Misinterpretation Of The Flags Decoration
There has been controversy around the use of fringe on the American flag.
Theories are abundant, with some believing that the gold fringing signifies Admiralty or Maritime law.
However, the American Legion states: courts have deemed without merit and frivolous, lawsuits that contend that the gold fringe adorning the flag conferred Admiralty/Maritime jurisdiction.
Turns out the extra gold fringe is simply decorative.
Should You Buy An American Flag With Gold Fringe
Gold fringe American flags are designed for use by the U.S. military. The U.S. military has been displaying for over a century. With that said, neither the U.S. Flag Code nor any other legislation prohibits civilians from displaying American flags with gold fringe.
According to Army Regulation 840-10, American flags with gold fringe should only be displayed indoors and for ceremonial use. This makes sense considering that gold fringe is typically susceptible to weather-related damage. When displayed outdoors, the gold fringe will soak up the rain and humidity, thus making it vulnerable to damage. And when an American flag is damaged beyond the point of repair, it must be retired in an honorable and respectable manner.
Gold fringe is simply a decorative addition to the American flag. It doesnt change the American flags actual design. As previously mentioned, it consists of a fluffy gold-colored fabric thats added to the edges or border of an American flag. Gold fringe American flags were introduced in the 1800s for use by the U.S. Army.
Meaning Of Gold Fringe American Flags
Youll typically find American flags with gold fringe displayed by the U.S. Army and other branches of the military. The American Legion states that gold fringe was added to the American flag for Army regiments in the late 1800s. In 1895, the U.S. Army officially added gold fringe to its American flags. Since then the U.S. Army and other branches of the military have continued to display American flags with gold fringe.
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That Was Then This Is Now
The cord and tassels is not necessary. Keeping it as a traditional/historic reference, I can definitely understand. Most likely the gold colored cord is there because the color matches the fringe. The red, white, and blue cord and tassels is required on all national colors for the Marine Corps, Navy and Coast Guard . I prefer this tri-colored cord and tassels, referred to as a rope and tassels by the Marine Corps.
§8. Respect for flag The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.
Flag Code
Fringe could be described as a figure or possibly a design. Dont attach anything to the flag. There is no argument that is acceptable for fringe that I can see.
Nowhere in the Flag Code is fringe authorized to be attached to it anymore . Its not necessary since we do not carry it into battle anymore, which would require creating something to keep it clean.
For information on star size, read here.
Origins Of Gold Fringe American Flags
American flags havent always featured gold fringe. According to The American Legion, it wasnt until 1835 when they began to feature gold fringe. The first American flag, of course, was designed long before that time. On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress passed a piece of legislation recognizing an official American flag. This legislation didnt include any mention of gold fringe. Rather, gold fringe American flags began appearing many decades later in 1835.
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Have You Ever Walked Into A Court Room And Notice A Gold Fringe Flag Hanging In The Room
Did you ever wonder why every single flag in court rooms and government buildings is a gold fringe flag? And do you remember how many times you pledged your allegiance to that flag?
I pledge allegiance to the flag, of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one Nation, under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.
Reciting the pledge was the first things we did in school every day, from day one of first grade, to the last day of eighth grade. So, after eight years of repetition, the neuro-pathways are grooved in deep into our brains. And our loyalty so strong to the red, white and blue. Then, one day, we wake up in our adult world, and guess what? The flag now has gold fringe around it and we NEVER asked why? Why is this flag different than the one we were taught to love and be loyal to? We never questioned it. We just assumed it was the same, dear old stripes and stars, and went about out busy little lives.
Fringe And Flag Sizes
b. National flags listed below are for indoor display and for use in ceremonies and parades. For these purposes, the flag of the United States will be of rayon banner cloth or heavyweight nylon, trimmed on three sides with golden yellow fringe, 2 1/2 inches wide. It will be the same size or larger than other flags displayed or carried at the same time. 4-foot 4-inch hoist by 5-foot 6-inch fly. This size flag will be displayed with the U.S. Army flag, organizational flag of ACOMs, positional colors , the Corps of Cadets color, the 1st Battalion, 3d Infantry color, the 4-foot 4-inch by 5-foot 6-inch chapel flag and the individual flag of a general of the Army. 3-foot hoist by 4-foot fly. This size flag will be displayed with the Army Field flag, distinguishing flags, organizational colors, and institutional flags of the same size. It will also be displayed within the offices listed in c below when no other positional or organizational flags are authorized.
