Flag folding at a military funeral.

The American flag folding ceremony is a longstanding tradition that takes place during military funerals. Each of its 13 folds has special symbolic significance, with the final fold that creates a hat shape is thought to represent General George Washington’s iconic tricorn hat. The exact origin and date of this practice is unknown, though some sources point to it beginning with the Gold Star Mothers of America or an Air Force Chaplain stationed at the United States Air Force Academy. It is believed that each of the 13 folds are a tribute to the original 13 colonies.

Read more about it here: https://www.military.com/.../meaning-behind-13-flag-folds...