Flag Placement

How you place flags depends on the number of flags and the ranking of each flag. The location of the position of honour depends on the number of flags flown and the chosen configuration.

Find out how to place:

• Two flags
• Three flags
• Multiple flags
• Vertical flags

Two Flags

When two flags are displayed, to an observer facing the flags, the position of honour is on the left. For example, when Canada’s flag and B.C.’s flag are flown together, Canada’s flag is on the left and B.C.’s is on the right. In B.C., when our flag is flown with another provincial or state flag, B.C.’s flag holds the position of honour.

Examples:

Three Flags

When three flags are displayed, the position of honour is in the centre. To an observer facing the display, the second-ranking flag (in order of precedence) is placed to the left of centre and the other to the right.

Example:

Multiple Flags

When more than three flags are flown, the position of honour is furthest to the left, followed by other flags in order of precedence:

1. The National Flag of Canada
2. The flags of other sovereign nations in alphabetical order (if applicable)
3. The flags of the provinces of Canada (in the order in which they joined Confederation)
4. The flags of the territories of Canada (in the order in which they joined Confederation)
5. The flags of municipalities/cities
6. Banners of organizations
7. Historical Flags

Example:

Vertical Flags

If hung vertically, the flag should be placed so that the upper part of the Flag points to the left and the sun to the right from the point of view of the observer facing the Flag. Flags hung vertically should be hung so that the canton is in the upper left corner.

Example: