Difference between hoisting and unfurling of Indian National Flag on 15 th August n 26 th January

By Vivek Shukla

Senior journalist and columnist

On 15th August, India’s Independence Day, the tricolour, our national flag is hoisted, whereas on the 26th January, India’s Republic Day, it is unfurled.

What is the difference between hoisting the flag and unfurling the same?

Well, on 15th August, the flag is kept folded, down at the middle of the flag pole and is pulled up at the tip of the pole before it is spread out. This is hoisting of a flag. It signifies the country was freed after a span of colonial domination.

On the other hand, on 26th January, the tricolour is unfurled. The flag stays high up at the tip of the flag pole, folded and is spread out with the pull of the rope.

This is unfurling of the tricolour.

It signifies that as a flag of an already free country, it cannot stay hung at a lower height, but is held high above.

This is a small but very significant aspect of how our tricolour is honoured with the country’s history.

We are proud of our national flag.