Mexico Flag

How to identify it

Green, white and red vertical bands with a detailed coat of arms in the centre showing an eagle on a cactus holding a snake. The arms are what separates it from Italy at any distance.

Design and construction

Proportions

4:7

Adoption and legal status

16 September 1968 for the current arms; colours in use since 1821

Construction

Three equal vertical bands; the coat of arms is centred in the white band and is three quarters of its height.

Officially documented meaning

The coat of arms depicts the founding legend of Tenochtitlan, in which the Mexica were to settle where they saw an eagle on a cactus.

Commonly repeated interpretation

Not official: Green for hope, white for unity and red for the blood of heroes is the usual school explanation. These readings were reassigned after the country became a republic and are not fixed in law.

History of the design

The colours come from the Army of the Three Guarantees at independence in 1821. The eagle has been redrawn several times; the version in use today was standardised in 1968.

Similar flags

Compare the details that separate these designs.

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  Italy

  Italy has no central emblem and uses lighter shades with a 2:3 ratio.

Sources