About Mexico Flags

The Mexico flag, known as the Bandero de Mexico in Spanish, is a brilliant display of red, green and white with the national coat of arms featured prominently in the center white stripe. The colors were chosen in honor of Mexico's national liberation army and were adopted after New Spain (Mexico) gained independence from Spain in 1821. The new sovereign nation was called the United Mexican States, or Estados Unidos Mexicanos. However, for most Mexicans – and the rest of the world – the country is simply known as Mexico.

Mexico Flags: Colors & Symbolism

Though the flag of Mexico has been modified a few times over the years, the overall design has remained generally the same since 1821. The design is based on the French Tricolore and features the national coat of arms. The colors originally stood for independence (green), purity of religion (white) and a striving for unity between the native races and the Spaniards (red). However, they now stand for hope (green), purity (white) and religion (red).

The coat of arms on the Mexican flag is reminiscent of an ancient Aztec symbol for Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec empire and the site of modern-day Mexico City. According to legend, an eagle clutching a snake in its talons, and standing on a flowering nopal cactus growing from a rock in the middle of the Tenochtitlan Lake, appeared on the site where the Aztecs had decided to build their capital in 1325.

Mexico Flags Throughout the Years

As with many national flags, the Mexican flag has evolved along with the country. In fact, Mexico flags have changed at least four times over the years.

Historical Mexico Flags

In 1821, when Mexico became an independent nation, the imperial parliament adopted the vertical tricolor flag of red, white and green with the national coat of arms. The coat of arms at that time contained only the eagle with its head beneath a crown.

In 1823, when Mexico became a federal republic, the flag was revised only by appearance of the coat of arms. The crown above the eagle's head was removed and the eagle's right talon held a serpent. This Historical Mexico Flag was also the first to include the oak and laurel branches, which are still included today.

Modern Mexico Flags

When the Second Mexican Empire was established in 1864, the flag was changed once again. This flag of Mexico continued the vertical tricolor with the coat of arms displayed in the center white stripe, but at each corner of the flag were placed four crowned eagles in an apparent attempt by the Emperor Maximilian to emulate the French Imperial arms.

Finally, in 1968, Mexico adopted the current national flag. It features the same vertical tricolor with the coat of arms in the center, however, the eagle is now side-facing. This coat of arms was adapted from a design approved in 1916 by decree of President Venustiano Carranza. The current Mexico Flag design is described in Article 3 of Mexico's 1984 Law on the National Arms, Flag, and Anthem.

More Mexico Flags

In addition to Mexico flags and historical Mexico flags, we also carry Mexico stick flags and lapel pins. Choose from our Mexico Stick Flags on printed polyester, Mexico Parade Stick Flags made from muslin, Mexico Flag Lapel Pins and friendship pins featuring the Mexican Flag with an American Flag.

For questions, or to order our Mexico flags by phone, give us a call at 1-888-697-3524. You can also contact us online.