When I travel, I tend to notice flag displays and other ceremonial details that most people pass by without a second thought. At a recent stop for lunch with my wife, I came across the display shown in these photos—a three-flag arrangement on a two-halyard flagpole.
Let me be clear: this is not a “call-out.” I’m sharing this strictly for education. Whoever installed this display had the right intent. They were trying to show respect. However, the execution needs adjustment.
In the first photo, I’m standing on the intended direction of display—the side from which the arrangement is meant to be viewed. From that vantage point, you can see the American flag positioned to the viewer’s left, with the POW/MIA flag and the state flag to the right and lower. That general relationship—U.S. flag in the position of honor—is correct, but it can be refined.
In the upper image, the POW/MIA flag is flown directly beneath the American flag on the same halyard, but with unnecessary separation. When flags share a halyard, the lower flag can be attached directly to the bottom clip of the U.S. flag. This creates a cleaner, more controlled presentation and eliminates excess spacing.
The lower image demonstrates proper use of a two-halyard system. Even though a flagpole can be seen from all sides, every display has an intended direction. That direction determines left and right. In this case, the American flag belongs to the viewer’s left when facing the display from its primary viewing approach.
You’ll also notice appropriate vertical spacing between flags. For example, at United States Air Force installations, guidance requires enough separation so that when flags hang at rest, they do not touch. This is a practical and visual standard that improves the dignity of the display.
The Intended Direction of Display
Context matters. Location near a building or road
The intended direction of display, a term I coined, is not arbitrary—it is dictated by how people approach and experience the flags.
- At a building: The display projects outward from the structure. The intended viewing direction is from the approach to the entrance. As individuals walk toward the building, the American flag should be to their left.
- Near a roadway: The side of the pole closest to the road establishes the viewing front. The direction of travel does not matter—what matters is that the display faces the roadway. The American flag is placed to the viewer’s left from that roadside perspective.
Half-Staff
When the US flag is flown at half-staff, it should fly alone on its halyard. The Flag Code and military manuals state the US is brought to half-staff. The do not address multiple flags on one halyard and that means the US flies alone in this situation.
Congress, through 4 U.S.C. § 7(m), expressly gives the President the recognized authority to order the US flag to half-staff, particularly on federal property and for the persons and circumstances specified there. The President’s order is legally controlling over federal buildings, grounds, installations, embassies, naval vessels, and other federal property within the scope of the order.
A presidential proclamation commonly also requests or encourages state, local, and private participation, but those nonfederal entities are not necessarily under direct presidential command merely because the proclamation exists. Historical proclamations illustrate that distinction by using mandatory language for federal property and request language for governors and private citizens.
Also, 4 U.S.C. §7(m) gives a governor authority, in specified circumstances, to order the US flag to half-staff within that governor’s state—for example, upon the death of a present or former state official or a member of the Armed Forces from that state.
So these are two different actions:
- Governor orders only the state flag to half-staff: US flag remains at full staff; state flag is lowered.
- Governor issues an authorized half-staff order for the US flag: The US flag is lowered as directed, and subordinate flags normally follow the resulting mourning display.
Multi-Pole Arrangements (Arcs and Triangles)
When multiple in-ground flagpoles are used, hierarchy is established through position and height:
- Arc formation (multiple poles): The American flag occupies the center position and is raised on the highest staff. All other flags can step down in height symmetrically.
- Triangular formation (three poles of equal height): The American flag is placed at the apex—the point of the triangle facing the intended direction of display. Even when all poles are the same height, position alone establishes precedence.
Comments 12
We have a double-halyard staff at work. We have the US flag and then the department flag under it. We have nothing on the other halyard. If something should happen and we need to fly the TWL flag, can we fly that on the other halyard but a half-mass?
Author
Thank you for the question.
For the three flags you described, the proper visual hierarchy would be:
U.S. flag at full truck on the position-of-honor halyard, with the Thin White Line flag beneath it. Department flag at full truck on the second halyard. You can use this as a “special display” while your daily display remains what you currently have. This preserves the necessary daily and “special” precedence. The U.S. flag remains first by position, the department flag remains the senior organizational flag, and the Thin White Line flag, a novelty/symbolic affinity/memorial flag, is properly subordinate to both.
Placing the U.S. and Thin White Line flags at the same level while leaving the department flag beneath the U.S. would visually place the Thin White Line flag above the department flag in precedence, which would not be appropriate. With a double-halyard staff, I do not recommend flying any flag by itself at half-mast (yours is a land-based organization, so the proper terminology is half-staff) while the U.S. and department flags remain at full truck. That would be reserved for the state flag on orders from the Governor.
In short, use the second halyard, but maintain the hierarchy through position and attachment order rather than by lowering a flag below the truck.
FYI:
4 U.S.C. §7(m) gives a governor authority, in specified circumstances, to order the U.S. flag to half-staff within that governor’s state (for example, upon the death of a present or former state official or a member of the Armed Forces from that state).
So these are two different actions:
Governor orders only the state flag to half-staff:
U.S. flag remains at full staff; state flag is lowered.
Governor issues an authorized half-staff order for the U.S. flag:
The U.S. flag is lowered as directed, and subordinate flags follow the resulting mourning display when on separate poles. When other flags are on the same pole, all are removed and just the US is lowered to half.
Thanks for the info.
I recently put in two flagpoles on my property. Both will hold two flags. I’m planning to put the American flag at the top of one, and the Texas flag at the top of the other. Then I have a Christian Flag, and a Thin Blue Line flag that is basically an American flag but in black and white, with the blue line running across the middle beneath the star field and between the black and white stripes.
Does it matter than I’m planning to put the Christian flag beneath the US flag, and the Blue Line flag beneath the Texas flag? Is there a specific code for none US/State flags to be added? I hope to swap the bottom two out periodically with different flags, depending on seasons, holidays, etc.
Author
Your plan works just fine. You can have that setup for the TX below the US and Christian at the top of the other pole. Whatever you choose to do, you are on the right track.
Question: We are preparing to host a Dedication Ceremony for our new Public Safety Building, which features two flagpoles, each equipped with two halyards. Currently, we have an American flag and a Texas flag, and we plan to add a city flag in the future. Could you advise on the proper protocol for displaying these flags? Thank you.
Author
Since you have two new flagpoles (Pole 1 and Pole 2), it would be nice to use both and raise the American on Pole 1 (audience’s left) and state flag on Pole 2. In this situation, you should raise them on the same side of each pole (audience’s left, if possible). After the ceremony, you can leave them in their positions or move the state to under the US or on the other halyard (viewer’s right) of Pole 1. Once you get the city flag up, that would fly from Pole 2 on the viewer’s left. If you have a DPS flag, that can fly from Pole 2 (viewer’s right).
There are many options and you can even fly the POW under the US. If you do that, make sure the POW is about half the size of the US. That creates less stress on the pole, halyard, and pulleys.
I hope this is helpful, please let me know if you have further questions.
Except (according to the U.S. Flag Code; para 7g), Flags of 2 Nations cannot be on the same pole. Must be different poles of same height.
Author
Correct, and double-halyard staff are a more modern creation.
I’ve worked a few double halyard poles, but have never used the second halyard. My thought is to use it as a back-up if the main rope fails.
Author
That’s not what it’s for, but you can do that.
Oh, I know. But, it’s up to how the client wants to fly it. I’m ok with their decision, as long as it’s IAW the U.S. Flag Code.