Is lighting U.S. Flag required at night? The answer is a matter of interpretation and good judgment. Therefore a direct spotlight on the flag at night may not be required!
At this time of year when the days are short and the hours of darkness are much longer, it seems that questions regarding the lighting of the US Flag are asked more often.
Does the U.S. Flag need to have a direct light shining on it during hours of darkness? On first analysis, the answer seems to be “Yes”. The Flag Code states “The flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.”[I]
What does the term “properly illuminated” mean? Upon further research, it is noted that the term “properly illuminated” has not been explained/defined in The Flag Code. The Congressional Research Service in a publication titled The United States Flag: Federal Law Relating to Display and Associated Questions dated February 7, 2011 has explained that “… the dignity accorded to the flag is preserved by lighting that prevents its being enveloped in darkness.” [ii] (Emphasis added) Note that this explanation does not require a light to be directly shining on the flag.
In further understanding the concepts of “proper illumination” and “preventing being enveloped in darkness”, it is relevant to note an explanation by the American Legion. This organization states that “Proper illumination is… having a light source sufficient to illuminate the flag so it is recognizable as such by the casual observer.”[iii] Again, note that the American Legion does not call for a light shining directly on the flag.
Dr. Whitney Smith, a recognized expert (vexillologist[iv]) on the U.S. Flag and flag etiquette has opined that “The Flag Code does not spell out “proper illumination” but common sense suggests that ambient lighting adequately meets the requirement when the colors of the flag can be seen.[v]
The Federal Flag Code does not purport to cover all possible situations. Consequently, different interpretations of various provisions of the Code may continue to be made. The Flag Code itself, however, suggests a general rule by which practices involving the flag may be fairly tested: “No disrespect should be shown to the Flag of the United States of America.”[vi] & [vii]
Most people would agree that the preferred approach for flying the U.S. Flag at night would be to have a spotlight directly and brightly lighting it. However, if one does not have the resources to undertake such lighting (and cannot be assured of being able to lower the flag at sunset), should that person not fly the flag? Or, given the research noted above, is there a reasonable alternative?
Would it not be better to demonstrate your patriotism by flying the flag…but be careful to not disrespect the flag by allowing it to be completely enveloped in darkness? In other words, if you do not have the resources to have the flag directly lit at night, fly the flag as long as there is sufficient ambient light to allow the flag to be seen at night.
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[i] 4 U.S. C. §6. (a.)
[ii] The United States Flag: Federal Law Relating to Display and Associated Questions, Congressional Research Service, February 7, 2011 (Page 9)
[iii] Let’s Be Right on Flag Etiquette, The American Legion, January, 2002
[iv] Vexillology is the scholarly study of flags
[v] HONOR THE FLAG!, Flag Research Center, Whitney Smith, 1998
[vi] The United States Flag: Federal Law Relating to Display and Associated Questions, Congressional Research Service, February 7, 2011 (Page 1)
[vii] 4 U.S.C. §8.
I enjoy the report
It’s it against the law to not have the American flag lighted at night and if so what is the penalty? And is it against the law to burn the American flag and if so what is the penalty?
No. For private citizens, the Flag Code serves as a guide to be followed on a purely voluntary basis to insure proper respect for the flag. The Supreme Court has ruled that politically motivated violations of the Flag Code are protected by the First Amendment.
The Flag Code has no provision for enforcement. No fines, no penalties. There is nothing law enforcement can do when the Flag Code is broken.
There is no flag “law”, there is only flag “etiquette”.
Thanks for the wonderful post
This is truly useful, thanks.
If an individual wanted to illuminate a flagpole approximately 35 feet high with the appropriate size flag for a poll that height what would be the recommended amount of lights and the positioning of those lights to adequately illuminate the flag? Is there some kind of formula that is used I was thinking that three spotlights one directly up pointing to 12 o’clock one light about 10 feet away to the right obviously pointing up at the outskirts of where the flag would fly if there were wind and another spotlight 10 feet to the left of center with a spotlight pointed directly up to illuminate if the wind is blowing in the opposite direction. This is just my guess, Can you give me more definite protocol.
Michael,
Here is a link to an article that address your questions:
https://www.voltlighting.com/article-lighting-the-flag-in-a-patriotic-landscape/p/article-lighting-the-flag
Thank you for your inquiry,
Bill
It is my understanding that Nixon rescinded the lighting of the flag at night due to the oil embargo to save energy resources. Was “That” order ever rescinded??? Thank you for your time.
Sgt. GJ (Jerry) Grzeca
Does a wall mounted flag outside need to be lighted at night?
I believe any Flag that is displayed outdoors, including wall mounted flag should have some kind of light source. As the article finds this can include low level ambient light, maybe a porch light, garage light, or even a nearby street light. Just enough that you can make out the colors of the flag.
What about these stick flags placed on every grave site of our veterans at each cemetrry throughout the USA? They are not illuminated!
