Folding the National Flag of Canada
There is an official procedure for folding the National Flag of Canada. The flag-folding etiquette was created by the Government of Canada for use by all Canadians. Every flag-folding ceremony is performed in exactly the same manner, no matter the type of ceremony and whether it is military, paramilitary, civil, private or public.
However, many organizations, including the Canadian Armed Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, have their own traditions and customs and, consequently, different terminology is sometimes used.
Did you know?
The flag should never be folded into a triangle. This tradition is used by other nations and is frequently represented in popular media. Canada has its own flag-folding etiquette, and this must be respected every time the National Flag of Canada is folded.
The different steps to fold the National Flag of Canada are the following:
Steps:
- The flag is folded in half along its long axis. The bottom of the flag (to the left in this image) is folded under.
- The flag is again folded in half along its long axis. The lower part of the flag (to the left in this image) is folded under.
- The flag is folded in half along its short axis. The right part of the flag (toward the bottom in this image) is folded over.
- The flag is folded in half along its short axis. The left part of the flag (toward the bottom in this image) is folded over.
- The flag is folded in half along its short axis. The left part of the flag (toward the bottom in this image) is folded under.
- The flag is folded in half along its short axis. The left part of the flag (toward the bottom in this image) is folded over.
- This is what the flag looks like when properly folded.
These steps may be executed by groups of two, seven or nine people. Watch the animations on the Canadian Heritage website for a demonstration of the procedures.
Quick reference tools
Download a reference tool as well as a foldable paper flag to help perfect the proper procedure for folding the National Flag of Canada.
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