Flag Facts
- Standard Canadian flag size is 36” x 72”. It should fly between 20’ – 25’ from ground level.
- The Canadian flag length should always be 2x’s the width. It is fashioned after the proportions of the British Union Jack.
- The side of the flag that attaches to the pole or the halyard is called the hoist or heading.
- The side of the flag that flaps is called the fly end.
- When an uneven number of flags are flying in a row the Canadian flag should fly in the centre or when flown within an even number the Canadian flag should fly on the far left as the public is viewing it. The left hand position is the position of respect or prominence.
- When two or more flags are to be flown on one pole the Canadian flag should be flown on the top and should be the same size or larger.
- Breaking a flag – an example of this can be found HERE
- Flying a flag at half-mast should only be done on flagpoles fitted with a halyard and pulley system. The flag should be hoisted to the top of the pole and then immediately lowered to a position that is easily recognized as “half mast”.
- When a flag becomes worn and tattered it must be disposed of in a dignified manner.
- The average life span of an outdoor flag is dependent on the conditions it must endure at its individual location. Wind, sun, snow and ice as well as dirt and pollutants in the air can restrict the longevity of a flag. An average flag should be replaced once to twice per year.
- Oversized or larger heavier flags will require replacing more often than smaller ones.
- 27” x 54” flag flies on a 15’ – 18’ flagpole (common residential application)
- 36” x 72” flag flies on a 20’ – 25’ flagpole
- 45” x 90” flag flies on a 25’ – 30’ flagpole
- 54” x 108” flag flies on a 30’ – 35’ flagpole
- 60” x 120” flag flies on a 40’ – 50’ flagpole
- 72” x 144” flag flies on a 50’ and up
- Marine flag sizes are dependent on the length of craft, which they are flying on. The most common rule is 1 inch of flag length per foot of boat length (e.g. a 24’ boat would fly a 12” x 24” Canadian flag).
- A boat that is permanently moored in Canada should fly a Canadian flag off of the stern flagpole.
- The bow flagpole is usually used for flying a courtesy flag (flag of another country that the boat might be visiting), a novelty pennant or a yacht club burgee.
