Flags in Grief: Flags at Half-Mast, Flag Draped Caskets and Funeral Cortege

Flags in Grief: 
Flags at Half-Mast, Flag draped Caskets & Funeral Cortege.

Flag at Half-Mast or Half-Staff

The origin of the custom of lowering a flag at ‘half-mast’ to indicate mourning is a little unclear. Its observance appears to date back to the sixteenth century, as a custom of the sea, which has spread to the land and became universal. A sailors superstition perhaps, the flag of mourning is flown at half-mast to leave space for death’s imaginary flag to be flown above it.  It is a sign that death has conquered, and that the invisible flag of the death is flying over the lowered colours of the vanquished. The half-staff tradition has developed important meaning over time.

The earliest record we have of the lowering of a flag to signify a death was an occasion in 1612, when the Master of the 'Hearts Ease', William Hall, was murdered by Eskimos while taking part in an expedition in search of the North West Passage. On rejoining her consort, the vessel's flag was flown trailing over the stern as a mark of mourning. On her return to London, the 'Hearts Ease' again flew her flag over the stern and it was recognised as an appropriate gesture of mourning.

World's First stamps showing a Flag at Half-Mast: Burma 1948
     Issued to commemorate the anniversary of the assassination of Burma's leaders      in the fight for independence.

In the United States, the earliest reference to half-staff, or half-mast, occurred in 1799. All Navy vessels were ordered by the Navy Department to fly the American flag at half-mast when George Washington died. 

Photo Courtesy: Oded Deutch, Israel

A further sign of mourning is to attach black ribbons tied as a bow to the top of the flag. If mourning is to be observed in a parade or procession, where a flag is carried, two streamers of black crepe are attached to the spearhead, allowing the streamers to fall naturally. The use of black crepe in such a manner shall only be by an order of the government.

Flag Code of India stipulates ‘Half-mast is meant hauling down the Flag to one-half the distance between the top and guy-line and in absence of the guy-line, half of the staff’. To achieve this position the flag should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then slowly lowered to the half-mast position, but before lowering the Flag for the day, it shall be raised again to the peak. 

 Here is a selection of Postage Stamps showing Flags at Half-Mast from across the World.

Flag Draped Caskets

At the time of mourning Flags are draped over the coffins of national heroes. The association of flags with funerals began centuries ago when caskets of Royalty was decorated with symbols of authority.

Guarding Nelson’s Body

Lord Nelson (1758 – 1805) English naval commander who died during the Battle of Trafalgar (1805) in the Napoleonic Wars. 

Perhaps, World's First Stamp Depicting Funeral Scene is on Atahualpa: Peru 1918

Funeral Scene, Timisoara Uprising, Romania 1989.

In the post-independence India, the first National State Mourning was observed when Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation died on January 30, 1948.

New Delhi 31 the most immediate the most immediate His Highness Nawab Balasinor. Government of India regret Mahatma Gandhi was victim of shooting outrage. Gandhiji expired yesterday evening.  Cremation will take place Saturday 4 P.M. Prime minister has broadcast Saturday 31st be observed as day of fasting and prayer suggest offices should close entirely and flags half mast from sunrise =

Funeral Cortege

“cortege” is the procession when the coffin is transported to or from the ceremony - and this is done “in style”, with a elegant hearse (car or horse-wagon) and some cars with the family and guests following (or the guests might also be walking by foot).

In State funerals in the United States, a Caisson (a two-wheeled ammunition wagon), is used in place of a gun-carriage.

Funéral of Charles de Gaulle; November 1, 1970

The Olympics and Flags; Part-II

.....Continued from earlier issue.

 FLAGS in Olympiads: Facts, Ecstasies, and Agonies

Flag faux pas at the Games

Even before the formal opening of the London 2012 Games, there was kick off row over flag. The North Korean  rightfully protested displaying  South Korean flag alongside their women soccer players at the Glasgow venue.

Interestingly though North Korea and South Korea, the two countries' teams marched together under the Unification Flag in the opening ceremonies of the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney and, the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens,

  Taiwan (formerly Formosa) Outcry

 

Taiwan expressed anger after the Olympic organizers said the island’s National flag  had been taken down from London’s display on 27 July 2012 as demanded by the Chinese embassy. The National flag was removed from a  row  hanging over Regent Street, and replaced with that of the Taiwan’s Olympic Committee. 

