Comradeship, Patriotism, Community Service

The Flag of the State of Texas

The laws relating to the flag of the State of Texas are found in detail in Chapter
3100 of the Texas Government Code. Sections 3100.051 - 3100.064 gives
information regarding the display of the state flag outdoors, on flagpoles, and
with other flags. Also included are instructions for displaying the flag horizontally
or vertically, and the proper manner to display the state flag from or in a building,
over a street, or on a motor vehicle. Section 3100.065 covers the display of
the state flag at half-staff. Sections 3100.066 - 3100.069 covers carrying of the
state flag in general. Section 3100.070 covers limitations on the display of the
state flag. Sections 3100.101 - 3100.104 covers the State flag pledge.

Our post strives to make all citizens aware of the correct procedures for handling,
displaying, and rendering honors to the Flag of the State of Texas.

Flag Etiquette

State Flag Mounted on Flagstaff.

If the state flag is mounted on a flagstaff: (1) the flag should be attached at the
peak of the staff; (2) the staff should be at least 2-1/2 times as long as the flag's hoist;
and (3) if the staff has a finial, the finial should be a star or a spearhead. If the
state flag is permanently mounted on a flagstaff: (1) the flag may be decorated with
gold fringe; and (2) the staff may be decorated with gold cord or tassels.

When & Where to Display the Flag.

The state flag should be displayed: (1) on each state or national holiday and on any
special occasion of historical significance; and (2) daily on or near the main
administration building of each state institution.

Flying the Flag during day & night.

The state flag should not normally be displayed outdoors before sunrise or after sunset.
For patriotic effect, the state flag may be displayed outdoors: (1) 24 hours a day, if
properly illuminated during darkness; or (2) in the same circumstances that the flag of
the United States may be displayed. The state flag should not be displayed outdoors
during inclement weather unless the flag is a weatherproof flag.

The State Flag on a Flagpole or Flagstaff with Other Flags.

A flag or pennant, other than the flag of the United States, displayed with the state
flag: (1) should not be above the state flag; or (2) if the other flag or pennant is at the
same height as the state flag, should not be, from the perspective of an observer, to
the left of the state flag.

Displaying the State Flag on a Flagpole or Flagstaff with the Flag of the United States.

If it is necessary for the state flag and the flag of the United States to be displayed on the
same flagpole or flagstaff, the United States flag should be above the state flag. If the state
flag and the flag of the United States are displayed on flagpoles or flagstaffs at the same
location: (1) the flags should be displayed on flagpoles or flagstaffs of the same height;
(2) the flags should be of approximately equal size; (3) the flag of the United States should
be, from the perspective of an observer, to the left of the state flag; (4) the flag of the
United States should be hoisted before the state flag is hoisted; and (5) the state flag should
be lowered before the flag of the United States is lowered.

Displaying the State Flag on a Flagpole or Flagstaff with Flags of Municipalities,
Localities, or Organizations.

If the state flag is displayed on a flagpole or flagstaff with a group of flags or pennants of
municipalities, localities, or organizations that are displayed on flagpoles or flagstaffs, the
state flag should be at the center and at the highest point of the group. If the state flag is
displayed on the same halyard as a flag or pennant of a municipality, locality, or organization,
the state flag should be at the peak. If the state flag and the flag or pennant of a municipality,
locality, or organization are displayed on adjacent flagpoles or flagstaffs: (1) the state flag
should be hoisted before the flag or pennant of the municipality, locality, or organization is
hoisted; and (2) the flag or pennant of the municipality, locality, or organization should be
lowered before the state flag is lowered.

Displaying the State Flag on a Flagpole or Flagstaff with Flags of Other States,
Other Nations, or Internation Organizations.

If the state flag is displayed with the flag of another state of the United States, of a nation
other than the United States, or of an international organization, the state flag: (1) should
be, from the perspective of an observer, to the left of the other flag on a separate flagpole
or flagstaff; and (2) should not be above the other flag on the same flagpole or flagstaff or
on a taller flagpole or flagstaff than the flagpole or flagstaff on which the other flag is
displayed. (b) This does not apply to the United States, including the armed services, if
federal custom or practice requires another manner of display.

Displaying the State Flag with Other Flags on Crossed Flagstaffs.

If the state flag is displayed with another flag, other than the flag of the United States, against
a wall on crossed flagstaffs, the state flag should: (1) be, from the perspective of an observer,
to the left of the other flag; and (2) have its flagstaff in front of the flagstaff of the other flag.
If the state flag and the flag of the United States are displayed against a wall on crossed
flagstaffs, the state flag should: (1) be, from the perspective of an observer, to the right of the
flag of the United States; and (2) have its flagstaff behind the flagstaff of the United States flag.

Horizontal and Vertical Display of the State Flag.

If the state flag is displayed horizontally, the white stripe should be above the red stripe and,
from the perspective of an observer, to the right of the blue stripe. If the state flag is displayed
vertically: (1) the blue stripe should be above the white and red stripes; and (2) the white
stripe should be, from the perspective of an observer, to the left of the red stripe.

Display of the State Flag from or in a Building.

