Let’s have a look at the theories that surround the flag: fringe on the flag, the finial, and the flag’s size.
To Fringe or Not to Fringe, That is the Question
According to the US Army, fringe is an honorable enrichment only, not an integral part of the flag. As it is attached on the edge, it does not “deface” the flag which therefore remains the Stars and Stripes of the US. Originally, fringe was used to create a static charge that actually helped keep the flag clean. See also: All …