This design was adopted on November 4, 1875, under King George Tupou I, symbolizing the Christian faith that is integral to the Tongan way of life.

The most prominent cross represents the cross of St. George of Cappadocia, a Christian martyr and patron saint of Georgia. The four smaller crosses, known as Bolnisi crosses, are placed in the four quadrants created by the large cross. They represent the four gospels of the New Testament.

The flag symbolizes Austria's historical heritage and national unity. The version with the black eagle, which is Austria's coat of arms, represents the federal state and is used by government authorities.

While proclamations for this gesture apply to government properties only, anyone who displays the flag at home can choose to follow suit. Find out more about flying flags at half-mast—and avoid any potential gaffes—in this guide.

The flag's white and red colors have historical significance and are deeply ingrained in Polish culture. The color white symbolizes peace, purity and the nation's aspiration for these values, while the red color represents bravery, sacrifice and the spirit of the Polish people in the face of adversity.

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A: Flagpoles are tall, proud monuments, raising our U.S. flag as high as they can reach for all to see. For this reason, it can be strange to see a flag flying halfway up a flagpole. This act, known as flying the flag at half-mast or half-staff, is used to symbolize periods where the nation is in mourning. It can be the result of the death of a government member, an act of terrorism, or in recognition of those who have given their lives for the nation.

The flag's design has been associated with Japan for centuries, and its origins can be traced back to the country's feudal era. Over time, it became more widely used and was officially adopted as the national flag in 1870 during the Meiji Restoration, marking the beginning of modern Japan.

The Canadian flag, often called the "Maple Leaf," is a powerful national symbol representing the essence of the North American country.

The flag of Singapore, known simply as the "National Flag," features a red field with a white horizontal crescent moon and a circle of five white stars in the top left corner.

The flag's adoption on October 29, 1923, marked the formal establishment of the symbols as part of the identity of the new republic.

The national flag of Tonga, also known as "Tonga Tautahi," boasts a bold red field with a white canton in the upper left corner. Within this canton lies a red Greek cross that is central but does not reach the edges, creating a striking contrast.

Peace Officers Memorial Day: May 15 of each year, remembering police officers who have died or been disabled in the line of duty.

This symbolic gesture allows the citizens of this nation to show respect to those we’ve lost, whether from natural causes, military action, or tragedy. At sunset, if your pole is not lit, be sure to briskly raise the flag to the full-staff position before ceremoniously lowering it for the day.

Indonesia's flag, known as the "Merah Putih" ("red and white") symbolizes the country's struggle for independence and its national identity. It consists of two equal horizontal bands: a red upper stripe and a white lower stripe. The red stripe represents courage and valor, while the white stripe represents purity and peace.

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Countries with red and white flags weave a common thread through the tapestry of global emblems, each banner fluttering with its own story. These colors often symbolize historical sacrifice and purity, with nations like Indonesia and Monaco sharing nearly identical ensigns.

The red circle represents the sun, which holds significant cultural and historical importance in Japan. It symbolizes the Land of the Rising Sun, a translation of the country's name, Nihon (日本).

The star and crescent are symbols with a deep history, used long before the Ottoman Empire and the establishment of the Turkish Republic. These symbols began appearing on Ottoman flags in the second half of the 18th century as part of wide-ranging reforms that aimed to modernize the Ottoman state along European lines.

In the case of local officials determining that flags should be flown at half-mast, it only applies to buildings within their jurisdiction. So if a state governor directs that flags should be flown at half-mast in recognition of the loss of a local official, only flags within that state need to be flown at half-mast.

The flag of Denmark, known as the Dannebrog, is among the oldest national flags still in use, recognizable by its red field and white Scandinavian cross that reaches the edges. The legend of its descent from the sky during the Battle of Lindanise in 1219, symbolizing divine favor, is an enduring part of Danish lore.

The flag of Japan, known as the "Nisshōki" or "Hinomaru" colloquially, has a simple yet iconic design. It features a white rectangular field with a centered red circle.

There are other reasons for flags to be flown at half-mast, and this is up to the president and other heads of governments to decide. Reasons could include the death of other officials, former officials, or foreign dignitaries. They could also be flown at half-staff to mark other tragic events.

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Decades later, the red and white flag would play a significant role during the Arab Spring uprising in 2010-2011. Protesters prominently displayed the flag as a symbol of their demand for political change and social justice, making it an emblem of the revolution.

Known as the "Turkish flag" or "Ay Yıldız" (Moon Star), Türkiye's flag consists of a white crescent moon and a star on a red background. The red field signifies the bloodshed of those who fought for Turkish independence, while the white crescent moon and star represent Turkish national identity and history.

The flag of Austria, known for its iconic red-white-red triband design, is steeped in origins that trace back to the 13th century and the House of Babenberg.

The red of the flag represents the blood of Christ, reflecting the country's devotion and deep-rooted religious values, while the white stands for purity. The flag's enduring design is a point of national pride and an emblem of the Kingdom of Tonga's sovereignty and identity.

Until 1954, there were no guidelines or regulations on when, for whom, and for how long the flags should be flown at half-mast. It was then that President Eisenhower put the following guidelines into effect, stating how long the flag should be flown at half-mast and for whom:

In the study of flags, known as vexillology, every term paints a part of the picture. The hoist refers to the side where the flag is fixed to the pole, and the fly is the fluttering end opposite it. The field is the flag's backdrop, which often bears a central emblem, symbol or design known as a charge. The canton is a special section near the hoist, reserved for significant icons. For example, the flag of the United States features a canton, known as the "Union," which is the blue rectangle in the top left corner that contains the 50 stars representing the 50 states. And finally, fimbriation is a narrow border or edging of contrasting color between larger areas of different colors. It's used to separate colors that would clash or not stand out if they were adjacent, ensuring that each element is distinctly visible even from a distance.

