In its proclamation, the White House said her life as both first lady in Georgia and first lady of the United States “exemplified hope, warmth, and a steadfast commitment to doing all she could to address many of our society’s greatest needs.”

However, the United Kingdom and the rest of the English-speaking nations that once comprised the British Empire have had no qualms about bringing the term “half-mast” to dry land. The Associated Press Stylebook recommends “half-staff” in American usage, but a trip across the pond or even a trip across the Canadian border will find flags on land flying at “half-mast.” So, use the term “half-staff” at home in the States—unless, of course, you’re an inveterate Anglophile.

Unsure why the flag is at half-mast? Half-mast is used when the American flag is flown from a flagpole. Half mast means the flag is flown two thirds up between the top and bottom of the flagstaff. Ships mast or similar structure. It is traditionally employed to show respect for the passing of a prominent government official, military figure, or a national tragedy.

It’s a bit of a custom in the English language to assign certain words exclusively to maritime use. Anyone who’s ever been on a recreational boat knows that left and right become “port” and “starboard,” or that front and back become “stem” and “stern.” American English observes a distinction between land and sea when it comes to flying flags in mourning. In the United States, therefore, flags flown on land are not flown from masts, but from staffs.

If you want to show your patriotism in times of joy and sorrow alike, Federal Flags is your flagpole store, where you can fly your flag at half-staff—or, if you prefer, half-mast.

Days before her death, the former first lady had entered home hospice care — months after the nation’s 39th president also entered hospice care. In May, it was announced she was diagnosed with dementia.

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In loving memory of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter.The thoughts and prayers of the Biden-Harris Administration are with President Carter and the entire Carter family. pic.twitter.com/XsNbPY93dI

“It is fitting and proper to remember and honor Mrs. Rosalynn Carter’s life and dedicated service to citizens of the State of Georgia and the United States of America by lowering the flags throughout Georgia to half-staff,” Kemp’s executive order states.

The concept of lowering flags as a symbol of mourning or distress has its origins in naval customs. During periods of mourning, ships would lower their flags to leave room at the top for a “phantom flag” of sorts.

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - The American flag across the United States and the Georgia state flag will be flown at half-staff following the death of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter.

Whether you say “half-staff” on American soil or “half-mast” anywhere else, what matters more than the difference between half-mast and half-staff is that you follow proper protocol while flying your flag in mourning.

Ships would fly these flags from their masts, the tall beams that support a ship’s sails. Therefore, a flag that’s not raised to its full height is said to be at “half-mast.” As the custom made its way onto land, it retained its naval name—in most countries, that is.

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In another executive order, Kemp also directed “all resources of the state” to be available to “assist with the final farewell and internment” of the former first lady.

Remember that when you lower a flag to half-staff, you must first hoist it to the very top of the flagpole before lowering it. And this isn’t a decision you can make for yourself—only the President or a state governor can call for this observance.

To summarize, "half-staff" is the term used for flags on land, particularly in the United States. It is a term used to describe a flag that is raised halfway, between the top and bottom of the flagpole. When the American flag is flown at half-staff, it conveys a similar message of respect and mourning. This custom is most often observed following the death of a government official, military personnel, or in response to a significant national tragedy.

“She was a champion for equal rights and opportunities for women and girls; an advocate for mental health and wellness for all; and a supporter of the often unseen and uncompensated caregivers of our children, aging loved ones, and people with disabilities,” the proclamation states. “Above all, the deep love shared between Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter is the definition of partnership, and their humble leadership is the definition of patriotism.”

President Joe Biden issued a proclamation Tuesday for the U.S. flag to fly at half-staff as a “mark of respect for the memory” of the longtime companion of former President Jimmy Carter, the proclamation states.

The sight of the American flag flying at half-mast or half-staff is a solemn and widely recognized gesture that signifies mourning, respect, or remembrance. While these terms are often used interchangeably, they have distinct meanings and contexts in which they are employed.

On Memorial Day the flag should be flown at half-staff from sunrise until noon only, then raised briskly to the top of the staff until sunset, in honor of the nation’s battle heroes.

When the nation is in a state of mourning, we know it because the American flag is not hoisted to the very top of the flagpole where it usually belongs. But if you ask people what this is called, you’ll get dueling responses—some folks will tell you the flag is being flown at “half-mast,” while others will tell you it’s at “half-staff.” On the surface, people are telling you the same thing—namely, that the flag is flying half as high as it normally would. But in the United States, there’s a difference between half-mast and half-staff that you should be aware of.

A half-staff flag is most often observed following the death of a government official, military personnel, or in response to a significant national tragedy.

In conclusion, the terms "half-mast" and "half-staff" are closely related but have distinct meanings and applications. The key distinction is that half-mast is nautical in origin, while half-staff pertains to land-based flag displays in the United States.