Skip to content
Flagpole Guides
Mexico

Flagpole accessories in Mexico: pulley, rope, finial and more

Published Written by

This page is an English translation of the Spanish original. Where the two versions differ, the Spanish text is the original.

A flagpole is much more than a tube. The pulley, the rope, the cleat and the ball at the top decide how the flag is raised, how it tangles and how long it lasts. Colour-guard staffs have their own parts, some of them named in the Law on the National Arms, Flag and Anthem. This guide describes the most common accessories.

Accessories of an outdoor flagpole

Astabanderas de México includes with all its commercial flagpoles:

  • Revolving anti-wrap pulley: at the top, it turns with the wind so that the flag does not wrap around the pole.
  • Gold ball: the finial at the top.
  • Cleat: the fitting on which the rope is tied once the flag is raised.
  • Nylon rope: the halyard that raises and lowers the flag.
  • Clips: to attach the flag to the rope.
  • Base plate: the fitting at the foot of the pole.
  • Foundation sleeve: of PVC or corrugated stainless steel, it sits inside the concrete and receives the pole.

As options, the same maker offers internal hoisting, a crank and anti-vandal protection. Where a foundation is not possible, it offers floor anchoring systems. The guide to flagpole mechanics explains how they work.

The flag’s fittings

The flag is attached to the rope with snap hooks or other clips that pass through metal eyelets or a reinforced tape on the pole side. On its monumental flags, BHC México uses solid brass eyelets, pear-shaped snap hooks rated at 25 kN, about 2,500 kilograms-force, 4 inch polyamide tape and safety seams in continuous-filament polyester thread at joins and hems.

Accessories of the colour-guard flag

The colour-guard flag has parts with names of their own, several of them in the law:

  • Finial (moharra): the metal tip of the staff. Under article 3, the national flag may carry a bow or tie in the same colours at the foot of the finial.
  • Tie (corbata): the tricolour bow; when a flag is decorated, the decoration is pinned to the tie (article 22).
  • Butt (regatón): the lower end of the staff. When halting, the flag bearer lowers it until it touches the ground about ten centimetres to the right of the right foot (article 28).
  • Flag sling and cup (portabandera and cuja): the flag bearer’s shoulder belt and the cup in which the butt rests during the march (article 27).

BHC México also sells flag slings, bows and covers, pedestals and tripods and display cases. Banderas México offers display cases of pine or mahogany with three glass sides, 2.15 metres high, and bases of brass, aluminium, onyx or wood.

Accessories for indoor and desk staffs

Desk staffs are mounted on heavy bases of cast brass, light brass, onyx or wood, and indoor staffs on pedestals or tripods. For vehicles there are staffs with a clip for the window and diplomatic staffs for the bonnet.

Lighting

Some installations include floodlights to illuminate the flag at night; Grupo Symac shows a lighting system on its monumental flagpoles. The guide to flag lighting covers this topic, and the guide to flagpole maintenance the care of the parts.

Frequently asked questions

Which accessories come with an outdoor flagpole?

According to Astabanderas de México, its commercial flagpoles include a revolving anti-wrap pulley, a gold ball at the top, a cleat, nylon rope, clips, a base plate and a foundation sleeve of PVC or corrugated stainless steel. As options it offers internal hoisting, a crank and anti-vandal systems.

What is the finial?

The metal tip of the staff of a colour-guard or indoor flag. The Law on the National Arms, Flag and Anthem mentions it in article 3: the national flag may carry a bow or tie in the same colours at the foot of the finial (moharra).

What is the flag’s tie for?

The tricolour tie or bow is attached at the foot of the finial, under article 3 of the law. When a flag is decorated, the decoration is pinned to the tie, under article 22.

What is the flag sling?

The shoulder belt worn by the flag bearer of a colour guard. Under article 27 of the law, it is worn so that its cup falls on the right hip, and the butt of the staff is placed in the cup.

Sources

This guide is based on the following sources, most of them in Spanish:

Related guides