Mexican Flag vs Italian Flag: Key Differences and Historical Background
Both Mexico and Italy share quite a few similarities in their flags, despite being on different continents, having different histories, and speaking different Romance languages. However, green, white, and red are their colors. Additionally, if it weren’t for the emblem on the Mexican flag, many might assume they are identical. Here, we’ll tell you everything about the Mexican flag vs Italian flag, so get ready to discover whether the Mexican flag was truly inspired by the Italian one.
While the Italian flag is green, white, and red from left to right, the Mexican flag is also green, white, and red from left to right, just like the Italian one. However, the center of the Mexican flag features an image of an eagle devouring a snake, a symbol of great importance to Mexican culture.
It is worth noting that many claim Mexico was inspired by the Italian flag. However, Italy did not yet exist as an independent country when Mexico had already achieved independence. Nonetheless, it is important to mention that the colors were already distinguishing the Italian territory at the time.
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Historical Background of the Flags
If you are unfamiliar with the history of the Mexican flag vs Italian flag, you might think that one of these countries was inspired by the other in designing and officializing its national flag. However, the answer is no. Despite having the same colors, they have different shades, and the meanings of the Mexican flag vs Italian flag flag are different. Here, we will detail the origins of the Mexican flag vs Italian flag:
Origin of the Mexican Flag
If you are wondering if the Mexican flag vs Italian flag have any similarities, it is important to know the origin of the Mexican flag. The Mexican flag was created in 1821 by Agustín de Iturbide, a military leader who was part of the War of Independence of the Aztec territory and was proclaimed Emperor of Mexico. Iturbide chose the colors to represent the Catholic religion, the achieved independence, as well as the equality and union among Mexicans.
In 1823, after the end of Iturbide’s Empire, the Constituent Congress officially adopted the national flag with the colors green, white, and red. However, they removed the imperial crown and replaced it with an eagle devouring a snake, with laurel and oak branches, which is the emblem we know today.
When Benito Juárez came to power, the meaning of the colors of the Mexican flag was modified. The green now stands for hope, the white for unity, and the red for the blood of the Mexican heroes.
After all these changes, on February 24, 1948, the law of the coat of arms, flag, and national anthem came into effect in Mexico, thus establishing the Mexican flag as we know it today.
Origin of the Italian Flag
To understand all the facts related to the Mexican flag vs Italian flag, it is also important to know the origins of the Italian flag. The parliament of the Cispadane Republic designated the Italian flag in 1797 to differentiate the colors of the military uniforms.
At that time, green was chosen to represent the hope of the country’s unity, white for the snow of the mountains, and red for the blood shed by the fallen.
After several wars, the colors of the flag were adopted by the legions, specifically on March 14, 1861, to proclaim the so-called Kingdom of Italy. However, it was not until 1925 that the current flag design was established by law. After World War II, a decree issued on June 19, 1946, established the flag, and it was ratified in the Constitution as follows: “The flag of the Italian Republic shall be tricolor: green, white, and red, with vertical stripes of equal size.”
Design and Symbolism: Mexican Flag vs. Italian Flag
If you want to learn all about the Mexican flag vs Italian flag, it is important to understand the design and symbolism of each flag. Here are the details:
Design and Symbolism of the Mexican Flag
Currently, the colors of the Mexican flag are green, symbolizing the hope of the Mexican people in the destiny of their race; white, representing unity; and red, symbolizing the blood shed by Mexico’s heroes.
Additionally, the design of the current coat of arms, which is also found on the national flag, symbolizes the promise made by Huitzilopochtli to the Aztecs to found the impressive city of Tenochtitlán, now known as Mexico City.
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The coat of arms, located in the center of the flag, consists of a golden eagle perched on a prickly pear cactus emerging from a lake, devouring a snake. This scene is framed by several cactus paddles and includes an oak branch and a laurel branch forming a lower semicircle, tied by a ribbon with the flag’s colors.
Design and Symbolism of the Italian Flag
The Italian flag has three vertical stripes of equal size: one green, one white, and one red. Each color has historical and cultural significance. The green symbolizes the hills, fields, and natural beauty of Italy, the white represents the peace and unity sought during the unification of the country, and the red represents the blood shed by the heroes who fought for Italy’s independence.
The design of this flag can be considered elegant, as its three stripes are distributed evenly, giving it great visual harmony.
Differences in Color and Proportions: Mexican Flag vs. Italian Flag
To understand what distinguishes the Mexican flag vs Italian flag, it is important to highlight the differences in their proportions and colors:
Although Mexico and Italy are very different countries, both nations share similarities in their flags. Both the Mexican and Italian flags consist of three vertical stripes in green, white, and red, in that order.
However, while the Italian flag has only its colors, the Mexican flag includes the national coat of arms in the middle, on the white stripe, depicting an eagle devouring a snake.
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Additionally, the Italian flag features lighter shades of green and red, while the Mexican flag has more intense green and red tones. The proportions of the Mexican flag vs Italian flag also differ. The Italian flag has a proportion of 3:2, while the Mexican flag has a proportion of 7:4.
Cultural and National Importance: Mexican Flag vs. Italian Flag
If you are interested in everything related to the Mexican flag vs Italian flag, you will surely want to know what cultural importance each of these flags holds for their citizens. Here we will tell you:
Mexican Flag
The Mexican flag represents the spirit of unity, values, and heritage of the nation. It is considered an authentic expression of its traditions and culture, symbolizing the Mexican people’s desire to remain independent and sovereign.
Italian Flag
The Italian flag is considered a powerful symbol of identity that represents its history. Its symbolism is directly related to the unification of a nation that was once divided and fought for independence and unity. The Italian flag is a way for citizens to remember the struggle for freedom and unity of their ancestors.
Flag Day Celebrations
In Mexico, Flag Day is celebrated on February 24 each year, while in Italy, Flag Day is celebrated on January 7.
Confusions and Similarities
According to recent research, when asked about the similar colors of national flags worldwide, approximately 60% of people confuse the flags of Italy and Mexico due to their similarities. Many do not take into account the different shades of color, dimensions, and the coat of arms that Mexico has on the white middle stripe.
Now that you know everything about the Mexican flag vs Italian flag, tell us, did you know the differences and similarities between the Mexican flag and the Italian flag?
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