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Flags may be flown at half-staff any time the nation is grieving. This can be caused by the death of a president or former president, vice president or former vice president, the chief justice or retired chief justice of the United States, a member of the Cabinet, the president pro tempore of the Senate, the majority or minority leader of the Senate, the majority or minority leader of the House of Representatives.

Poland's flag, known as "Biało-Czerwona," features two horizontal stripes: a white upper stripe and a red lower stripe. This simple yet powerful design has symbolized Polish identity and nationhood for centuries.

The colors and design of the flag are believed to have been inspired by the flag of the Majapahit Empire, a powerful and influential kingdom in Indonesian history. The flag was officially adopted on August 17, 1945, coinciding with the country's declaration of independence from Dutch colonial rule.

The white cross on the red background is believed to represent Christianity and the spread of the Christian faith throughout Denmark. Some interpretations also associate the flag's design with the courage and sacrifice of the Danish people in their historical struggles.

The flag of Georgia, a country in the South Caucasus region, consists of a white background with five red crosses, symbolizing the Christian heritage and history of the nation. This design, known as the "Five-Cross Flag," has deep historical and religious significance.

Tunisia adopted this design when it declared independence from French colonial rule on March 20, 1956, and it was retained when the country became a republic on July 25, 1957.

There are certain days of the year where it is customary to fly national flags at half-staff. These are days of remembrance that mark the anniversaries of terrorist attacks, honor fallen service members, and more.

Memorial Day: The last Monday in May, remembering our nation’s battle heroes (but only for half the day—it should be raised at noon).

The flag of Tunisia, also known as "Ala-l-Husn," prominently displays a red field symbolizing the bloodshed for independence. At the center lies a white circle, representing peace, which encases a red crescent and star — symbols reflecting Tunisia’s Islamic heritage and majority Muslim population. These elements underscore Tunisia’s historical connections to the Arab and Islamic worlds.

Fire Prevention Week: Typically the week in which October 9 falls, remembering the nation’s firefighters who have died or been disabled in the line of duty.

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Should citizens decide to fly flags at half-mast, there is a procedure to follow. It’s relatively simple, but honoring the nation, its flag, and the mourned should be done per the following process outlined in the U.S. Flag Code:

The flag was unveiled on December 3, 1959, and officially adopted when Singapore gained independence in 1965. This flag, replacing the British Union Jack, marked a new era of self-determination and pride for the nation​.

The Swiss flag dates back to the late 13th century, and its design has also inspired the creation of the Red Cross emblem, a globally recognized symbol of humanitarian aid and medical care.

The red symbolizes universal brotherhood and equality, the white represents purity and virtue, the crescent moon signifies a young nation on the ascent, and the five stars stand for the country's ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality.

The flag of Switzerland, known as the "Swiss flag" or "Schweizer Fahne," is a simple and iconic design featuring a white cross on a red background. This striking and highly recognizable flag symbolizes Switzerland's national identity, neutrality and historical commitment to peace.

It has endured through Poland's tumultuous history, including periods of partition and foreign occupation, making it a powerful symbol of Polish identity and resilience.

While there are some conflicting opinions, the U.S. Flag Code does not exclude private citizens and businesses from flying their flags at half-mast to honor other local leaders. However, it’s important to note that while it is okay for these private citizens to fly their flags at half-mast, it is largely not believed that mayors and county executives have the right to order it. The citizen has the right to choose whether or not they fly the flag at half-mast for the death of a local official.

The flag's design dates back to the medieval period and has evolved over time, culminating in its modern form. The Polish flag was officially adopted on August 1, 1919, but it has been in use for centuries.

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For flags that aren’t on flagpoles but are attached to wall-mounted brackets, there are usually two positions: 45 degrees and 90 degrees. To fly these flags at half-staff, simply remove the flag from the 45-degree position and reinsert it into the 90-degree position.

An American flag can also be flown at half-mast for the death of a military member or first responder. These are often local mandates issued by state officials, or suggestions by local governments.

These striking flags, from the deep crimson of Turkey's star and crescent to the intricate maple leaf of Canada, symbolize a spectrum of histories and hopes, courage and peace.

Another option is to hang a black streamer or ribbon from the end of the flagpole. And when a flag is showing wear and tear, remember there are specific rules for disposing of flags, too.

The current flag, adopted in 1965, replaced the "Red Ensign" designs featuring the Union Jack. The adoption of this red and white national flag marked a significant moment in Canadian history, representing the nation's growing sense of identity and independence from British colonial ties.

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The Dannebrog's distinctive design has inspired the creation of several other flags, including those of other Nordic countries like Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland.

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day: December 7, in memory of those who died in the surprise attacks on Pearl Harbor in 1941.

Its design consists of a bold, red maple leaf placed in the center of a white field, with two vertical red bands on the hoist side (closest to the pole) and fly side. The red maple leaf is a quintessential emblem of Canada, signifying the country's natural beauty and its people's enduring spirit.

Yet, each country infuses its flag with distinct significance; Poland's emblem harkens back to its medieval roots, while Canada's maple leaf stands as a symbol of its natural beauty and strength. Such flags reflect not just a nation's identity but also its values, aspirations and the historical paths trodden by its people.

The white background symbolizes purity, and the red crosses represent Christ's blood and the Georgian people's courage. This flag design, adopted in the present form in 2004, draws upon historical flags and religious symbols important to the Georgian nation.

Traditionally, the flag's colors don't have an official interpretation, but the red and white have been associated with the Duchy since Duke Leopold V's tunic became bloodstained after a battle, leaving a white stripe where his belt had been.