Glossary of Vexillology - Techniques in Flag Display

Techniques in Flag Display

  • Hoist – the act or function of raising a flag, as on a rope.
  • Lower – the act or function of taking down a flag, as on a rope.
  • Half Staff or Half Mast – a style of flag display where the flag is flown at the width of the flag from the top. Usually this is done by first hoisting the flag to the top, then lowering it the width of the flag. Similarly, when lowering a half-mast flag, you raise it to full height and then lower it.(Equally valid 'half-masting' is flying the flag at two-thirds of its normal height. This is especially applicable where the full height of the pole is not visible to most observers; for instance, where the pole is mounted on the roof of a building and the lower portion of the pole is not visible from street level.) This usually denotes distress or a show of grief, such as mourning a death. The use of 'mast' suggests naval use but typically the two terms are interchangeable.
  • Distress – flying the flag upside-down, or tying it into a wheft.

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