National Flags
Flags of nations are normally accorded the position of honour while flown on home soil. A national flag is also normally flown from the stern or mast of a vessel registered to that country while in its own seas, or while in harbours abroad, as well as at high sea when signalled by another vessel to identify its nationality.
It is normal practice for a vessel to fly the national flag of the country it is visiting from the bow or foremast of the vessel while it is that nation's harbour.
Some countries prohibit the display of their national flag on its civilian and merchant vessels by statute. Instead, a civil ensign is flown which usually shows the national flag in the upper hoist (the uppermost corner nearest the mast, sometimes called the canton), and a plain, coloured background. For example, civil and merchant vessels in Great Britain may not fly the Royal Union Flag of Great Britain. Instead, they must fly the official civil or merchant ensign, which is a blue ensign showing the Royal Union Flag in the upper hoist. By contrast, Royal Navy vessels fly the white ensign, which is the St George's cross (red cross on a white background) with the Royal Union Flag in the upper hoist.
National flags are national symbols which represent the nation, its armed forces, its institutions, universities, colleges, civil and military installations, government offices, airports, and other sites, as well as the people of that nation. In most countries, there is no law requiring its citizens to display the national flag, however, in most places, civilians are permitted and encourage to do so.
A national flag is always treated with dignity and respect. While flown in its home country, it takes precedence over all other flags, including flags of other sovereign nations. The only exception to this practice is in the United Kingdom, or other Commonwealth countries, where the personal standards of members of the Royal Family, or of Her Majesty's official representatives, are always given precedence, even over the national flag.
A national flag is never used as a covering, masking, barrier, or decorative cloth. It never covers a table, seat, or floor. Indeed, a national flag should never be tied down, furled up, or in any way hindered. A national flag is only properly displayed from a flagpole or mast when it is flying aloft and free. This means the flag is properly attached to the flagpole or halyard, and the 'fly' is allowed to fly free with the wind, and not tied down or lashed to any object.
When a national flag is raised on a flagpole or mast, is it done so quickly. When it is lowered, it is done so slowly and with dignity. during the raising and lowering of a national flag, all those present should face the flag, men should remove their hats, and all should remain silent. Persons present in uniform should salute.
A national flag is normally not flown at night, unless illuminated.

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