 Gate-crasher in Indian Contingent

A mystery woman (later, identified from Bangaluru, India) was found gate-crashed into the Indian contingent’s march-past walking besides India’s Flag-bearer Sushil Kumar on the opening day of London 2012 Games.

India’s Flag Bearers

Balbir Singh representing Field Hockey was selected for two consecutive Olympic Games first in 1952 Helsinki Games and the again in 1956 Melbourne Games

  Balbir Singh and Gurdev Singh of India feature in a stamp issued by Dominican Republic in 1958. Balbir Singh is on the right on the stamp image. Gurdev Singh is on the left.




 

Gurbachan Singh Randhawa (Athlete), Tokyo 1964

 Zafar Iqbal (Field Hockey), Los Angeles, 1984

 Kartar Singh Dhillon (Wrestling); Seoul 1988

Shiney Abraham-Wilson (Athlete), Barcelona 1992

Pargat Singh (Field Hockey) carried the National flag at the centenary Olympic Games in Atlanta 1996

Leander Paes (Tennis), Sydney 2000

Anju George (Athlete), Athens 2004

The Unforgettable Salute at the XIX Olympiad, Mexico 1968

The Black Panther Salute at the 1968 Mexico Olympics was a protest made by the African American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos; the athletes raised fist gesture at the Olympic Stadium in Mexico City. The Australian competitor, Peter Norman, also wore a human rights badge on his shirt during the ceremony to show his support to the two Americans. The event was one of the most overtly political statements in the history of the modern Olympic Games. Tommie Smith stated in his autobiography, Silent Gesture, that the gesture was not a "Black Power" salute, but in fact a "human rights salute".
  Time magazine showed the five-ring Olympic logo with the words, "Angrier, Nastier, Uglier", instead of "Faster, Higher, Stronger". Back home, they were subject to abuse and they and their families received death threats.

Changing Flags in Opening and Closing Ceremonies

North Rhodesia flew their distinctive colonial flag during Tokyo 1964 opening ceremony, but came out with their very own independent Zambian National flag on the closing day when the country’s name also changed to Zambia.

Similarly, Athletes from East Germany and West Germany competed together as the United Team of Germany from 1956–1964. It was for the last time flown in the  opening ceremony of the Tokyo Games. However,  both the German teams chose to display their distinctive National flags during the closing ceremony.

In Poor Tastes

Beginning in 1968, Olympic officials have dealt harshly with any kind of protest during or after an event.

 
But exactly after four years another controversy arose during Medal presentation ceremony of the Field Hockey in Munich 1972 Olympic received jeers from around the world. After all, 11 Pakistani players wound up with lifetime suspensions.
Convinced that they (Pakistanis) had been cheated  of victory against West Germans in the final, the Pakistan team ran amok, They refused to face the West German Flag when the national anthem played during medal presentation ceremony. The result: a ban for life. Which, after a high-level apology, were reduced to two . Reports also mention that the Pakistani players handled their silver medals disrespectfully. According to the story in The Washington Post, the team's manager apologized, by saying, "We are the victims. If there is some doubt in the mind of the Germans about the misunderstanding, then I apologize. The boys were only mad at the umpiring. These boys are champions, and they meant no disrespect either to the German people, the government or the flag."

Star Spangled Banner Disrespect

The 400m gold and silver medalists Matthews and Collett of the US  were given a hostile reception by the crowd as they misbehaved and adopted a lax attitude on the winner’s podium. While the ‘Star Spangled banner’ played and the national flags were raised, the two athlete casually chatted to each other. The IOC and the US Olympic Federation banned them from taking part in any future Olympic events. 

Munich Massacre,1972

 The World was Shocked

 Munich Olympic played host to the most infamous ‘Black September’ group which killed two Israeli athletes  and took another nine as hostages at the Olympic village, just six days before the end of the Games. In a bid to save the hostages the German police storm the gang which ultimately ensued a bloodbath in which all the hostages, five of the ‘Black September’ terrorists along with one policeman and a helicopter pilot were all killed.

The Olympic Movement could not be snuffed out by this lethal hit. The outgoing President of the IOC Avery Brundage declared,""The Games must go on. We cannot allow a handful of terrorists to destroy this nucleus of International Cooperation and Goodwill that we have in the Olympic Movement.”
 < San Marino honours  IOC President Brundage

The picture at right dated September 6, 1972 showing the Olympic flag waving at half-mast during the commemoration ceremony for the victims of a hostage-taking of Israeli athletes during the Munich 1972 Olympic Games in the Olympic stadium. Photo: AFP

To be  continued ......