POW Flag - Vertical Display

[Kathy14470]

When hanging the POW flag in vertical orientation (grommets at top, top parallel to the ground), which way is correct - top of head to the left or right?

I would also appreciate source information for the answer, please.

Thanks!

[Peter Ansoff]

Hi, Kathy, welcome to the forum!

I don't believe that there is any official rule dealing with this. It would make sense that the POW/MIA flag should be displayed so that the lettering reads correctly (not backwards), which would mean that the head should go to the observer's right. One odd thing about this is that it's the opposite of the way the US flag is displayed (the union goes on the observer's left, whether it's horizonal or vertical). This same problem arises when the US flag is displayed with other national flags (Brazil, for example) that have lettering on them.

If your POW/MIA flag is double-sided, so that both sides read correctly, it might look better to follow the same rule as for the US flag. Again, there is no hard-and-fast rule about this; it's mostly a matter of common sense and what looks good.

Peter Ansoff