# United Nations and non-US flags... **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 14, 2001, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-nations-and-non-us-flags/81625 "2001-09-14T16:39:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Alzarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@Alzarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alzarian)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2001, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-nations-and-non-us-flags/81625/1 "2001-09-14T16:39:17Z")
When the decision is made to lower the American flag at half-staff, do the remaining flags of other countries remain at full-staff? Wouldn’t this result in foreign flags flying higher than the US one during these times of crisis? In regards to the tragedy this week. Surely the US flag would be lowered, but what about other countries? Are they consulted as to whether or not they wish to have their flags lowered to half-staff as well? Basically, what’s happening at the United Nations now? Are most flags at half-staff? Are any flags at full-staff? (Such as Afghanistan?) Just how does this flag thing work? ---
**Author:** ![Floater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dc4da7/32.png) [@Floater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floater)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2001, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-nations-and-non-us-flags/81625/2 "2001-09-14T16:49:39Z")
I cannot answer the OP, but here in Sweden the flags on/at official buildings have been at half-staff all this week (don’t know when we will end, though). ---
**Author:** ![half\_a\_person](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8797f3/32.png) [@half\_a\_person](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/half_a_person)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2001, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-nations-and-non-us-flags/81625/3 "2001-09-14T16:58:37Z")
here’s a link to the U.S. flag code section of the Statutes of the United States. It says, in short, that no foreign flag be displayed at a higher level than an adjacent U.S. flag on U.S. soil: [http://www.sar.org/colors/Flag-Act.htm](http://www.sar.org/colors/Flag-Act.htm) The Hospital across the street from me displays the 3 North AMerican flags. All are at half-staff this week. - michael ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2001, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-nations-and-non-us-flags/81625/4 "2001-09-14T17:02:12Z")
This is from a site for [Flag Rules and Regulations](http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html) > [@](#): > > 1. When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be of approximately equal size. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace. and later… > [@](#): > > Sec. 8. > Any rule or custom pertaining to the display of the flag of the United States of America, set forth herein, may be altered, modified, or repealed, or additional rules with respect thereto may be prescribed, by the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States, whenever he deems it to be appropriate or desirable; and any such alteration or additional rule shall be set forth in a proclamation. > > No person shall display the flag of the United Nations or any other national or international flag equal, above, or in a position of superior prominence or honor to, or in place of, the flag of the United States at any place within the United States or any Territory or possession thereof; Provided, That nothing in this section shall make unlawful the continuance of the practice heretofore followed of displaying the flag of the United Nations in a position of superior prominence or honor, and other national flags in positions of equal prominence or honor, with that of the flag of the United States at the headquarters of the United Nations. This inference is that if the flag is lowered at the UN then ALL flags would be lowered at the UN, but this is not specifically addressed. ---
**Author:** ![Dreaming\_of\_Maria\_Callas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f14d63/32.png) [@Dreaming\_of\_Maria\_Callas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dreaming_of_Maria_Callas)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2001, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-nations-and-non-us-flags/81625/5 "2001-09-14T18:30:57Z")
But the UN building is not U.S. soil, so why would the US regulations matter? Besides, aren’t those “Flag Rules and Regulations” not enforceable by law but sort of like suggestions? UnuMondo ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2001, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-nations-and-non-us-flags/81625/6 "2001-09-14T19:12:20Z")
The first paragraph which I quoted implies that there is some sort of international protocols which are observed, such that no flag of a nation should be flown above or below others. My guess would be that at the UN either all flags are now flown as normal or all flags are flown at half mast. I have checked the United Nations web site but could only find that they are ringing the “peace bell” and expressing solidarity with one of their host countries. Would be interested to get the reality. ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2001, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-nations-and-non-us-flags/81625/7 "2001-09-14T19:13:58Z")
I haven’t heard that the UN has ordered all of its member nation’s flags flown at half-staff. I believe the flags are only flown when the UN is in session. That seems to be the case now. The interesting thing is that they are arranged in English alphabetical order, which puts Afghanistan’s flag first. The flags of Israel, Iraq and Iran are all very close to one another. According to the UN’s website, Afghanistan is still a member of the UN, however it doesn’t seem to have a permanent mission at the UN now. ---
