Available With Or Without Fringe
What do these American Flags with Gold Fringe Have to Offer?
Select an indoor American flag with gold fringe for a classic look. Our fringed American flag features bright gold rayon fringe, a cotton-lined pole sleeve and either a Velcro or a leather tab for fastening the flag to a flagpole. Gold Fringed American flags are often carried in parades, used in official ceremonies, and displayed in offices. Though it is not required, fringe enhances the beauty of the flag. Fringed indoor American flags have been unofficially used by the military and government for years.
Is a Flag Without Fringe a Better Option for Me?
Select an indoor American flag without fringe to either match an existing flag set or fit an existing indoor flagpole. Like our fringed flag, the pole sleeve of our non-fringed U.S. flag is lined with cotton for added strength, and it includes a tab inside the top of the sleeve so that the flag can be fastened easily to a flagpole.
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.
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.
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Designer Of The First Stars And Stripes
On 10 May 1779, a letter from the War Board to George Washington stated that there was still no design established for a national standard, on which to base regimental standards, but also referenced flag requirements given to the board by General von Steuben. On 3 September, Richard Peters submitted to Washington “Drafts of a Standard” and asked for his “Ideas of the Plan of the Standard,” adding that the War Board preferred a design they viewed as “a variant for the Marine Flag.” Washington agreed that he preferred “the standard, with the Union and Emblems in the center.” The drafts are lost to history but are likely to be similar to the first Jack of the United States.
The origin of the stars and stripes design has been muddled by a story disseminated by the descendants of Betsy Ross. The apocryphal story credits Betsy Ross for sewing one of the first flags from a pencil sketch handed to her by George Washington. No such evidence exists either in George Washington’s diaries or the Continental Congress’s records. Indeed, nearly a century passed before Ross’s grandson, William Canby, first publicly suggested the story in 1870. By her family’s own admission, Ross ran an upholstery business, and she had never made a flag as of the supposed visit in June 1776. Furthermore, her grandson admitted that his own search through the Journals of Congress and other official records failed to find corroborating evidence for his grandmother’s story.
Flag Resolution Of 1777
On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress passed the Flag Resolution which stated: “Resolved, That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”Flag Day is now observed on June 14 of each year. While scholars still argue about this, tradition holds that the new flag was first hoisted in June 1777 by the Continental Army at the Middlebrook encampment.
Both the stripes and the stars have precedents in classical heraldry. Mullets were comparatively rare in early modern heraldry. However, an example of mullets representing territorial divisions predating the U.S. flag is the Valais 1618 coat of arms, where seven mullets stood for seven districts.
The first official U.S. flag flown during battle was on August 3, 1777, at Fort Schuyler during the Siege of Fort Stanwix. Massachusetts reinforcements brought news of the adoption by Congress of the official flag to Fort Schuyler. Soldiers cut up their shirts to make the white stripes scarlet material to form the red was secured from red flannel petticoats of officers’ wives, while material for the blue union was secured from Capt. Abraham Swartwout’s blue cloth coat. A voucher is extant that Congress paid Capt. Swartwout of Dutchess County for his coat for the flag.
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Why Do Some American Flags Have Gold Fringe
Have you ever wondered why some American flags have gold fringe on the edges? While most American flags feature a traditional design consisting of 13 stripes and 50 stars, some are embellished with gold fringe. The edges are essentially covered with braided, gold-colored material or fabric, resulting in a unique appearance thats not found in traditional American flags. So, whats the reason behind this gold fringe exactly?
According to The American Legion, gold fringe has been used in American flags since the 1830s. In the late 1800s, it was adopted for use in the Army. All regiments of the U.S. Army soon began using them. The U.S. Army Regulation Code even includes a section about the gold fringe. According to the Code, gold fringe should be used in American flags that are displayed either indoors or outdoors.
