A folded flag should appear as what symbol?

• A. A cocked hat which reminds us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington and the sailors and marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones.
• B. An eagle emblem with a shield.
• C. A star surrounded by stripes.
• D. A wreath of laurel leaves.

Answer: (A)

The symbol conveyed by a folded flag is a cocked hat. When the flag is folded for ceremonial display, it’s arranged to form a triangle that resembles the colonial three-cornered hat worn by soldiers and sailors in America’s early history. This shape honors the service of the troops who fought under General Washington and the sailors who served under Captain John Paul Jones. The other symbols listed don’t come from the folding process itself or its traditional meaning, so they aren’t the intended representation of a folded flag.