**Author:** ![capacitor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e47774/32.png) [@capacitor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capacitor)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2001, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-nations-and-non-us-flags/81625/8 "2001-09-14T21:58:27Z")
UnoMondo, Sec 4 of the Flags Rs and Rs–traditionally no American is to dip the flag to any head of state or any other person, nor in deference to another flag by putting the American flag lower than it. This probably started when the US flagbearer in the 1908 Olympics snubbed King Edward VII and refused to dip the flag, or earlier during the Civil War when the Union soliers demanded for the flag. And every nation knows that and for the most part respect this protocol. So in any international area, the US flag is at least equal to the others, lest the US contingent sees the disgrace and leaves in a huff. ---
**Author:** ![Glenoled\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ebca7d/32.png) [@Glenoled\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glenoled_Again)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2001, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-nations-and-non-us-flags/81625/9 "2001-09-14T22:14:23Z")
I’m not sure, but I’m assuming this is done as a sign of respect… all over town, here (I live in Moncton, NB, Canada), all easily accessible flags, regardless of what the flag represents, have been lowered to half-staff. And, keep in mind that there are no American flags flying here (that I’ve seen anyways), except one flying at the local Rodd’s Bark House Inn… don’t know if it’s a US-owned company, or if they put it up as a tribute to the Americans. I think it’s a matter of, Canada is an ally to the Americans, so our flags go down too. Glenoled, Again ---
**Author:** ![TheBori](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ee7513/32.png) [@TheBori](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheBori)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2001, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-nations-and-non-us-flags/81625/10 "2001-09-15T00:35:06Z")
The company for whom I work flys the flags of the other countries in which we have corporate locations (the top 50 anyway). I received a corporate e-mail today that explained that in order to fly the US flag at half mast we would have to lower the other flags as well. It would take the permission of the other governments to post their flags anywhere but at the top of the staff. As a result the good folks at corprorate removed all of the international flags, thus allowing them to fly the Stars and Stripes at half mast. “The Land of the Free, and the Home of the Brave” Truer words were never said. ---
**Author:** ![Tenebras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@Tenebras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenebras)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2001, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-nations-and-non-us-flags/81625/11 "2001-09-15T00:46:59Z")
From section 8: > [@](#): > > No person shall display the flag of the United Nations or any other national or international flag equal, above, or in a position of superior prominence or honor to, or in place of, the flag of the United States at any place within the United States or any Territory or possession thereof; What about at the Olympics when they do the three flags in descending order, how does that work? Tenebras ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2001, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-nations-and-non-us-flags/81625/12 "2001-09-15T01:38:45Z")
Well, I walked by and no flags are flying on the poles at all. (I think they only fly then when UN is in session) ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2001, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-nations-and-non-us-flags/81625/13 "2001-09-15T05:27:00Z")
I believe that the UN never posts flags at half-staff, because of difficulties that would cause for particular member states. For example, the Saudi flag contains a key passage from the Koran, in Arabic ("I think it’s the phrase ‘There is no God but Allah.’) Because of the holiness of the phrase, the Saudis never fly the flag at half-mast. The UN can’t leave one flag all the way up while the others are at half-mast, because of the symbolism. ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2001, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-nations-and-non-us-flags/81625/14 "2001-09-15T10:52:37Z")
Flags are at half mast in Australia. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2001, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-nations-and-non-us-flags/81625/15 "2001-09-15T12:46:19Z")
Here’s what I was thinking of in my previous post: > [@](#): > > The script in the centre of the flag is the Islamic creed, “There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is the Prophet of Allah”. The flag is therefore considered sacred and special protocol rules apply: the flag does not dip in salute, nor is it ever flown at half-mast. (from the [World Flags Database](http://www.flags.net/SAAR.htm)) ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2001, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-nations-and-non-us-flags/81625/16 "2001-09-15T13:16:47Z")
The Rockerfeller Center is only flying the US flag at half-staff. The rest are gone. I think the UN is flying all flags at half-staff.