The history of the Mexican flag
The Mexican flag, a symbol of independence and sovereignty, traces its origins back to ancient Aztec culture. The evolution of the Mexican flag into its modern form reflects the nation’s rich history and the unity of Mexicans.
From 1521 to 1821, Mexico, then called New Spain, was a Spanish colony. During these long three centuries of colonial rule, various flags were used to represent changes in Spanish rule, military power, and government.
The first Mexican flag was designed by Miguel Hidalgo, who was a leader of the independence movement. The flag featured the Virgin of Guadalupe and the words “Mexicans, Viva Mexico” (Mexicans, Long Live Mexico).
Other standards also were used during the war.
José María Morelos used a flag with the image of the Virgin Mary, to which was added a blue and white emblem with a crowned eagle on a cactus above a three-arched bridge and the letters V.V.M. (“Viva la Virgen María”).
The Revolutionary Army also used a flag with white, blue, and red vertical stripes.
The modern Mexican flag began to take shape in the early 19th century. The first use of green, white, and red colors was on the flag of the United Army of the Three Guarantees after independence from Spain in 1821.
The Mexican tricolor flag
In 1821, Mexico finally achieved its independence from Spain, and a new flag was officially adopted. This flag, which is still used today, features three vertical stripes in green, white, and red, with the Mexican coat of arms in the center.
The flag was adopted as a symbol of hope, unity, and the sacrifices made by national heroes.
The green stripe represented hope and the independence movement, while the white symbolized unity and the purity of Mexican ideals. The red stripe stood for the blood of national heroes who fought for the country’s freedom.
This flag became a key symbol of Mexico’s emerging national identity and sovereignty. Over time, it would evolve and be refined, but it remained firmly rooted in the country’s struggle for independence and its commitment to unity.
Throughout its history, the Mexican flag has undergone various changes.
At first, an eagle perched on a cactus was crowned, then the crown was removed and a snake was added. In 1864, during the brief period of French intervention in Mexico, the flag was adapted for the Second Mexican Empire.
This version included the crowned eagle from the coat of arms, as well as a different color scheme to reflect the imperial nature of the regime. However, this variation was short-lived, and with the fall of the Second Mexican Empire, the flag reverted to its original design.
In 1984, the Mexican government established strict guidelines for the use and display of the flag, which include rules about its size, placement, and handling. The flag is considered a sacred national symbol and must be treated with respect and dignity.
For example, it should never be used as a decoration or placed on the ground, and it should never be flown at half-mast unless it is in mourning for a national hero or a significant event.
Viceroyalty of New Spain (1521–1785)
The Cross of Burgundy was the main flag of the Spanish Empire from the early 1500s to 1785. It consisted of a red saltire cross on a white background, which was associated with the Habsburg dynasty (the ruling family of Spain during that period).
The flag was used for the Spanish military and in New Spain as the official flag for most of the colonial era. Some versions, particularly in military or naval contexts, included escudos (coats of arms) at the ends of the cross.
Viceroyalty of New Spain (1785–1821)
In 1785, King Charles III of Spain introduced the new red and yellow flag.
This flag became the official flag of Spain and was used in Spanish territories, including New Spain. This flag featured three horizontal stripes, with red on the top and bottom and a wider yellow stripe in the middle.
From 1785 to 1821, this flag would have been flown alongside or in place of the Cross of Burgundy flag. Mexico continued to use Spanish flags until its independence in 1821 when it adopted its flag as a newly independent nation.
Flag of the Three Guarantees (1821)
The Flag of the Three Guarantees, also known as the Trigarante Army flag.
This flag is considered the first official national flag of Mexico. It symbolized the unity of both royalist and rebel forces that came together under the Plan of Iguala, a key event in Mexico’s fight for independence.
The flag marked what Iturbide called the first year of sovereignty.
The flag is rectangular with three equal diagonal stripes of green, white, and red. The green color symbolized Independence, the white color was a symbol of religion and the red one symbolized the union of the nation.
Each stripe features a six-pointed gold star, for a total of three gold stars.
Flag of the First Mexican Empire (1822-1823)
The official flag of the First Mexican Empire was adopted after independence. The flag had three vertical stripes of green (independence), white (religion), and red (union), similar to the Flag of the Three Guarantees.
The coat of arms in the center of the white stripe of the flag included a crowned eagle surrounded by a laurel wreath, symbolizing victory, monarchy, and independence under Emperor Agustín de Iturbide.
Flag of the Mexican Republic (1823-1864)
This flag was adopted after the fall of the First Mexican Empire and represented the establishment of the Mexican Republic. The flag featured three vertical stripes of green (hope), white (purity), and red (religion).
The emblem included a golden eagle perched on a cactus, devouring a snake, surrounded by a wreath of oak and laurel branches, reflecting the Aztec foundation myth of Tenochtitlán and national sovereignty.
Flag the Second Mexican Empire (1864-1867)
This flag was used during the Second Mexican Empire under Emperor Maximilian I. The flag of the Second Mexican Empire retained the traditional three vertical stripes of green (hope), white (purity), and red (religion).
The emblem was more elaborate, reflecting European monarchic influences.
It featured a crowned eagle with outstretched wings, perched on a cactus, and surrounded by a complex design of imperial regalia, including a golden border, banners, and the collar of the Order of the Mexican Eagle.
The design emphasized Maximilian’s imperial authority and Mexico’s alignment with European traditions.
