As
with many national flags, the Mexican flag has evolved
along with the United States of Mexico. It is a federal
republic located south of North America. The colors originally
stood for independence (green), purity of religion (white)
and a striving for unity between the native races and
the Spaniards (red). Now they stand for hope (green),
purity (white) and religion (red). The designed is based
on the French Tricolore and is charged with the national
emblem. The national emblem is a modern version of an
ancient Aztec symbol. 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. The particular version
of the emblem used today was updated in 1968. |