a traditional method involves burning the flag privately and respectfully, or burying it in a dignified manner.

Much like a soldier’s uniform or a well-loved suit, a flag deserves to go out not in shame, but with pride.

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IV. Washing with Respect, Drying with Grace

Yes, you may wash a flag. No, not like a sock.

Flags should be gently hand-washed in cold or lukewarm water using a mild detergent. Avoid anything with bleach or optical brighteners. Rinse thoroughly, then allow it to air dry, either flat or hung on a clean, dry line. Avoid wringing, twisting, or using a tumble dryer unless the manufacturer specifically says it’s safe.

If you’re drying outdoors, be wary of direct sunlight which can hasten fading. Ironing is optional—if you do, use a low heat setting and place a cloth between iron and fabric.

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V. The Etiquette of Indoor Display

Ah, the stately dignity of an indoor flag. Hung in libraries, courtrooms, classrooms and foyers—flags indoors carry the same gravitas as a grandfather clock or a framed proclamation.

If you're displaying your flag horizontally on a wall, the canton (that’s the top left rectangle with the stars or symbol) must appear in the top left from the viewer’s perspective.

If you're hanging it vertically, the canton must remain on the observer’s left, even though the flag is rotated. Think of it like a book spine—always on the left.

Never drape a flag over chairs, tables, speaker podiums or musical instruments. And certainly never use it as a curtain. It is a flag, not an accessory.

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VI. Flagpoles, Halyards, and Hardware

Now for the mechanics. A flag flown on a proper pole is a joy to behold—but like any instrument, it requires upkeep.

Flagpoles should be:

• Tall enough that the flag doesn’t catch on bushes, fences or low eaves

• Made of a material suited to your environment (aluminium for coastal areas, powder-coated steel inland)

• Anchored securely, because nothing says “national embarrassment” like a pole collapsing in a gust of wind

The halyard (the rope used to raise and lower the flag) should be strong, UV-resistant, and well-secured. Check pulleys and cleats regularly. A squeaky pulley is a small sound that brings disproportionate shame.

If your pole has a truck (the finial or ornament at the top), consider a decorative flourish—an orb, eagle or sphere. These are not just embellishments; they’re traditional. They whisper of stately tradition and architectural grace.

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VII. Weather Matters

A flag may be proud, but it is not invincible. Wind is its lifeblood—but too much and it becomes a savage dance partner.

Flags should not be flown in:

• High winds (above 50km/h)

• Heavy rain

• Hail

• Lightning

Why? Because these conditions damage the fabric, tangle halyards, and risk tearing the flag from its mount. If a storm is forecast, bring the flag in and let it rest in safety.

Likewise, never fly a wet flag. It will sag, it may tear, and the dyes might run. Let it dry naturally, then resume its post.

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VIII. Flying Times and Lighting

By custom, flags should be raised at first light and lowered at sunset. If you choose to fly a flag at night, it must be illuminated. Not a half-hearted porch light or a flickering floodlamp, but a steady, respectful spotlight that lets the flag be seen.

Failure to do so suggests neglect. And a neglected flag says more about you than it does about your politics.

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IX. No Improvisations, Please

Let us be absolutely clear: the flag is not a cape. Nor is it a blanket, a beach towel, a picnic mat, a dress, a dog bandana or a beer stubby holder.

To wear the flag is to co-opt a symbol that belongs to all. While patriotic fervour has its place (and many an Olympian has donned a flag in victory), the safest rule is this: Don’t wear it. Fly it.

Buy a t-shirt with a print. Get a lapel pin. Knit yourself a flag-themed scarf. But leave the real thing to fly freely, not to be tucked into belt loops or draped around sunburnt shoulders.

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X. Know What You’re Flying

Australia is lucky to have not one, but three official flags: the Australian National Flag, the Aboriginal Flag, and the Torres Strait Islander Flag. Each has its own story, its own significance, and its own etiquette.

The Australian Flag

With the Union Jack in the corner, the Commonwealth Star below it, and the Southern Cross proudly shining on the fly—this is the flag most recognised overseas. But even here, it’s often misunderstood. That big seven-pointed star? It represents the six states and all territories.

The Aboriginal Flag

Designed by Harold Thomas, a Luritja artist and activist, in 1971. Black for the people, red for the earth, and a golden sun in the centre for life itself. It became an official flag in 1995 and was freed for public use in 2022.

The Torres Strait Islander Flag

Created by Bernard Namok, this flag symbolises the culture and identity of the Torres Strait Island peoples. The green panels represent the land, blue for the sea, black for the people. At its heart: a Dhari (headdress), under a five-pointed star—each point marking one of the five island groups.

Progress Pride, Rainbow, and Other Flags

Increasingly, flags of diversity and advocacy are flown with the same dignity as national banners. The Progress Pride Flag, for example, should be treated with equal respect: raised correctly, kept clean, and never altered.

Whatever flag you fly, take the time to learn its story. Knowing what it represents is half the honour in flying it.

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XI. The Right Days to Raise It

There are calendar dates when flying a flag becomes a civic duty:

• 26 January – Australia Day (complex, contested, but widely observed)

• 13 February – National Apology Day

• 21 March – Harmony Day

• 25 April – ANZAC Day

• 27 May – 3 June – National Reconciliation Week

• 3 June – Mabo Day

• First full week of July – NAIDOC Week

• 9 July – Torres Strait Flag Day

Mark them in your calendar. And when you raise the flag, do so not out of obligation, but with a sense of the stories you're helping to keep alive.

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XII. Retiring a Flag – A Farewell Worthy of Song

Eventually, even the finest flag frays. Retirement is not failure—it is the natural end to a life lived in service.

So what do you do?

• Fold it neatly.

• Burn it in a private, solemn ceremony.

• Or bury it with care in clean cloth.

Some communities hold flag retirement ceremonies, often led by Scouts or Veterans’ groups. If you have such an opportunity, take part. There is grace in giving things a proper goodbye.

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In Closing: Fly With Pride

To treat a flag well is to honour more than just colour and cloth. It is to respect those who walked before us, those who carry the banner now, and those still to come.

So fly it clean, fly it straight, and fly it high—not because you have to, but because you choose to.

For in the end, a flag is not just flown.

It is lifted—by hands, by hearts, and by history.

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