AR 840-10
Now, why would the Army just ignore the Flag Code when the Marine Corps specifically forbids fringe on the national flag?
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A Brief History Of Fringe
According to DeVaughn Simper, a respected member in the vexillology community and a vexillologist for Colonial Flag of Sandy Utah, provided me with an interesting aspect of the original use of fringe, as far as the American flag is concerned.
Fringe was attached to the flag because it created static electricity and attracted dirt keeping the flag itself clean longer.
Perfectly reasonable.
About The Gold Fringe On The American Flag
Gold fringe is used on the National flag as an honorable enrichment only. It is not regarded as an integral part of the flag and its use does not constitute an unauthorized addition to the design prescribed by statutes.
Records of the Department of the Army indicate that fringe was used on the National flag as early as 1835 and its official use by the Army dates from 1895. There is no record of an Act of Congress or Executive Order which either prescribes or prohibits the addition of fringe, nor is there any indication that any symbolism was ever associated with it. The use of fringe is optional with the person or organization displaying the flag.
A 1925 Attorney Generals Opinion states:
The fringe does not appear to be regarded as an integral part of the flag, and its presence cannot be said to constitute an unauthorized additional to the design prescribed by statute. An external fringe is to be distinguished from letters, words, or emblematic designs printed or superimposed upon the body of the flag itself. Under the law, such additions might be open to objection as unauthorized but the same is not necessarily true of the fringe.
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A Gold Fringe Infringement On The American Flag
During our District Roundtable last month, one of the Staff members shared his perspective about gold fringe on the flag of the United States with a term I had never heard before: Admiralty Law. He gave very stern instructions to remove any American flag from our units with this gold fringe, because of what he said it stands for .
Huh?? our Troop uses a flag like this!! It was purchased long before I was ever asked to be the Scoutmaster. The first time I saw it, I remember thinking how beautifully decorated this flag was a fancy embellishment for special occasions, like a Pack Meeting or Court of Honor. That gold fringe never once crossed my mind as being any kind of violation of this great country, our Constitution or any United States Code. So this information came as a surprise to me and caused some confusion and concern.
I immediately started looking into our alleged infringement. WOW!! Are there ever a lot of differing opinions, false quotes and misguided interpretations about the meaning of gold fringe on an American flag! As my research continued, I found nothing specifically declared about fringe of any color in the U.S. Code yet I really wanted an authoritative source to give a definitive statement about this issue.
Gold fringe is used on the National flag as an honorable enrichment only. It is not regarded as an integral part of the flag and its use does not constitute an unauthorized addition to the design prescribed by statutes.
The Corporation Of The United States
Lets add another fact to this to help with the possible confusion.
On February 21, 1871 with no constitutional authority to do so, Congress created a separate form of government for the District of Columbia, a ten mile square parcel of land . From . This created the United States, Inc. As a corporation there are all kinds of different rules for a business verses a country.
Notice that when you read the Flag Code, certain statements only pertain to those living in the District of Columbia not to anyone else. A US Citizen is one who is based in the District of Columbia and subject to those laws. Its a deep rabbit hole, but well worth it to onvestigate.
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Many Available Sizes For Every Occasion
Carrot-Top’s indoor American flags are available in six sizes. After selecting the flag size that best meets your needs, consider pairing it with an indoor flagpole. Below are sizing recommendations for pairing indoor flags with flagpoles:
- 2′ x 3′ flag with a 6′ flagpole
- 5′ x 4′ flag with a 7′ flagpole
- 3′ x 5′ flag with a 7′ to 8′ flagpole
- 4′ x 6′ flag with a 9′ flagpole
- 33′ x 5.5′ flag with a 9′ flagpole
- 5′ x 8′ flag with a 12′ flagpole
What Does Gold Fringe On The American Flag Mean
This gold fringing on the American Flag signifies honourable enrichment and is part of the military tradition.
According to the American Legion, the first use of fringing on a US flag was in 1835. However, the flag added this decoration for all sections of the army in 1895.
They also say that for people in the US: fringe is not required as an integral part of the flag, nor can its use be said to constitute an unauthorized addition to the design prescribed by statute.
Basically, you can have the flag with or without fringing and not be penalised by law.
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Did You Know What Gold Fringe Means On The American Flag
Not all American flags are the same. While they all have the same design consisting of 50 stars and 13 stripes, some of them feature gold fringe. A fluffy gold-colored fabric is sewn around the edges of these flags, resulting in a unique appearance that distinguishes them from other American flags. Being that only some American flags feature gold fringe, you might be wondering what it means.
