Flag terminology and flag protocols - a quick guide
HomePROPORTIONS: When different national flags are flown side by side the standard practice is for the proportions to be adjusted to suit the flag of the host country. The official proportions of the Union Jack are 2:1, for example 6ft by 3ft.
All of our polyester flags are 5ft x 3ft, which though not to the official proportions, means any combination of national flags can be flown together without any flag 'dominating' the others.
PLACEMENT: Where several national flags are flown together the home national flag should be flown from the tallest of a group of flagpoles.
If the flagpoles are all of the same height then the home national flag should be flown from the leftmost flagpole, as viewed facing the building. The other national flags then normally follow in alphabetical order from left to right.
AT NIGHT: Flags should be lowered at night unless there are exceptional reasons for this.
TERMINOLOGY: See below for the most common fomal flag terms.
Parts
Of The Flag
|
Types of
Flag
|
|
 |
 |
|
| Saltire | Cross | |
|
The Hoist is the part of the flag nearest to the
staff or flag pole.
|
 |
 |
|
The Fly is the part of the flag furthest from the
staff.
|
Scandinavian Cross | Quartered |
|
The Field is the background colour of the flag.
|
 |
 |
|
The Canton any quarter of the flag but commonly
means the left upper corner.
|
Tricolour | Bicolour |
|
The Charge is an emblem or design added to the basic
flag.
|
 |
 |
| Couped Cross | Triangle | |