Well put, and we place about 300 of them up on graves every memorial day
but I do try to be common sensed about this. You cannot put lights on all of
them, but a flag of more a permanent manner is another subject. It is to me
that a person shows more respect for his or her Flag if they have it lit at night,
but to see the Flag flying all the time is the best thing. At least respect is being
shown. Thank you, JD Moore
Being a veteran illuminating means a light. Not having a light on the flag at night is a sign of disrespect and laziness. If you cannot afford a solar light on your flag, take it down at sunset or as it gets dark. Why do you read so deeply into words Daniel O’Keefe? Keep it simple. Light it or take it down. Simple and patriotic.
If you do your damned if you don’t? I’m as patriotic as the next guy. If I buy a flag and a pole and I raise it for my patriotism and people criticize me who do not display their patriotism and they tried to tell me what I should do and how I should do it and there is no law against what I am doing by letting the flag fly at night and not lowering it on my 40-foot flagpole. They feel that I should light it up on. I’ve tried that twice already and spent quite a bit of money on lights timers cordage not only the flag and the pole and accessories. My answer to them is because there is no set law and I am a private residential homeowner and not a public building or a taxpayer’s responsibility I my answer to them from now on is if you buy me the light higher the electrician to put it in every time it goes out I’ll be glad to light up the flag for you. this is what’s wrong and what’s eroding in our freedom. Yes it would be nice to light up the flag but I don’t see people standing in my backyard looking at it at night and if I did I would probably exercise my right to kick your ass off my property. I usually don’t flaunt I brag about anything but I was an ex-marine and think that I have a right to enjoy my patriotism it may not be perfect but it’s better than most and I’m not being disrespectful to the flag at all by not putting a light on it that’s not an issue in my mind. Now most sites that will tell you that you should have a flag lit at night are selling the products that you would have to buy to light it up I guess you can be a salesman but you can’t be patriotic unless people agree. So you people who b**** about other people and what they do look at yourself before you look at others. And get out of my yard my backyard.
We were at a Veterans Day ceremony and we were in file with the American flag,
State Flag and the POW Flag. We bought flag carriers to support the flags as we
marched to post the colors. Each one of us had a flag carrier and we were in question
of the correct position of the carrier, should it be on the left, right or in the middle
of each individual as we carry the flag poles with the flags. It would be great to
have the correct answer before our next meeting. We all agreed to put the base of the
carrier to our right side and we at least in same looks and uniform. I’ll be waiting
for your comments, thank you, JD Moore
This link has a description of displaying the flag.
I had a neighbor/ police officer question my flag and lighting. He did some research and let me know later that lighting is only required on government / public buildings.
As I was told, the explanation of “proper “ lighting was 3 lights at ⅓ the hight away from the pole and at equal distance from each light around the pole as to not have any shadows on the flag from any view point.
Does a United States Flag “metal sign” (not an actual flag) on a outfield fence at a high school baseball field have to have a light?
No. As you said it is not an actual flag so the same guidelines wold not apply.
Thank you for your quick reply.
As you mentioned, you should not allow the flag to be enveloped in darkness. Make sure to place your flagpole in a place where it can get some ambient lighting at night, if you do not plan to take the flag down every night. My parents are thinking about putting up a flagpole in their yard, we will have to consider this when choosing the location.
The Flag Code is not law. If it was all the people who wear the flag, wrap themselves up in it, or wrap their arms around it and hug it would be in jail. It doesn’t bother me that a flag is not lit at night or that it is burned in protest. It bothers me the way people wear or wrap themselves up in it, or otherwise degrade it in false patriotism.
I have a flag that was flown 1849-1851, I want to fly it 24-7. There is sufficient ambient light to tell it is a US flag. Do these historical flags fall into same category
as modern 50 state flags? I appreciate any comment.
I have a series of 5 20” flags in a planter that is not well lite. However,as cars enter through our community gate the headlights shine on my flags. I love them there as a patriotic American so I do not pull them out a night. I hope that is ok. There is a tall light pole about 40’ away that is on all night so there is some light. Please tell me that I don’t have to remove them.
Don’t worry Victoria you do not need to remove them. I’m not even sure the flag code applies to small stick flags.
I would like to put up a flag pole with a night light on top of the flag. Is this an appropriate configuration?
Yes Bob, lighting a flagpole from the top is a standard practice and an appropriate configuration.
I was watching a post on Facebook from Disney world Florida and it was called “did you know “ that Disney doesn’t light up it’s flag at night because it does not have 50 stars .so it is not required, is this true ?
What if it is an American flag but is representing the thin green line and thin blue line ! Should they still be considered a true American flag ? Mine are both illuminated at night but always curious !
If I use outdoor lighting that is connected to the grid to illuminate the flag at night and there is a nighttime power outage, do I need to move the flag inside for that time period or is it okay for it to remain outside during the power outage since it is just going to be temporarily unlit?