As a British citizen, I can look on the Stars and Stripes with an objective eye. The America flag certainly seems to be more important to the American people than the United Kingdom flag is in the UK. Its significance seems to lie in its symbolism and its history. In the UK, we take our flag for granted. I've been to a lot of countries in the world and it's safe to say that no other country flies its flag as often as in the US. The British tend to bring out the flag when there's an important sporting occasion and we want to show our support for the team, usually for soccer, rugby or cricket. The America flag is flown on more public buildings and private homes too.

The symbolism associated with flags gives an insight into a nation's consciousness. It's been said that the stars of the America flag represent a goal to be reached and the stripes signify the sunrays coming down from above. The flag is tied in with the Pledge of Allegiance, the Constitution and the upholding of liberty. It has evolved over a number of years, having gone through twenty-six changes, into the flag we know today. The final America flag design was achieved in 1960, after Hawaii had joined the United States.

Images of the Southern flag are still used today, and a lot of southerners like to fly their old America flag as a display of their love of the South. Some people embrace this flag as a show of defiance, the South will rise again and so on. Given its association with the slave trade and racial conflict of the South, a lot of people find the flying of this flag to be offensive.

There are numerous rules and guidelines covering the use and display of the America flag. Often, these guidelines are ignored. The flag is not supposed to be used to advertise anything, to be draped over vehicles or to be displayed on the side of garbage trucks etc. It should not be used on anything disposable like a cushion cover. Respect for the flag is paramount and the ultimate sin is to burn the flag. Anti America protesters around the world have burned the America flag on occasion, as have anti Vietnam War protesters within the US itself. A flag is a powerful symbol and none more so than in America where the citizens had to fight a war to gain their independence.