Burning Flags 20 November 2006, Pepino Video loop i Flag desecration is a term applied to various acts that intentionally deface or dishonor a flag. Often, such action is intended to make a political statement against a country. Some countries have laws forbidding methods of defacement, such as burning, or forbidding particular uses considered improper, such as use for commercial purposes. Little paper flags of postindustrial countries are popular decoration for parties and Christmas trees in some countries.