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Mexico: Historical Flags

The flags below are based on the book "Mexico and its Symbols" (Mexico y sus simbolos) by Carmen G. Basurto. The book deals extensively with legislation about the flag and the national shield (and the shields of the states), and refers to flags used by Mexico from the era of the Aztecs. The first four flags below cover the period leading up to independence (1810-1822).

1810 banner
1812-1815 flag
1820 flag
1821 flag ("Tricarante")

1810 banner

by Jaume Oll�, 4-AUG-1995

This banner was used by Cur� Hidalgo in the revolution of 1810. It was taken from the sacristy of the town of Atotonilco el Grande (Guanajuato), where it represented the Virgin of Guadalupe. Adopted 16 of September of 1810. Abolished in November of 1810.
Jaume Oll�, 4-AUG-1995

1812-1815 flag

by Jaume Oll�, 4-AUG-1995

The Hidalgo revolt was continued by Morelos who adopted a flag on 19th August 1812 with a bridge of three arches and after each arch a letter: V.V.M. (Viva la Virgen Maria or Long Live the Virgin Mary). On 6th September, 1813, the flag was used to proclaim independence under the name Kingdom of Anahuac. Abolished 5 of November of 1815 when the Morelos revolt ran out of steam.
Jaume Oll�, 4-AUG-1995

1820 flag

by Jaume Oll�, 4-AUG-1995

Between 1816 and 1820 there was no major military activity, but in 1820 the struggle of "the insurgents", under the order of Vicente Guerrero, began. Guerrero used a flag that imitated the French tricolour. Under Iturbide the Treaty of Iguala was signed with Spanish troops and the flag was abolished shortly after.
Jaume Oll�, 4-AUG-1995

1821 flag

by Jaume Oll�, 4-AUG-1995

The Treaty of Iguala, established on 24th February 1821, recognized the independence of Mexico and established the "Three Warranties": religion, independence, and union. The flag of the army, the Trigarante (Three Guarantors), was adopted on 14th April, 1821, and was made by the tailor of Iguala Jose Magdaleno Ocampo. The white symbolized religion, the green independence, and the red the union of Spanish and Mexican peoples. The "trigarante" army entered Mexico City on 23rd September, 1821. A decree of Iturbide established the flag with the colors of the Trigarante. That flag was raised on 7th January, 1822, and was declared perpetual, and a derivative of it remains in use today. There are several designs known of the Trigarante flag: the diagonal could be inside out, the striping could be in all possible combinations (but especially with green, white and red in the diagonal), and the stars could be red in the green band, white in the red band or green in the white band.
Jaume Oll�, 4-AUG-1995