Information about the Coat of Arms of Mexico

The coat of arms of Mexico, or the United Mexican States (this is the official name of Mexico), is based on the legends own of the foundation of the mexica city of Tenochtitlan, in the lake of Texcoco (where you are currently located in Mexico City, the capital and most populous city of the country).

In these legends, which also form part of the history of the national coat of arms of Mexico, transmitted first orally by the first groups mexica settled in the Valley of Mexico, and then written, through a variety of codices made by order of rulers or characters from the upper classes of the society, it is mentioned that the people mexica came from a place (to the east of lake Texcoco) known as Aztlán (several researchers believe that this mythical place was in what is today the modern state of Nayarit); however, they had to leave this site because of a mandate from its principal deity: Huitzilopochtli, who ordered them to undertake a pilgrimage which could not be interrupted, but until you appreciate an eagle perched on a nopal cactus, which would, in turn, on a small island in a lake.

The place where the people mexica perceived the sign of his god was, precisely, in the lake of Texcoco, so that the city then was known as Tenochtitlan had its birth on this site.

For the ancient inhabitants mexica, the eagle was conceived as a symbol of strength and vitality, as well as an animal linked with the symbol of the sun and stars; for its part, the snake represented the mundane; that is to say, from the earth, so you could say that, to some extent, the coat of arms of the united Mexican States represents the sacred union between heaven and earth, between the heavenly and the earthly. Two elements present in various mythologies, cosmological of different cultures around the world.

Coat of Arms of Mexico

If we refer to the information provided by the Official Constitution of the united Mexican States, we can obtain a precise description of the elements that make up the coat of arms of Mexico. In the second article, which touches on the theme of the symbols of the country, is mentioned the following:

The National Shield is formed by an eagle mexican, the profile of the left side of the animal will be exposed; the wings, on the upper level, will be deployed slightly, resembling a fighting stance. The claws of the left paw of the eagle will find themselves subject to a cactus with flowers, which, in turn, will find yourself on an island on a lake. With the claws of the right paw, as well as with the beak, the eagle mexican you will be holding a snake, in apparent attitude of devour.

In addition, you should find a branch of oak, in front of the eagle; and another of laurel, on the opposite side, located symmetrically. Both branches are joined by a ribbon with the national colors (green, white, and red) presented in the three stripes. Likewise, it stipulates that the national crest official is kept in three special places: the National Museum of History and Anthropology, one more in the old House of Currency, and the latter in the General Archive of the Nation.

The coat of arms of Mexico is divided officially, according to its use, in the shield of the flag and civil the coat of arms of the flag for commercial activities. Below we present the features of both:

Coat of Arms of Mexico (Civil)

The flag known as intended for civilian use must display the national coat of arms depicted a single ink; usually, this is interpreted as that the shield will be drawn only with black ink on a background completely white (as if it were designed for coloring). Notwithstanding the provisions of the official flag shield civil usually does not meet almost never, probably, because the most well-known is the coat color (or own business).

The use of the flag with the shield civil, as its name implies, is exclusive for the use of any citizen; for example, the shield civil can be used in private vehicles, in jobs or residences; and, with special care to respect the national symbol and being cautious in its handling and cleaning.

The coat of arms of Mexico, flag for commercial activities

This kind of banner is intended for commercial use, and represents the shield with the traditional colours. This is the type of flag and the type of shield used most often, and, probably, the most well-known.

Analysis of the elements found in the coat of arms of the United Mexican States:

In this section we find some details that interest us, and which reflect some information about the meaning of the coat of arms of Mexico.

Fauna

In regards to wildlife presented in the shield, appear the eagle and the snake, being these two the only animal species that are found in him.

Eagle

Corresponds to a copy of the eagle mexican, also known as golden eagle (Aquila crhysaetos). This eagle can be found in a large part of the american continent and in other regions of the world, as in north Africa and the Middle East, among others. Currently, the golden eagle is considered as an animal species in danger of extinction.

Snake

It is believed that the species correspond to that of a snake aquatic habitat; however, it is unknown the true origin of the representation of the species of snake in the coat of arms of Mexico. However, from the second decade of the TWENTIETH century, the serpent was identified with a rattlesnake.

Flora

Nopal

Traditionally, the nopal (a kind of cactus) is represented as flowery and with five leaves and three fruit (known as tunas). Has a green color with a dark tone and, contrary to what you might think, the representation of the nopal almost no spines (something really unusual in the various species of this plant).

Branches of oak and laurel

As mentioned above, in front of the eagle and the nopal, there are two branches, one of oak and the other laurel. However, these plants are not of american origin, but european, and traditionally have been employed in the old continent as a symbol of victory or triumph.

Other resources

On this site you will also find other useful resources such as for example the coat of arms of Mexico to draw, the coat of arms of the Mexican flag and some images of the coat of arms of Mexico.