folding the flag
Military burial ritual
Folding the flag refers to the ceremonial method of folding the American flag into a tight triangle, performed with precise movements typically by two people.
The ritual appears at military funerals, flag retirement ceremonies, and when storing flags overnight: They folded the flag and presented it to the widow.
The triangular shape echoes the tricorn hats of Revolutionary War soldiers, and each of the thirteen folds carries symbolic meaning in military tradition.
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
- militaryArmed forces collectively
- honor guardMilitary tribute formation
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
- triangleThree-sided plane figure
stars · stripes · half staff · veteran · gold star mother · funeral · burial · laying to rest · fallen soldier · respect · solemn · crisp · creases · precision · white gloves · taps · salute · coffin
- military protocolsalute, attention, at ease, formation, chain of command