Short answer: Flags are flown at half-staff to show mourning, respect, or national distress, often on the death of prominent officials or after major tragic events, and sometimes by presidential or state proclamations. Context and key points
- Meaning and purpose
- Half-staff is a gesture of mourning or solemn respect. It signals collective grief or tribute beyond individual loss, and can be invoked for national or local occasions [web results describing half-staff meaning and symbolism].
- Who can order it
- The President of the United States, governors, and certain government authorities can issue proclamations to lower flags to half-staff for specific individuals or events [general flag etiquette knowledge and source summaries].
- Typical triggers
- Death of national or state leaders or other prominent officials, national days of mourning, or other events announced by authorities. Proclamations can designate half-staff for particular dates or periods [summary sources on half-staff practices].
- How it’s applied
- The flag is lowered from the top of the staff to a position above the bottom, typically by an amount roughly the height of the flag or a standard fraction of the flagpole, and raised again at the end of the period if not continuing overnight. The specifics are outlined in flag etiquette codes and agency guidelines [flag etiquette references].
- Common questions
- Is half-staff the same as half-mast? In American English, half-staff refers to flags on land; half-mast is the nautical term used for ships. Both indicate mourning in their respective contexts [flag terminology discussions].
If you want, I can tailor this to a specific country or situation (e.g., your national or local practices, particular recent proclamations, or how to respond if you’re organizing a ceremony).