Flag Fringe And Finial Theory
DrillMaster Color Guard/Color Team, DrillCenter News, Honor Guard
Before we get into the Fringe Theory, lets all just take a deep breath and not get reactionary. Completely dismissing or wrapping yourself around the axle into this theory without due consideration of the facts is not going to do anyone any good.
I know. Conspiracy theories! Wacko! Tin-foil hat-wearing fool! Yada-yada-yada. If you are not open minded or already know everything, please move along.
Im not writing this to offer complete answers, just bring out information. I dont know if we can have definite answers to the myriad of possible questions.
UPDATE: This Web page here has nothing but false information and yet it is being shared as if it is packed full of truth. It talks about the military flag that has fringe. There is no such flag and Pres. Eisenhowers Executive Order does not have that language in it nor does the US Code regarding the flag. Its all nonsense.
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So The Flag In The Court Room Is A Gold Fringe Flag Who Cares That Doesnt Affect Me Right
You should care and yes, it does affect you. The gold fringe flag is a clear sign of a system being in place that is not the system we are taught to believe is in place. A gold fringe flag was historically used during times of war in maritime admiralty law.
The gold fringe flag is not the same flag that is approved for our Constitutional Republic in USA code Title 4 Ch 1 & Ch 2. The fourth color is not approved in the code. Also, you will notice the tassles hanging from the flag. These are also symbolic of admiralty law, which is the law of the sea.
So, wait a minute? Our flags that hang in our government buildings and court rooms are actually representative of war-time in the law of the sea/admiralty law?? Yes. We are in fact, functioning in maritime admiralty law, and our court system is actually upholding a corporation that goes by the name of UNITED STATES. In other words, we are not in a republic, and we are not dealing with the constitutional United States of America. Well, actually, the UNITED STATES does have a constitution but it is not the same as the original Constitution that was drafted for the republic. This is why the gold fringed flag controversy is such a big deal, because it symboliz
It is important to continue studying about the laws and codes that are applied within our system. To learn more about the gold fringe flag
Gold Fringe On The Us Flag
EDITOR:
Pick me off the floor. Tell me its my imagination. Tell me that Im not seeing a gold-fringed flag in front of a Tea Party meeting. Tell me its not true that all stood proudly to recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag when desecrated Old Glory must have been silently weeping for the millions of Americans who have died for the freedom she represents.
My people will perish for lack of knowledge, is a quote from the Bible. It is impossible for uneducated people to be free. So if you want to remain enslaved and blind, keep honoring the gold-fringe flag, appearing in every government office and courtroom in our land. Patriots are subjected to ridicule when objecting to this Admiralty flag. It looks like the American flag with one minor difference a knotted golden fringe on three sides.
Why should anyone be concerned about this apparently innocent decorative feature? What difference does it make ?
The difference is that a fringed flag displayed, is legal notice of the type of law that holds jurisdiction. The constitutional United States flag signifies common law jurisdiction. The fringe denotes Admiralty laws jurisdiction. Do you still want to continue pledging allegiance to a gold-fringed flag? The gold-fringed United States flag is the War flag which denotes Admiralty or martial law.
Wake up. Demand gold fringes be removed from flags in public meeting places. At least bring a seam ripper.
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What Does The Gold Fringe Flag Symbolize
Are you aware, that the flag hanging in the courtroom is a gold fringe flag? Have you ever noticed it and wondered what is symbolizes? Have you ever asked, why is this flag different than the one we were taught to praise, love, and be loyal to? We never questioned it.
What does the gold fringe flag mean?
The gold fringe flag is historically used during times of war in maritime admiralty law. So in other words, the gold fringe flag symbolizes maritime law.
The gold fringe flag is not the same flag that is approved for our Constitutional Republic in USA code Title 4 Ch 1 & Ch 2. The fourth color is not approved in the code. Youll notice the tassles hanging from the flag. These are also symbolic of admiralty law, which is the law of the sea.
So, the flags that are hanging in our government buildings and court rooms are actually representative of war-time in the law of the sea/admiralty law?? Yes. We are in fact, functioning in maritime admiralty law, and our court system is actually upholding a corporation that goes by the name of UNITED STATES. In other words, we are not in a republic, and we are not dealing with the constitutional United States of America. Well, actually, the UNITED STATES does have a constitution but it is not the same as the original Constitution that was drafted for the republic. This is why the gold fringed flag controversy is such a big deal, because it symbolizes war.
