13 Folds

 

By Jane Marie

click on the photo of Martha Bear® to enlarge it

You may have seen an American flag folded into a tight formal triangle made up of 13 folds.  This particular technique of folding is reserved for the United States flag alone.

Each fold symbolizes:

1  Life

2  Belief in eternal life

3  Honor and remembrance of those departed who gave a portion of their lives to defend our country for worldwide peace

4  Weaker human nature and He who we turn to for guidance

5  Our country, right or wrong

6  Our pledge of allegiance to the American flag

7  A salute to our military forces that protect our country inside and outside our borders

8  Those who enter the valley of the shadow of death so that we might see the next day's dawning and to mothers because the flag should be flown on Mother's Day

9  Tribute to women who molded its upstanding citizens

10  Tribute to fathers who gave their sons and daughters to protect our country

11  The lower part of the Star of David and King Solomon and the glories of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob

12  Eternity and grace in the Christian religion, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit

13  "In God We Trust" with the stars positioned in the upper right corner.

To complete the folds, the last end is tucked inside to form a tight triangle wrapped in blue that, at sundown, when Taps are played, represents the light of day turning into the dark of night.  The folded flag is meant to look like the Revolutionary War cocked hat worn by the soldiers of General George Washington and the sailors and marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones.  It is a tribute to all military personnel who have and will protect and preserve the United States of American.

 

more information: http://www.usflag.org and  http://www.usafa.af.mil/