Contrary to what was commonly thought, the Mexican flag did not borrow the colors of any other flag in the world. So no, the colors of the Mexican flag are not a copy of the Italian flag. In fact, the Mexican flag is older and its colors are not the same tone. Rather, it is said that its colors could have been inspired by an emblematic bird that has inhabited Mexican lands since time immemorial: the Coa bird, also known as Cuautotol.
The story goes that in 1810, during the dawn of the War of Independence, the inhabitants of the Zongolica region, in Veracruz, were in charge of making a banner to be carried by Nicolás Bravo. It is said that the designers were inspired by the green, white and red colors of this small bird belonging to the Trogonidae family, which is common in the Zongolica mountain range but is also found in numerous states of Mexico such as Coahuila, Colima, Chihuahua, Durango , Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, State of Mexico, Michoacán, Morelos, Nayarit, Nuevo León, Oaxaca, Puebla, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tamaulipas, Tlaxcala and Zacatecas.
Once the flag was made, it became famous in history as the "Siera flag" or "Zongolica flag". It was the first tricolor flag, like the plumage of the mountain bird that everyone had known for a long time. Over the years, the cuautotol began to be called "flag bird" and later Mexican trogon.
Although in the end, the best known version about the origin of the Mexican flag says that it was the idea of Agustín de Iturbide. He said that green represented the independence of Mexico, white represented the Catholic religion, and red symbolized equality and union between Mexicans, Spaniards and the castes. In January 1822, he issued a decree making the colors green, white and red official in vertical stripes of equal size, with the national coat of arms in the center of the white stripe. Later, the Constituent Congress of 1823 officially recognized this flag, which has lasted until today.
And to clarify doubts, it was not until 1849 in Rome when the Roman Republic was established and they adopted a flag with the same green, white and red colors. They wrote the initials of the Republic on the white stripe. In 1861, with the proclamation of the kingdom of Italy, they added a crowned Savoy shield. And finally, after the fall of the monarchy in 1946, the flag of Italy was left without insignia or shields.
Here are three reasons to be proud of the Mexican flag:
International Recognition: The flag of Mexico is recognized worldwide and is a symbol of Mexican culture around the world. It is a national emblem that represents the sovereignty and independence of the country.
National pride: The flag of Mexico is a source of pride for Mexicans, as it evokes values such as freedom, justice, equality and love of country. It is a symbol that unites citizens and reminds them of their history and achievements as a nation.
Distinctive and aesthetic design: The flag of Mexico has a simple but very distinctive design that makes it easily recognizable and aesthetically pleasing. Its bright colors and its national shield in the center are elements that stand out both in formal events and in popular celebrations, generating a sense of identity and belonging among Mexicans and admiration in those who see it.
Con información de aespac.org, mexicodesconocido.com, y www.biblioteca.tv
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