Tradition
I want to go over some of the symbolism seen in today’s State Funeral. Much of this information is taken from the Military District of Washington’s Fact Sheets. The note on the catafalque is found at the website for the Architect of the Capitol.
Draping the casket: This custom began during the Napoleonic Wars (1796-1815). The dead carried from the field of battle on a caisson were covered with flags. When the U.S. flag covers the casket, it is placed so the union blue field is at the head and over the left shoulder. It is not placed in the grave and is not allowed to touch the ground.
Dipping of the flag: If you watched the transfer ceremonies, where the casket was transferred onto and off of the horse-drawn caisson, you might have noticed that the color-bearer bearing the flag with the Seal of the President of the United States held his flag out at about a 30 degree angle. This is called “dipping the flag” and is a sign of respect, similar to the salute. In fact, for the color-bearer the dip of his colors stands in the place of his salute. By statute, the American flag may not be dipped to any person or thing.
Horse-drawn Caisson: During the funeral procession, six black horses pulled the flag-draped coffin upon the caisson from Constitution Avenue to the Capitol building. They are grouped into three pairs; the lead pair is in front, the swing pair follows and nearest the caisson is the wheel pair. Although all six animals are saddled, only those on the left have mounted riders. This is a tradition that began in the early horse-drawn-artillery days when one horse of each pair was mounted, while the other carried provisions and feed.
The Caparisoned (or Riderless) Horse: This horse walked behind the cassion and carried a pair of President Reagan’s boots reversed in the stirrups. This practice dates back to the time when armies fielded many mounted troops. Over the course of time the rider and the animal became very close and it was quite an adjustment for either the rider or the animal when the other would die. For this ceremony, a pair of boots are set facing backward into the stirrups to symbolize the last mounting by the rider; that never again will the rider and his mount ride together again. This is a military honor accorded to military officers of the rank of colonel and above. Presidents of the United States, as Commanders-in-Chief, are also accorded this honor regardless of prior miliary service.
21 Gun Salute: Salutes are generally done as a sign of respect and peaceful intentions. The practice of saluting was originally done to demostrate that the person saluting was unarmed and presented no danger. The practice dates back before the time of firearms, so a hand salute is rendered using the right (or sword) hand. A unit at sea or which possessed artillery, would demonstrate the same by firing off its ammunition and rendering itself helpless until the time to reload was taken. The 21 gun salute was used starting in 1841, and was standardized internationally in 1875.
Missing Man Formation: US Air Force fighters fly in what is usually referred to as a “finger four” formation of two flights of two aircraft. The planes traditionally fly from north to south. At the appropriate time, the lead element of the second flight (the #3 plane) will pull straight up, leave the formation and fly off to the west, symbolizing that the person being honored has “gone west” and will not return.
The catafalque — a simple bier of rough pine boards and covered with black cloth — was hastily constructed in 1865 to support the casket of Abraham Lincoln. The catafalque has been used for all those who have lain in state in the Capitol Rotunda since that time. No law, written rule, or regulation specifies who may lie in state; use of the Rotunda is controlled by concurrent action of the House and Senate. Any person who has rendered distinguished service to the nation may lie in state if the family so wishes and Congress approves.
MickC @ June 9, 2004