Information on flag displays
Article Flag Displays
Helpful tips in our photo galleries
It’s easy to make mistakes when displaying flags – flying the wrong flag, or flying the right flag the wrong way. In our photo galleries, we explain the correct way to display the flag and how to avoid mistakes.
A closer look ...
The European flag (Part 1)
In the photo at far left, the European flag is properly hoisted. The flag on the right in the same photo, however, is upside down, as you can see from the stars. The flag in the photo below does not conform to official requirements: The top points of the five upper stars point upwards, while those of the seven lower stars point downwards. In the third photo, the stars are positioned correctly, but the appliqué on the vertical flag makes it look as though the stars are surrounded by a dark ring.
Common mistakes
Empty flagpoles
If flags are to be hoisted on only some of the available flagpoles, then they should be hoisted on flagpoles next to each other, not leaving any empty flagpoles between them. This applies above all to displays of the European and federal (institutions) flag, which are intended to express the close relationship between the two.
Exceptions should be limited to special situations, for example at the Federal Chancellery, when various foreign flags must be hoisted in short succession on the centre of three flagpoles. Flags should always be hoisted on the flagpoles in the superior position, i.e. on the left of an observer facing the building, so that empty flagpoles will be on the right.
Information for indivuals and businesses
The flag “with the eagle” (Part 1)
The federal institutions flag is a special type of federal flag which bears the federal shield. All federal offices are to display the federal institutions flag. Other persons or organizations flying the federal institutions flag constitutes an administrative offence under Section 124 of the Act on Administrative Offences. The same applies to flags bearing the federal eagle which may be confused with the federal institutions flag, such as the federal flag bearing the federal coat of arms.
The risk of confusion is defined as existing when, at a three-second glance, neutral third parties receive the impression that the site where such a flag is being flown is a federal building or that official activity is being conducted. Eagle flags that are clearly works of imagination may be used without fear of violating the law.
Source: Michael Worbs
Carnival costumes with the federal shield (Larger version opens in new window)
