Symbolism of the Mexican Flag: Colors & the Eagle Emblem

The Flag of Mexico (adopted 1821, current form 1968) is a vertical tricolor with a centered coat of arms. Each element carries deep historical and mythological meaning.

Colors (Vertical Stripes: Green | White | Red)

Note: Original meanings were political; modern ones are more civic.

Coat of Arms: The Eagle, Cactus & Snake

• Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) perched on a prickly pear cactus (nopal) growing from a rock in a lake.
• Eagle holds a serpent in beak and right talon.
• Below: Oak (strength) and laurel (victory) branches tied with tricolor ribbon.

Mythological Origin (Mexica / Aztec)

Huitzilopochtli instructed the wandering Mexica: "Where you see an eagle on a nopal eating a serpent, there build your city." They saw it on an island in Lake Texcoco (1325) → founded Tenochtitlan. The emblem = divine mandate fulfilled; good (eagle/sun) triumphs over evil (serpent/underworld).

Design Specs

• Ratio 4:7. Coat of arms diameter = 3/4 flag width.
• Reverse side: Mirror image (eagle faces right).
• Regulated by Ley sobre el Escudo, la Bandera y el Himno Nacionales (1984).

The flag is Mexico's supreme national symbol — flown at half-mast for national mourning, saluted in schools every Monday, worn on jerseys, waved in protest and pride.