[USAFlags]

Direction of Eagle on Flag Pole...

Originally Posted by libby.barbee
You have a wonderful site. Thank you for all the helpful information.
I do have a question, regarding the placement of a new flag pole. My
son is involved with the installation of a new flag pole for our city
police station, as part of his Eagle Scout project. We have purchased
an eagle to place on the top of the pole, and are wondering if the eagle
should be facing a particular direction? I've heard that it should face
Washington, D. C. Is this correct? Thank you for any help you can give
us on this. We want to do it right!

[TripleA]

There is no official direction for the eagle to face as long as he is right side up and flying straight. It is customary for the eagle to face DC but in times of war it has been common for the eagle to face the direction of deployed troops and for troops on foreign soil to have the eagle face towards home. The ball is more common as a top and has more official protocols than the eagle but both are acceptable as long as the eagle is gold or silver in color only. Just remember to fly OUR Flag right and fly it with pride.

[tedbriseno]

Does the eagle itself on top of the pole have a significance?
What does the dome or ball on top of the pole mean?
How about the spear or any other item placed on top of the pole mean?
What does the Code say about these?

[NAVA1974]

Eagles on top of outdoor flagpoles are not recommended regardless of the direction they face as the flag could snag on the wings and get torn. Best to use the round ball or flat truck, and keep the eagles on the indoor staff. Nick

[tedbriseno]

It is my understanding that only the flag of the president should have an eagle on top. Is this true?
Also, the gold ball has a seperate meaning or use for general purposes and the spear on top has a military or wartime meaning, maybe?
Any protocol on any of this?

[Peter Ansoff]

It is my understanding that only the flag of the president should have an eagle on top. Is this true? . . . and the spear on top has a military or wartime meaning, maybe? Any protocol on any of this?

Well, sort of. Each of the armed forces has its own regulations about finials. The US Army regulation (AR840-10) specifies that the eagle shall only be used for the president; however, in practice it's also used for other senior officials. In the Navy, it's used above a boat flag when a senior official is embarked. There's a good summary here:

Finials and Fringe

Also, the gold ball has a seperate meaning . . .

The gold (or silver) ball is generic as far as I know. I've had people try to tell me that the purpose of the ball is to prevent birds from alighting on the flagpole. If that was the intent, it obviously doesn't work very well, because I see birds sitting atop flagpole balls all the time!

As has has been pointed out elsewhere on this board, eagle finials are not recommended for outdoor flags, because the flag tends to get snagged and torn on the eagle wings.

Peter Ansoff

[Peter Ansoff]

How about the spear or any other item placed on top of the pole mean?

Other than military regulations (which are discussed earlier in this thread), flagpole finials are pretty much generic. There are, however, two states that specify specific finials for their state flags. Maryland's finial is a heraldic "bottony cross," and Kentucky's is a cardinal bird.

Peter Ansoff

[Marky]

Hmmm this is interesting information about eagle direction

[american_flag_uk]

if i had a flagpole outside i dont think id have an eagle on it at all... just a ball.... i wouldent like my flag to get snagged by the eagle wings

[madlw]

To tell you the truth I did'nt know anything about this subject until I read it. I never even heard of this before! Great article and thanks for your oppinions