This patriotic month we commemorate one more anniversary of being a sovereign and independent nation. Throughout our history, our identity as a nation, the national flag, has undergone several changes and adaptations until reaching the current one.  

In this blog, we take a look at all the flags of Mexico and tell you a little about its history.  

You may be interested in: Terno Yucateco, identity and charm of the Yucatan Peninsula.  

Learn about Mexico’s flags history: 

Hidalgo’s banner (1810).  

The banner of the Virgin of Guadalupe is recognized by historians as the first Mexican flag because this symbol was used by the father of the nation, Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, as a symbol of union and representation during the war of independence.   

Contrary to what was previously thought, several researchers have described that Don Miguel Hidalgo did not take the banner during the dawn of September 16, 1810, but it was during the war that he took the flag as a symbol of the Insurgent Army. Currently, this flag is on display at the Chapultepec Castle Museum in Mexico City.

Flag of the Army of the Three Guaranteed (1821)  

During the first months of 1821, the year of the consumption of the Independence, the flag of the Army of the Three Guaranteed by the emperor Agustín de Iturbide as a symbol of the alliance between the Insurgents and the Royalists.   

This flag was presented until the end of September when Agustín de Iturbide and Vicente Guerrero made their triumphal entry at the head of the Army of the Three Guarantees in Mexico City, an event that marked the definitive end of the independence war.  

This second national emblem presents the green, white and red colors that we currently keep in our flag with the only difference of being arranged in diagonal stripes starting with the white, green, and red (seen from bottom to top), with three stars.   

Flag of the First Mexican Empire (1821-1822) 

After the consummation of Mexico’s independence with the signing of the Treaties of Cordoba, Colonel Agustin de Iturbide is in command of the constitutional monarchy of Mexico, being this the First Mexican Empire.  

During this period, Agustin de Iturbide sought to establish a new symbol that would give identity to this new nation, so he proclaimed that the national flag should carry the green, white and red stripes horizontally, with a crowned eagle, with its wings open and facing forward, perched on a cactus and a lake extending to its sides. This is considered the Second National Flag.

Flag of the Second Mexican Empire (1864-1867) 

After the intervention of the French army in Mexico City and the fall of President Juarez, Maximilian of Habsburg arrived in our country with the support of conservative politicians, to establish himself as monarch, giving rise to the Second Mexican Empire.  

With the arrival of this political character, a new national flag was established in which the colors green, white and red were used as a base, the national coat of arms with the eagle posing on a cactus in a European-style frame, and four coats of arms were attached to the corners of the flag as a symbol of European families and courts. It is recognized by historians as the Third Mexican Flag.  

Flag of the Porfirian Regime (1880-1910)  

After the death of former president Benito Juarez and the arrival of Porfirio Diaz in 1880, Diaz began to make a series of changes and reforms in our country, among which the modifications to the national flag stand out.  

In this new flag, the emblem presents again the tricolor stripes and an eagle devouring a snake with a view to the front, perched on a cactus and a lake that extends to the sides of the cactus. Around it, a laurel wreath in European style extends.  

Current Flag (1968-present) 

During the presidential period of Gustavo Díaz Ordaz, the last change was made to the national flag and it is the one that has been maintained to this day.  

This flag presents the colors green, white, and red as a base and a shield with an eagle in profile posing on a prickly pear cactus while devouring a snake. The lower part of the nopal retains the lake and the short laurel wreath. Being the Fourth National Flag.  

At the same time of the decree of this new national flag, President Díaz Ordaz issued a new Law on the characteristics and use of the Coat of Arms, the Flag and the National Anthem”.  

 Symbology and colors of the Mexican Flag.  

At the time of the decree of the Plan of Iguala, the colors of the national flag symbolized the independence of the Mexican people from the Spanish (green), the Catholic religion (white), and the union between Europeans and Mexicans (red).   

Currently, the colors changed their meaning and are the ones that are currently preserved:  

Green: The hope. 

White: Unity.  

Red: The blood of the national heroes.  

Meanwhile, the coat of arms of the Mexican flag, the eagle perched on a cactus while devouring a snake, refers to the legend of the founding of Tenochtitlan in 1325, symbolizing the victory of the sun over its enemies.  

You may be interested in: Fall in love with Mexican Talavera, a heritage tradition.  

Take a little piece of Mexico with Los Cinco Soles. 

In our stores you will find an endless number of traditional Mexican products to continue enjoying Mexico from anywhere in the world. Visit us in Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Merida and Cancun International Airport Terminal 2 and 4.