History of the Mexican Flag

According to an old Aztec tale, a certain group of people were wondering without a destination seeking a sign their god had given their leader in a dream, which was an eagle perched on a prickly cactus pear with a snake in its mouth and talon, this place was to be their settling ground. However, after wondering for over two hundred years they came across the sign they searched for, on a small island on the Lake Texcoco. Their destination was found and they called that capital Tonochtitil in which is now Mexico City, was the central emblem. Mexico City was the center of the empire at one point.

The history of the Mexican flag goes along way back several hundred years. The flag as we know it today has changed several times from its original look and the symbolism of the color changed. Originally, the green represented independence, white represented religion and red represented Americans and Europeans. However, once Mexico was no longer under the control of religion the meaning of the Mexican flag was changed by President Benito Juarez(1838-1872) to have a more significant meaning to the people of Mexico. It was then adapted to represent green for hope and love, white for peace and honesty and red for the blood of the fallen heroes.

The current Mexican flag was adapted in 1968 because the Italian flag was of close descriptive, so the coat of arms was used to differentiate the two. The Mexican flag has tricolor of green, white and red, with the national coat of arms in the center of the white strip. The coat of arms is an eagle perched on a prickly pear cactus with a snake in its beak and talon. The ratio of the flag is described as 1:2

The meaning of the Mexican flag has significant meaning to its people and great respect should be shown to the flag. The etiquette relating to the flag are: The Mexican flag should never be dragged on the ground. Next, a battered or torn Mexican flag should never be flown but removed and replaced with a new flag. When a flag is in such a condition it should be destroyed in a dignified way preferably by burning in private with due care given. Special care should be taken to ensure the flag is flown the correct way.

Source
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Mexico
http://www.inside-mexico.com/flag.htm