Flag of Mexico
countryThe flag of Mexico was adopted on September 16, 1968. Vertical tricolour with the coat of arms. It uses 3 colours: green, white and red. The official proportions are 4:7.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Mexico |
|---|---|
| Country | Mexico |
| Official Country Name | United Mexican States |
| Capital | Mexico City |
| Continent | Americas |
| Region | North America |
| ISO Country Code | MX / MEX |
| Internet Domain | .mx |
| Calling Code | +52 |
| Currency | Mexican peso (MXN) |
| National Language(s) | Spanish |
| Demonym | Mexican |
| Area | 1,964,375 km² |
| Population | 131 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Mexico |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | September 16, 1968 |
| First Used | 1821 |
| Current Version Adopted | September 16, 1968 |
| Flag Proportion | 4:7 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | Green, White, Red |
| Design Type | Vertical tricolour with the coat of arms |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Mexico |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green | #006847 | 0, 104, 71 | 100, 0, 32, 59 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Red | #CE1126 | 206, 17, 38 | 0, 92, 82, 19 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Green colour | Represents hope and independence |
|---|---|
| White colour | Represents purity and the unity of the people |
| Red colour | Represents the blood of the national heroes |
| Eagle and serpent | The Aztec legend of the founding of Tenochtitlan — an eagle on a prickly pear devouring a snake marked the site of the city |
| Oak and laurel | Strength and victory |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1821 | The design was first used |
| 1968-09-16 | The current flag was officially adopted |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio | 4:7 |
|---|---|
| Width | 4 units (hoist) |
| Length | 7 units (fly) |
Mexico Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
| National Holidays | Yes |
| Military | Yes |
| Naval Use | Yes |
| Embassies | Yes |
| International Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of Mexico
| Flag Type | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
| National Flag | National representation | View flag |
| Civil Flag | Used by civilians | View flag |
| State Flag | Used by government | View flag |
| War Flag | Used during military operations | View flag |
| Naval Ensign | Used by the navy | View flag |
| Air Force Flag | Used by the air force | View flag |
| Presidential Standard | Used by the head of state | View flag |
| Royal Standard | Used by the monarch | View flag |
| Historical Flag | Previous national flag | View flag |
Quick Facts About the Flag
| Flag Age | 58 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | September 16, 1968 |
| Oldest Version | 1821 |
| Flag Nickname | El Lábaro Patrio |
| Most Common Color | Green |
| Similar Flags | Cameroon, Clipperton Island, Côte d\\\'Ivoire |
| Unique Feature | Vertical tricolour with the coat of arms |
Other vertical tricolour flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Mexico
- The eagle and serpent illustrate the Mexica founding legend of Tenochtitlan, making it one of the oldest continuously used national symbols in the Americas.
- The coat of arms has been redrawn many times; the current version dates from 1968 and is specified in law down to the position of the eagle's feathers.
- Mexican law prohibits altering the flag or using it commercially without authorisation, and the arms may only be reproduced in the official rendering.
- The flag of Mexico was officially adopted on September 16, 1968.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1821, 147 years before it was formally made the flag of Mexico.
- The flag in its present form is 58 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Vertical tricolour with the coat of arms.
- The flag is known as El Lábaro Patrio, a name used far more often than the formal "flag of Mexico".
- The official proportions are 4:7. It shares that ratio with 1 national flag.
- The flag uses 3 colours: green, white and red.
- The green on the flag stands for hope and independence.
- The white on the flag stands for purity and the unity of the people.
- The red on the flag stands for the blood of the national heroes.
- Eagle and serpent: The Aztec legend of the founding of Tenochtitlan — an eagle on a prickly pear devouring a snake marked the site of the city.
- Oak and laurel: Strength and victory.
- The design belongs to the "Vertical tricolour" family, shared with 27 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Cameroon, Clipperton Island and Côte d\\\'Ivoire.
- Mexico became independent on 27 September 1821 from Spain.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Mexico
When was the flag of Mexico adopted?
The flag of Mexico was officially adopted on September 16, 1968, though the design had already been in use since 1821.
What do the colours of the flag of Mexico mean?
Green for hope and independence, white for purity and the unity of the people and red for the blood of the national heroes.
When did Mexico gain independence?
Mexico became independent on 27 September 1821 from Spain. The war of independence was launched with the Grito de Dolores on 16 September 1810, which is the date Mexico celebrates.
What is the national sport of Mexico?
Charrería, the Mexican horsemanship contest, is the official national sport; football is the most popular.
What do the symbols on the flag of Mexico represent?
Eagle and serpent — The Aztec legend of the founding of Tenochtitlan — an eagle on a prickly pear devouring a snake marked the site of the city. Oak and laurel — Strength and victory.
What are the proportions of the flag of Mexico?
The official ratio is 4:7, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 1 national flag.
What is the national anthem of Mexico?
The national anthem is "Himno Nacional Mexicano".
When is the national day of Mexico?
It falls on 16 September, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Mexico?
The national animal is the golden eagle, with the xoloitzcuintli as national dog.
What is the capital of Mexico?
The capital is Mexico City. The currency is the Mexican peso (MXN) and the language spoken is Spanish.