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How To Hang A Flag On A Wall Easily And Properly

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In this post, we’re going to show you how to hang a flag on a wall easily and properly.

There are many ways to display your beautiful American flag indoors. But once you’ve decided to hang it on a wall, there are some tools, tips, and even rules to follow.

Let’s get started.

How to hang a flag on a wall PROPERLY (7 rules)

Before getting into the tips and tools, you need to learn the RULES of displaying the national flag.

These 7 rules are important and included in the US Flag Code.

Rule #1: The union part should be on the upper left corner of the flag.

The union part is the navy blue square featuring the 50 white stars. Whether you hang it vertically or horizontally, these stars aren’t allowed to be set at the bottom.

In fact, they represent the 50 states of our country, the United States. So you also want to put it on the left side of the flag for a prominent position.
how to hang a flag on a wall
The white stars are always on the upper left corner of the flag

Rule #2: Never let the American flag touch the ground.

Our national flag is the most sacred emblem of the county, so be respectful! Once you’ve decided to hang it on a wall, hang it in a high position.

In the next big section, we’re going to show you how to secure it well on the wall so that it couldn’t fall to the floor.

Rule #3: Do NOT hang any larger banner around the American flag.

Our national flag when displayed with any other flag in a row or column should be equal to or bigger than the rest.

For example, folks usually hang their state flag and the Old Glory in the same position. That could be OK, but the state flag should never be bigger than the Old Glory.

| Learn more: How to display the American flag with other flags

Rule #4: The American flag should be on the own right side of other flags (if any).

According to the US Flag Code, the left side (to the audience’s view) is always a prominent position.

Psychologically, humans tend to see things from the left to the right. That means the American flag is supposed to get in sight first when displayed with other flags in a row.

Place no flag on top of the American flag

Rule #5: Put the American flag on top of other flags (if any).

We’ve talked much enough about prominence so this rule absolutely makes sense.

Rule #6: Never hang the flag in darkness.

There’s nothing to worry about when you hang your flag in a room with enough light. Or, you can be confident with your flag hung on a porch wall during the daytime.

However, bear this rule in mind when your flag is in the darkness, especially during the nighttime.

Rule #7: Keep it looking good all the time

It’s irreverent to display a frayed, old, wrinkled, damaged Amerian flag.

Before you put it up, ensure it’s looking good.

Most flags are wrinkled whether even as a new bought or after washing.

If you didn’t know what could be a solution to this, read our post on how to get wrinkles out of a flag.

Hanging The Flag In A Fixed Manner

In a fixed manner, flags that come with grommets are those options that will leave no damage on the fabric.

Keep yours securely hung on the wall by using the grommets available on the side nearest the union part.

Then, put some pushpins or nails into the grommets.

This way is only applicable to vertical displaying because the grommets are often set to fly a flag from a flagpole.  

You could use more than one pushpin to put into each grommet to hang it more firmly on the wall.

It’s all up to you. However, avoid placing those pins into the stitching at its edges.

how to hang a flag without a pole
Hang the flag in a fixed manner using pushpins/thumbtacks

If you want to hang it horizontally, in like manner, use pushpins. But, there would be only one side that has the grommets.

That’s when you must place pushpins on the other side without any grommet to pierce.

Remember not to use nails to pierce the fabric itself, because that might cause disrespect and damage to it. 

How To Display A State Flag On A Wall

Hanging a state flag on the wall requires a keen eye. Most of the state flags of the U.S. are displayed horizontally.

The simple reason is that the image on each state symbolism is designed in a horizontal layout.

A few state banners won’t look odd if you display them vertically, though, it still doesn’t match the way it’s popularly represented by the citizens. 

For instance, the New Mexico flag is designed with a fairly basic image indicated on it. This icon, as you might think, could be rotated to any side.

That means it could be displayed whether vertically or horizontally without looking weird. 

new mexico flag
The New Mexico flag

The California flag is different. You can only hang it horizontally to show the Bear walking to its own right and not skyward.

Also, the horizontal flag hanging keeps the words completely legible. 

california flag
The California flag

Easy Ways To Hang Nautical Flags On A Wall

Nautical flags and pennants are a fun addition to your beach house decoration.

They’ll also brighten up a child’s room with white sailing decor and touches of a color that picks up a shade in the flags.

nautical pennants
Nautical flags can be hung like this on a wall
  • First, string semaphore or yacht pennants on hemp, twine, or monofilament.
  • Insert the string through the “sleeve” constructed for a dowel or rope.
  • Loop the ends over pushpins, nails, or hooks on the wall.
  • Stretch a raft of them across a full wall above a sofa.
  • Wrap them in lazy curves over the cradle in the nursery; or showcase them across a protected porch on an outer wall, well below the eaves.

Tips For Displaying Mini Souvenir Flags On A Wall

Mini souvenir flags can be nicely displayed on the wall by adhering them to a frame or thumb-tacked to a wall or a cork board.

The most conventional method is to adhere different souvenir flags to a slender rope and hang it as a lazy curve. 

First, remove all the sticks attached to the it. Use glue to stick them vertically to a thin rope.

Overall will look amazing if you position these flags to close together with no space in between.

Once you’ve finished and hung them on the wall in a naturally lowered curve by gravity, the flags will separate on their own at the bottom. Next, pierce two nails on the wall.

The distance between them is guaranteed to a reasonably shorter than the length of the rope. Tie both ends of the rope to the nails.

how to hang souvenir flags on wall
Mini souvenir flags can be hung like this on a wall

Another way for displaying the souvenir flags on the wall is to using thumbtacks. Here are some little tips for you if you want to know how to display a souvenir flag. 

  • Remove any waving display sticks.
  • If they should be even on the wall or board, use thumbtacks with wide tops and position them with a carpenter’s level.
  • Hold them up to the marks that indicate where the corners will go and insert a thumbtack into each corner, catching the the flag’s edge with the rim of the tack rather than its pointed tip.
  • The tack’s flat tip secures the material to the wall without damaging the fabric.

Wrapping it up

In a nutshell, how to hang a flag on a wall is straightforward once you do respect your flag and learn the simple tips we provide.

Whether it’s the American flag, state flags, or souvenir flags, you’ll find easy ways to display them in this post.

If you love decorating your home with flags, consider Flagwix. We’re a flag brand that celebrates everything that makes everyone beautifully unique.

We hope you’ve found this post helpful.

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