Of course, if you look through the U.S. Flag Code the federal law governing the display, maintenance and retirement of the American flag you wont find any mention of gold fringe. Neither older versions of the U.S. Flag Code nor the current version mention anything about gold fringe. Considering that the U.S. Flag Code is designed specifically for the American flag, you might be wondering why it doesnt mention anything about it. Unfortunately, its not known why the U.S. Flag Code doesnt discuss the American flags gold fringe. We only know that it was originally used in American flags displayed by the U.S. Army.
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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Appearance Of Fringe On The Flag
According to the Army Study Guide website, gold fringe appeared on the American flag as early as 1835. Officially adopted for use on flags in 1895, the gold adornment is not original to the flags design. The fringe is generally used on ceremonial flags for indoor use or special services, and is optional. Outdoor flags usually dont have fringe, as it would deteriorate rapidly in inclement weather.
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Civil War And The Flag
Our Banner in the SkyFrederic Edwin Church
Prior to the Civil War, the American flag was rarely seen outside of military forts, government buildings and ships. During the American War of Independence and War of 1812 the army was not even officially sanctioned to carry the United States flag into battle. It was not until 1834 that the artillery was allowed to carry the American flag the army would be granted to do the same in 1841. However, in 1847, in the middle of the war with Mexico, the flag was limited to camp use and not allowed to be brought into battle.
This changed following the shots at Fort Sumter in 1861. The flag flying over the fort was allowed to leave with the Union troops as they surrendered. It was taken across northern cities, which spurred a wave of “Flagmania”. The stars and stripes, which had no real place in the public conscious, suddenly became a part of the national identity. The flag became a symbol of the Union, and the sale of flags exploded at this time. In a reversal, the 1847 army regulations would be dropped, and the flag was allowed to be carried into battle. Some wanted to remove the stars of the southern states that seceded but Abraham Lincoln refused believing it would give legitimacy to the Confederate states.
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Sewn Cotton 35 American Flag With Gold Fringe
$54.95
Free USA shipping on all orders over $49
- 14 day easy returns
This is a beautifully appliqued and sewn cotton, indoor US flag with a rich-looking, gold fringe border.
Cotton flags feature a very heavy, luxurious look and feel. They are commonly used indoors because of their old-world, hand-crafted appearance. This flag is intended for indoor or parade use only. Cotton flags are also suitable for framing and hanging indoors.
- Heavy, soft cotton fabric
- Sewn stripes and embroidered stars
- Heavy cotton sleeve with ties and leather tabs to attach the flag to the pole
- Bordered on 3 sides with beautiful, gold fringe
- Flag size 3 x 5
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Carrot-Top Industries has more than 40 years of knowledge and experience and our Customer Care Professionals would be thrilled to assist you in placing an order or answering any questions you may have. You may order online or reach out to us by phone at , or schedule a convenient time for a consultation through Contact Our Team. We look forward to hearing from you!
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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.
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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VFW $30,000 Scholarship! Write an essay on the annual patriotic theme. This years theme is, Why Is The Veteran Important?
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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
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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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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Possible Future Design Of The Flag
If a new U.S. state were to be admitted, it would require a new design of the flag to accommodate an additional star for a 51st state. 51-star flags have been designed and used as a symbol by supporters of statehood in various jurisdictions.
Potential statehood candidates include U.S. territories, the national capital , or a state created from the partition of an existing state. Residents of the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have each voted for statehood in referendums . Neither proposal has been approved by Congress.
In 2019, District of Columbia mayor Muriel Bowser had dozens of 51-star flags installed on Pennsylvania Avenue, the street linking the U.S. Capitol building with the White House, in anticipation of a hearing in the U.S. House of Representatives regarding potential District of Columbia statehood. On June 26, 2020, the House voted to establish D.C. as the 51st state however, the bill has not and is not expected to pass in the Senate, and the administration of President Donald Trump indicated he would veto the bill if passed by both chambers. It died in the Republican-controlled Senate at the end of the 116th Congress.On January 4, 2021, Delegate Norton reintroduced H.R. 51 early in the 117th Congress with a record 202 co-sponsors.
According to the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry, the United States flag never becomes obsolete. Any approved American flag may continue to be used and displayed until no longer serviceable.
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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.
