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UPSC » UPSC CSE Study Materials » General Awareness » Flag of Mexico

Flag of Mexico

This article looks into the history of Mexico’s flag, an important symbol to the country and the meaning of the animal and the bird on the Mexican flag.

Table of Content
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The Mexican flag’s history goes back longer than most other flags, having its beginnings in the Aztec civilisation that thrived in Mexico starting in the 1300s. The present crest and colours of Mexico are the result of various iterations of design throughout the course of the country’s history. The history of the contemporary flag of Mexico is covered in this section of the guide. The Mexican flag is the country’s most significant patriotic emblem, and its history is just as intriguing and illuminating as the history of any other national flag. This article will give brief information about the Flag of Mexico and other relevant information.  

Mexico Flag History 

In the centre of the Mexican flag is a coat of arms that portrays an eagle consuming a snake while sitting on a prickly pear cactus. The artwork is connected to the legend of how Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec empire, was established. When the nomadic Aztecs came upon an eagle perched atop a cactus, the story goes, this would signal to them the location of the future site of their new city. The bird on the Mexican flag is an Eagle. 

They were able to see the picture, but it appeared to them in an improbable location: on a little island in the midst of Lake Texcoco. In order to construct their metropolis, the Aztecs created a series of miniature garden islands that were linked together by causeways. The Spanish then embellished the tale by including the serpent by basing it on an incorrect translation of certain Aztec manuscripts. Although the Aztecs held snakes in high esteem as representations of knowledge and the creative process, the early missionaries gave the picture a new meaning.

It would come to signify, for the Europeans, the conflict between good and evil and the success of the Christian evangelists in Mexico. The coat of arms is now placed in the middle of the flag, and a laurel branch, which represents triumph and honour, may be found beneath it. In preparation for the Olympic Games that were hosted in Mexico City in 1968, the picture was put on the flag. Prior to this particular year, the flag was sometimes shown without the symbol. However, it looked too much like the flag of Italy, which uses the same colours. This was a problem.

The Bird on the Flag of Mexico

In 1984, there was also discussion on the depiction of the coat of arms that would be placed on the backside of the flag. But, it would be depicted incorrectly from the other side. So, in the same year, a PAN deputy submitted a revision to the Law of the National Arms, Flag, and Anthem to make it possible for the eagle to face to the right when the reverse side of the flag is shown. This amendment was intended to remedy the issue. 

The following provisions were added to the statute when it was amended in 1995:

The Mexican Eagle will be shown as standing on its right talon while clutching the coiled snake in its left talon and its beak when the Coat of Arms is printed on the back side of the National Flag.

Conclusion

The Mexican national flag, also known as the Bandera de México, is a vertical tricolour flag consisting of the colours green, white, and red. The national coat of arms is shown in the middle of the white stripe on the flag. Despite the fact that their original connotations have evolved through time, Mexico officially chose these three colours soon after it won its independence from Spain and established the First Mexican Empire, which occurred during the country’s War of Independence. Mexico’s flag history dates back a long time ago.

The Mexican national army has adopted the colours red, white, and green as its official colours. Mexico’s coat of arms is the most prominent symbol. It was patterned after an ancient Aztec symbol that represented Tenochtitlan, which is now Mexico City and was the capital of the Aztec Empire. It brings to mind the story of an eagle perched on a cactus while consuming a snake, which is said to have shown the Aztecs the location where they should establish their metropolis of Tenochtitlan.

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Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the UPSC Examination Preparation.

What is the pattern that uses all three colours?

Answer. The colour green was selected to symbolise freedom from Spanish rule when these colours were first chosen to...Read full

What does the flag of Mexico comprise?

Answer. The national flag of Mexico consists of three horizontal stripes that alternate between green, white, and re...Read full

When does Mexico celebrate its National Flag Day?

Answer. The Mexican flag has such a significant place in Mexico’s flag history and culture that it is honoured...Read full

What's so special about the animal on the Mexican flag?

Answer. The animal on the Mexican flag is a serpent. Although the Aztecs held snakes in high esteem as representatio...Read full

Answer. The colour green was selected to symbolise freedom from Spanish rule when these colours were first chosen to represent the nation. The colour red represented an alliance between the indigenous people of Mexico and the ruling classes of European ancestry, an alliance that was essential to the independence struggle in Mexico. The colour white was chosen to symbolise the chastity of Roman Catholicism when it was introduced.

Answer. The national flag of Mexico consists of three horizontal stripes that alternate between green, white, and red. The pattern was created in 1821, the same year when Mexico at long last won its freedom from Spain.

Answer. The Mexican flag has such a significant place in Mexico’s flag history and culture that it is honoured with its own national holiday on February 24th of each year. This year’s flag-raising ceremony ended in humiliation for Mexico as a large flag was torn during the event by a collapsing metal structure. The Mexican President Enrique Pea Niet attended the ceremony.

Answer. The animal on the Mexican flag is a serpent. Although the Aztecs held snakes in high esteem as representations of knowledge and the creative process, the early missionaries gave the picture a new meaning. It would come to symbolise for the Europeans the conflict between good and evil as well as the success of the Christian evangelism in Mexico.

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