When we fold our American flag we fold the stripes toward the stars, for whereas the stripes represent the 13 original colonies that founded our republic and they are now embodied in the 50 sovereign states represented by the stars so that the stars cover the stripes on the flag.

The 1st fold of our American Flag is a symbol of life.
The 2nd fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life.
The 3rd fold is made in honor and remembrances of the Veterans who have departed their prospective ranks who gave a portion of their life for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world, not to have been in vain and shall never be forgotten.
The 4th fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, for it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war for his divine guidance.
The 5th fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of the immortal Stephen Decatur, Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right, but it is still our country, right or wrong.
The 6th fold of our flag represents where our hearts lie andn it is with our hearts that we pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of American, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
The 7th fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through these same armed forces that our country is protected and our flag protected against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.
The 8th fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the Valley of the Shadow of Death, that we might see the light of the day, and this fold is made to honor a Mother, for whom it flies on Mothers Day.
The 9th fold is a tribute to womanhood, for it has been through their faith, love, loyality and devotion that the characters of men and who have made this country great have been molded.
The 10th fold is a tribute to fathers, for they too have given of their sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were his first born.
The 11th fold of our Flag , for in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, this represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies in their eyes the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.
The 12th and final fold, for in the eyes of a Christian Citizen, this represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies in their eyes God the Father, God the son and God the Holy Ghost.

When our American Flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, which reminds us of our national motto, In God We Trust. When the American Flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on an appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the Sailors and Marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, and they, followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, have preserved for us the rights, Privileges and Freedoms that we are enjoying today.