Flag of the Mexican Republic (1867-1880)
After the fall of the Second Mexican Empire, the flag of the Mexican Republic was restored and marked the end of imperial rule and the reestablishment of the republic, symbolizing Mexico’s sovereignty and independence.
The flag featured 3 vertical stripes of green (hope), white (union), and red (blood).
Flag of the Mexican Republic (1880-1893)
In 1880, the coat of arms on the Mexican flag was slightly redesigned. The design was updated to reflect a more detailed and ornate style, in keeping with the trends in heraldry and national symbols of the era.
The eagle became more detailed and stylized, with a stronger emphasis on its feathers and more dynamic positioning. The pose of the eagle (side profile) was retained but made slightly more expressive and intricate.
The depiction of the snake was refined, often with more visible scales or a slightly altered position. Laurel and oak branches were made more proportional, with greater attention to the leaves and overall symmetry.
Flag of the Mexican Republic (1893-1899)
This flag maintained the traditional tricolor of green, white, and red vertical stripes, symbolizing hope, unity, and the blood of independence heroes.
The emblem was updated to feature a golden eagle perched on a cactus, devouring a snake, a symbol of Mexico’s Aztec heritage. The eagle was surrounded by a wreath of oak and laurel branches, tied at the base with a ribbon in the national colors.
This version introduced a more detailed and artistic rendering of the eagle and wreath, emphasizing national pride and identity during the Porfiriato and early revolutionary period.
Flag of the Mexican Republic (1899-1916)
In 1899, another redesign of the Mexican flag occurred. This update introduced a more formalized and symmetrical version of the national emblem, with notable refinements to align it with contemporary design trends and symbolism of the era.
The eagle was depicted in a more realistic and detailed manner, with a focus on anatomical accuracy. The pose of the eagle (facing left in profile, with outstretched wings) was made more static and dignified to reflect strength and authority.
The snake became slimmer and more intricately detailed, with a realistic appearance.
The cactus (nopal) and the rocks below the eagle were given more realistic shading and texture, adding depth to the scene. The laurel and oak branches were refined, becoming more uniform and symmetrical.
This design emphasized balance and harmony. The overall style leaned toward a neoclassical influence, with cleaner lines and a formal presentation, moving away from the more ornate or hand-drawn styles of earlier years.
Flag of the Mexican Republic (1916–1934)
This flag kept the iconic vertical tricolor, symbolizing hope, unity, and the sacrifices of independence. The emblem underwent a significant update. The golden eagle, perched on a cactus, was simplified and made more proportionate.
The design emphasized clean lines and balance, reflecting efforts to modernize national symbols during and after the Mexican Revolution. The wreath of oak and laurel branches was retained, tied with a ribbon in the national colors.
This version laid the foundation for the current design.
Flag of the United Mexican States (1934–1968)
The flag featured the traditional tricolor of green, white, and red vertical stripes.
The emblem included a more detailed and artistic golden eagle perched on a cactus, devouring a snake. The eagle was surrounded by a wreath of oak and laurel branches, tied with a ribbon in the national colors.
This version refined the eagle’s design to make it more elegant and realistic, emphasizing the cultural and historical importance of the Aztec heritage. It remained in use until minor updates were made in 1968 for the Olympics in Mexico City.
Current Flag of Mexico
The current flag of Mexico, adopted in 1968, features three vertical stripes of green (hope and the independence movement), white (unity and the purity of ideals), and red (blood of the national heroes).
The emblem in the center is a golden eagle perched on a cactus, devouring a snake, which is a reference to the Aztec legend. Surrounding the eagle is a wreath of oak and laurel branches, tied with a ribbon in the national colors.
This emblem is a strong symbol of Mexico’s rich history, culture, and sovereignty.
Presidential Standard of Mexican Flag
There are two main versions of the national flag, both commonly used by state and federal governments. The main difference between the two versions is the design of the coat of arms.
The first version, used by the President of Mexico and federal officials, has the entire coat of arms in gold except for the tricolor ribbon (green, white, and red) and the eagle’s claws, rock, and lake, which are silver.
The second version, which is commonly used by state governments and federal agencies that do not have permission to use the first version, has the entire coat of arms in gold, including the ribbon, lake, rock, and claws.
Monumental flags
In 1999, was initiated a program to install large flags, known as “monumental flags, throughout the country. The Secretariat of National Defense oversaw the placement of these flags in various cities and locations that hold significant national importance.
Zedillo’s decree on July 1, 1999, specified that the flags be erected in Mexico City, Tijuana, Ciudad Juárez, and Veracruz, with a size of 14.3 by 25 meters and mounted on 50-meter flagpoles.
Subsequently, other cities, including Ensenada, Nuevo Laredo, and Cancún, also installed their monumental flags, while smaller flags, called “semi-monumental flags”, were set up in smaller towns and educational institutions.
As of December 22, 2010, the largest Mexican flag in the world is situated in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, at the Gran Plaza, across from International Bridge I which connects Piedras Negras to Eagle Pass, Texas.
The flagpole is 120 meters tall and weighs 160 tonnes (180 short tons), making it one of the tallest in the world and the tallest in Latin America. The flag itself measures 60 by 34 meters and weighs 420 kilograms.
Mexico’s first largest monumental flag was located at the Mirador del Obispado in Monterrey (northeast), with a flagpole of 120 tonnes (130 short tons) and a height of 100.6 meters.
The flag measured 50 by 28.6 m and weighed 230 kg, four times larger than most other monumental flags at the time. It is situated atop the Cerro del Obispado, at an elevation of 775 m above sea level (the city’s altitude is 538 m).
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