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When you're displaying the flag indoors,...

Originally Posted by Bobcathyv3j

When you're displaying the flag indoors, why does the eagle on the top of the
flagpole always face out?

I've heard of no such rule, and I actually can't even find reference to such a rule. Eagles, balls and stars are common toppers for flagpoles, both inside and out. The flag code says nothing about when or how different flag finials (as these toppers are formally called) should be used, though military code reserves the eagle finial for the president's flag, but of course civilians can use them however they want.

I wonder if the idea about having the eagles face out comes from the notion that the eagle is symbolically protecting the flag, thus it has to be looking out (literally) for danger? If anyone else has heard this rule, I'd love to hear any justification you know of.

Thanks for asking!

Sarah