Flagpole accessories – finial, halyard, cleat and more
Published Written by Flagpole Guides
This page is an English translation of the Swedish original. Where the two versions differ, the Swedish text is the original.
A flagpole consists of more than the pole itself. The finial, pulley, halyard and cleat allow the flag to be raised and lowered, and several accessories make the pole safer, quieter and easier to look after. Here is an overview from top to bottom.
At the top
- Finial: the round top of the pole. According to Riksarkivet, the classic Swedish flagpole has a gilded finial. The finial protects the top from moisture and is often built together with the pulley.
- Pulley or sheave: a small wheel at the top that the halyard runs over. A pulley that runs stiffly or has rusted solid wears the line.
- Rotating top or pennant rotator: a top that turns with the wind, so that the pennant does not wrap itself around the pole. It is particularly useful for a pennant that stays up around the clock.
Halyard and fastenings
- Halyard: usually a braided polyester line that withstands UV light and does not stretch much. It is worth bearing in mind that the line wears from wind and sun.
- Flag clips: hooks or snap hooks that attach the flag and pennant to the halyard, often one for the flag’s upper and one for its lower corner.
- Cleat: the fitting further down the pole where the line is made fast. The whole pull of the flag goes through the cleat.
- Halyard tensioner or hook: keeps the line taut and away from the pole, so that it does not slap and make noise in the wind.
- Halyard box or lockable hatch: covers the cleat or line. With an internal halyard, the line runs inside the pole and is reached through a hatch that can be locked.
At ground level
- Ground sleeve: a tube set into a concrete foundation that the pole is inserted into, so that the pole can be lifted out and replaced.
- Hinged base: a base with a hinge or bolts that allows the pole to be lowered, which makes replacing the halyard, pulley and finial easier.
- Foundation: cast in concrete or prefabricated. Its size depends on the pole’s height, ground conditions and the manufacturer’s instructions. More in the guide to flagpole installation.
- Support legs or stays: sometimes used for wall poles or temporary poles.
Flags and pennants
- Flag: Riksarkivet’s rule of thumb is a flag length of about one quarter of the pole’s height. More in the guide to flag sizes.
- Pennant: split into blue and yellow, according to Riksarkivet between one third and one half of the pole’s height and with the blue field at the top.
- Storm flag: a smaller flag for windy days.
Lighting
Under the Swedish recommendations, a floodlit flag may stay up after sunset. Common set-ups are one or two floodlights at the foot of the pole, or lighting mounted on the pole. More in the guide to flag lighting.
Overview
| Part | Function |
|---|---|
| Finial with pulley | Guides the halyard at the top |
| Halyard and flag clips | Carry and attach the flag |
| Cleat | Where the line is made fast |
| Ground sleeve or foundation | Holds the pole in place |
| Hinged base | Allows the pole to be lowered |
| Pennant | Adorns the pole when the flag is not flying |
| Rotating top | Keeps the pennant from wrapping |
| Internal halyard or lockable halyard box | Protection against theft and vandalism |
| Lighting | The flag can stay up after sunset |
How the parts work together is described in the guide to flagpole mechanics.
Frequently asked questions
Which parts does a flagpole usually have?
A flagpole normally has a finial with a pulley at the top, a halyard, a cleat where the line is made fast and flag clips that attach the flag. In addition there is a ground sleeve or foundation, and many also have a pennant for days when no flag is flying.
What colour is the finial on a Swedish flagpole?
The traditional Swedish flagpole is white with a gilded finial, according to Riksarkivet. There is no rule about the finial’s colour.
Why does the pennant wrap itself around the pole?
When the wind changes direction, the pennant does not always follow and wraps itself around the pole. A rotating pennant holder or top turns with the wind and reduces the problem.
How is a flag protected against theft?
With an internal halyard, the line runs inside the pole behind a lockable hatch, and a lockable halyard box can cover the cleat. Such solutions are common at businesses, associations and holiday homes that stand empty.
Sources
This guide is based on the following sources, most of them in Swedish:
- Sveriges flagga – flaggstänger och vimpel – Riksarkivet
- Flaggregler och flaggtyper – Stiftelsen Sveriges Nationaldag
Related guides
- Flagpole mechanicsHow a flagpole works: the halyard over the pulley, the cleat, internal halyards, rotating tops and hinged bases – and how wind affects pole and flag.
- Flagpole maintenanceFlagpole maintenance in Sweden: halyard, pulley and foundation, cleaning glass fibre and aluminium, painting a wooden pole and caring for the flag.
- Flagpole repairCommon flagpole faults: a snapped halyard, a stiff pulley, a loose finial, glass-fibre damage and a leaning pole – and when poles are repaired or replaced.
- Flag lightingA floodlit flag may stay up after sunset in Sweden. Ways of lighting a flagpole, what electrical safety rules say and when lighting needs permission.