Since Mexico’s independence, its unique flag has represented the country’s rich cultural history and resilience. From its colors to the intricate rendering of a serpent-eating eagle, the flag is packed with symbolism and history.
What are the symbols of the Mexican flag?
The three colors of Mexico’s flag hold deep significance for the country and its citizens: green represents hope and victory, white stands for the purity of Mexican ideals and red brings to mind the blood shed by the nation’s heroes.
One of the unique elements of the Mexican flag is its central coat of arms, which depicts an eagle eating a serpent, ornamented with cactus laurels. The flag’s dramatic emblem is based on the legend of how the Mexicas (or Aztecs) traveled from Aztlán to find the place where they could establish their empire. The god Huitzilopochtli advised them that a sign—an eagle devouring a serpent atop a nopal cactus—would appear to them at the exact spot where they should begin construction. On a small island in the middle of a lake, the Mexicas came upon the scene exactly as Huitzilopochtli had described it. They immediately settled there and founded the city of Tenochtitlán, which is now Mexico City, the country’s capital.
When was the Mexican flag created?
Throughout the 11-year fight for Mexican independence, several flags and banners were used. Among the earliest flags was a yellow banner depicting the Virgin of Guadalupe, which was flown by rebellion leader Father Hidalgo and his followers in the revolution of 1810.
When Spain signed the Treaty of Córdoba in 1821, Mexico’s independence became recognized and the first official flag was called the Flag of the Three Guarantees, which represented the allyship of royalist and insurgent armed forces. This flag introduced the current color scheme of Mexico’s national flag; green, white and red diagonal stripes punctuated each with a six-pointed gold star. In this version of the design, white symbolized Catholicism, green represented political independence and red signified unity.
The flag was later modified to feature vertical stripes and a version of the eagle crest was added in 1823 as a symbol of national identity, according to Mexico Daily Post.
Under the government of Benito Juárez, from 1858 to 1872, the official meanings of the colors changed to represent the separation of church and state. Over the years, Mexico has altered and modified the national crest numerous times, reflecting political and social changes. The current version of the Mexican flag was officially adopted on September 16, 1968, by President Gustavo Díaz Ordaz.
When is Flag Day celebrated in Mexico?
Mexico celebrates Flag Day (Día de la Bandera) every year on February 24. Students often sing the El Toque de Bandera anthem as a tradition.
