Folding the Canadian flag?

[Pleater]

I was taught to fold a large flag first along the length accordion fashion getting both the attachments on the same edge, then smooth it into a strip and fold it, again accordion fashion, then wrap the folds around the reinforced edge and poke it into the storage hole with the attachments poking out over the edge - this was aboard a yacht so it was important to do it the same way every time.

My mother in law was sent the large one sided flag used at the funeral of her brother, to which she sewed extra loops and then hoisted it as a sun shade during all the following Summers she spent at the house. This might seem disrespectful, but she was actually very fond of it and kept it carefully - I have it now and do actually haul it out on the 4th of July to give it an airing and check that all is well with it.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Geoff Withnell]

I am going to throw this in, because I have seen it done incorrectly at so many Games and Renfairs. When flying the flags of more than one nation, they all go at the same level! In peacetime, the flag of one nation does not fly above the flag of another, at least according the the US Flag code. In the US, the Stars and Stripes would go to the flag's right, or centered in front, but NOT higher.

[CDNSushi]

Ask, and ye shall receive.

Process for the Ceremonial Folding of the National Flag of Canada

The Flag should be held taut in an outstretched manner. Although the preferred and easier way of folding the flag is done with 8 persons the same process can be accomplished with 6 persons should a formal Flag-folding ceremony required. The individuals face each other as illustrated.

Step 1: Persons 2, 4, 6 and 8 stand fast holding the flag taut. Persons 1, 3, 5 and 7 initiate the first movement by passing the sewn edge under to their facing colleagues. On the words of command PREPARE TO FOLD – FOLD persons 2 and 8 will slide their right and left hands respectively toward the centre outer edge of the flag, simultaneously sliding their left and right hand and grasping the corners of the flag. Persons 1, 3, 5 and 7 grasp the flag along the folded edge (what is normally the centre of the flag) ensuring the flag remains taut.

Step 2: The fold in step 1 is repeated, resulting in a quarter of the flag in full length (the tip of the maple leaf shall be facing up).

Step 3: On the words of command PREPARE TO FOLD – FOLD persons 7 and 8 bring their end forward in an upward motion to persons 5 and 6. This fold is done over the hands of the others. Persons 3, 4, 5 and 6 guide the flag and ensure it remains taut. Persons 7 and 8 step back and remain at attention in their original positions.

Step 4: On the words of command PREPARE TO FOLD – FOLD the fold in step 3 is repeated and persons 5 and 6 step back.

Step 5: On the words of command PREPARE TO FOLD – FOLD persons 3 and 4 fold the flag under holding it taut persons 3 and 4 step back.

Step 6: On the words of command PREPARE TO FOLD – FOLD persons 1 and 2 fold the flag over holding it taut, resulting in the final form ready for presentation.



Source: http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-.../index-eng.asp

Video of how it's done:

[Pleater]

I just checked with my husband and it was his great uncle, his grandmother's brother not his uncle as I thought I remembered. I think it must be the stars and stripes, it has just always been referred to as the 'stars and bars' - we do not have any present connection with the USA as the flag came to my husband's family as the great uncle did not marry.

So the number of stars is sort of like tree rings... I will count them next time I take the flag out of its box.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Spartan Tartan]

Anne, if the pattern is circular and that is an original flag (meaning, not a replica made recently), I imagine it would be rather old. It could be rather valuable as an antique. Just FYI.

Concentric circles (with no large center star) goes back to around 1870 and represented 37 states. That is a good ways back for our relative history given in 1877 it changed after adding another state. Pretty cool old flag you may have there.

[Peter Crowe]

I am going to throw this in, because I have seen it done incorrectly at so many Games and Renfairs. When flying the flags of more than one nation, they all go at the same level! In peacetime, the flag of one nation does not fly above the flag of another, at least according the the US Flag code. In the US, the Stars and Stripes would go to the flag's right, or centered in front, but NOT higher.

Thanks Geoff, that is a particular bugbear of mine, and when done is an insult to the other nation whose flag is being flown below 'Old Glory'.

[piperdbh]

What bothers me is for non-Royal-family people to display the Lion Rampant, as a flag, bumper sticker, t-shirt, etc,. My understanding was that it belongs to the Sovereign and is to be displayed only when she/he is present. Go to any American Games and you'll see vendors selling them right and left. At the Greenville (South Carolina) Games a few years ago, Prince Edward attended for part of Saturday. The vendors were asked to remove/cover their Lions Rampant while he was there, but as soon as he left they all came back out.

[TheOfficialBren]

- I have it now and do actually haul it out on the 4th of July to give it an airing and check that all is well with it.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

Anne, forgive me if this is too personal, and if so then, I apologise sincerely, but why on the 4th of July?

[David Thorpe]

Thanks, Colin. I had seen the diagram, but the video is very helpful (and moving).

[CDNSushi]

No worries. (But I'm not Colin).

Yes, the video is moving indeed.

For your purposes, since you stated that it was a formal thing, I think you could simply just adopt the technique without the ceremony, and it would be acceptable.