If the state flag is displayed from a flagstaff that projects horizontally or at an angle from
a building, the top of the flag should be placed at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at
half-staff. If the state flag is suspended over a sidewalk from a rope that extends from a
building to a pole at the edge of a sidewalk, the flag should be hoisted from the building so
that the white stripe is nearest the pole. If the state flag is suspended across a corridor or
lobby in a building that has only one main entrance, the flag should be suspended vertically
so that the white stripe is, from the perspective of an observer who is entering the building,
to the left of the red stripe. If the building has more than one main entrance, the state flag
should be suspended vertically near the center of the corridor or lobby. If the entrances
are on the east and west faces of the building, the white stripe should be to the north. If
the entrances are on the north and south faces of the building, the white stripe should be
to the east. If there are entrances on more than two faces of the building, the white stripe
should be to the east.If the state flag is displayed in a window, the white stripe should be
above the red stripe and, from the perspective of an observer who is outside the window,
to the right of the blue stripe.

Display of the State Flag Over a Street.

If the state flag is displayed over a street, the flag should be suspended vertically with the
blue stripe above the white and red stripes. If the street is an east-west street, the white
stripe should be to the north. If the street is a north-south street, the white stripe should
be to the east.

Display of the State Flag on a Speaker's Platform.

If the state flag is displayed flat on a speaker's platform, the flag should be displayed
above and behind the speaker. If the state flag and the flag of the United States are
displayed on a speaker's platform, the state flag should be, from the perspective of an
observer, to the right of the United States flag.

Display of the State Flag on a Casket.

If the state flag is used to cover a casket, the flag should be placed so that: (1) the blue
stripe is at the head of the casket; and (2) the white stripe is over the left shoulder of the
casket. (b) The state flag should not be lowered in the grave or allowed to touch the ground.

Display on Flagstaff on Motor Vehicle.

If the state flag is displayed on a flagstaff on a motor vehicle, the staff should be attached
firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right fender. If the flag of the United States and
the state flag are displayed on flagstaffs on a motor vehicle: (1) the staff of the flag of the
United States should be clamped to the right fender of the vehicle; and (2) the staff of the
state flag should be clamped to the left fender of the vehicle.

Display of the State Flag at Half-Staff.

If the state flag is to be displayed at half-staff, the flag should be hoisted to the peak of the
flagpole for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. (b) Before the state flag
is lowered for the day, it should first be raised to the peak of the flagpole. (c) On Memorial
Day, the state flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon and at that time raised to the
peak of the flagpole. (d) The state flag should be displayed at half-staff on Peace Officers
Memorial Day, May 15, unless that date is also Armed Forces Day. (e) By order of the
governor, the state flag shall be displayed at half-staff on a person's death as a mark of
respect to the memory of that person.

Limitations of Display of the State Flag.

The state flag should not: touch anything beneath it, including the ground or floor; be
dipped to any person or thing, except as a mark of honor for the United States flag;
trail in water; have placed on any part of it, or attached to it, any mark, word, figure,
design, picture, or drawing; be used or stored in a manner in which it can easily be soiled
or damaged; be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything;
be displayed on a float in a parade, except from a staff or in the manner provided by
Section 3100.059; be draped over the hood, top, side, or back of any vehicle, train, boat,
or aircraft; be used as bedding or drapery; be festooned or drawn back or up in folds, but
instead allowed to fall free; or be used as a covering for a ceiling. (b) Advertising should
not be fastened to a flagpole, flagstaff, or halyard on which the state flag is displayed.
(c) Bunting of blue, white, and red, arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle,
and the red below, should be used instead of the state flag to cover a speaker's desk or
to drape the front of a platform and for decoration in general.

Pledge of Allegiance to the State Flag.

The pledge of allegiance to the state flag is:
"Honor the Texas flag;
I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas,
one state under God,
one and indivisible."

The pledge of allegiance to the state flag may be recited at any: public or private meeting
at which the pledge of allegiance to the United States flag is recited; and state historical
event or celebration. The pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States should be
recited before the pledge of allegiance to the state flag if both are recited. If the pledge to
the state flag is recited, each person who is present and: not in uniform should: (A) face
the state flag and stand at attention with the person's right hand over the heart; (B) if
wearing a head covering that is easy to remove, remove that head covering with the
right hand and hold it at the person's left shoulder, with the person's hand over the heart;
and (C) recite the pledge; or in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and make the
military salute.

Retirement of the State Flag.

If a state flag is no longer used or useful as an emblem for display, it should be
destroyed, preferably by burning, in a ceremony or another dignified way that
emphasizes its honor as a fitting emblem for this state. (b) It is encouraged that
retirement of the state flag be a public ceremony under the direction of uniformed
personnel representing a state or national military service or a patriotic society,
but the state flag may be retired in a private ceremony.

Owing a Texas State Flag.

If you wish to own a Texas State Flag which has flown over the State Capitol in Austin,
contact either State Representative Wayne Christian or the Sergeant At Arms Office of
the Texas House of Representatives at the following addresses:

Representative Wayne Christian
204 Houston
Center, TX 75935
(936) 598-7580
(936) 564-0051 Fax

Sergeant at Arms
Texas House of Representatives
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768-2910
512-463-0910