The Coat of Arms of Mexico has been an important symbol of Mexican politics and culture for centuries. The current coat of arms has changed little since the Aztecs first developed it almost seven hundred years ago. The coat of arms depicts a Mexican golden eagle, perched upon a cactus, devouring a snake. To the Aztecs this would have strong religious connotations, but to the Europeans, it would come to symbolize the triumph of good over evil. Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... Superfamilies and Families Henophidia Aniliidae Anomochilidae Boidae Bolyeriidae Cylindrophiidae Loxocemidae Pythonidae Tropidophiidae Uropeltidae Xenopeltidae Typhlopoidea Anomalepididae Leptotyphlopidae Typhlopidae Xenophidia Acrochordidae Atractaspididae Colubridae Elapidae Hydrophiidae Viperidae Snakes (from Old English snaca, and ultimately from PIE base *snag- or *sneg-, to crawl), also known as ophidians, are cold blooded legless reptiles closely...

Coat of Arms (current)

Second Mexican Empire (Maximilian von Habsburg)

First Mexican Empire (Agustín de Iturbide)

original eagle, from the Mendoza codex

Image File history File links Mexico_coat_of_arms. ... Image File history File links Mexico_coat_of_arms. ... Coat of Arms of the Second Mexican Empire File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Coat of Arms of the Second Mexican Empire File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Portrait of Maximilian I, circa 1857-1867. ... Coat of Arms of the First Mexican Empire, File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Coat of Arms of the First Mexican Empire, File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Agustín Cosme Damián de Iturbide y Arámburu (September 27, 1783 – July 19, 1824) was Emperor of Mexico from 1822 to 1823. ... ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (622x735, 157 KB) First page of the Codez Mendoza representing the Foundation of Tenochtitlan Postcortesian codex, prepared by tlacuilos by orders of Viceroy Mendoza int the year 1541 or 1542. ... ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (622x735, 157 KB) First page of the Codez Mendoza representing the Foundation of Tenochtitlan Postcortesian codex, prepared by tlacuilos by orders of Viceroy Mendoza int the year 1541 or 1542. ... The Codex Mendoza is a painted document from the 1540s. ...

Official story

The Coat of Arms of Mexico was inspired by an Aztec legend regarding the founding of Tenochtitlan. According to popular legend, the Aztec people, then a nomadic tribe, were wandering throughout Mexico in search of a Divine sign that would indicate the precise spot, upon which they were to build their capital. The God Huitzilopochtli, had commanded them to find an eagle devouring a snake, perched atop a cactus that grew on a rock submerged in a lake. After two hundred years of wandering, they found the promised sign on a small island in the swampy Lake Texcoco. It was here they founded their new capital, Tenochtitlan. The word Aztec is usually used as a historical term, although some contemporary Nahuatl speakers would consider themselves Aztecs. ... In Aztec mythology, Huitzilopochtli, also spelled Uitzilopochtli (Hummingbird of the South, He of the South, Hummingbird on the Left (South), or Left-Handed Humming Bird – huitzil is the Nahuatl word for hummingbird), was a god of war and a sun god and the patron of the city of Tenochtitlan. ... Genera Several, see below. ... Lake Texcoco is a lake in Mexico. ... Plan of Tenochtitlan (Dr Atl) Mexico City statue commemorating the foundation of Tenochtitlan Tenochtitlan (pronounced ) or, alternatively, Mexico-Tenochtitlan, was the capital of the Aztec empire, which was built on an island in Lake Texcoco in what is now central Mexico. ...

The Aztec legend

A closer look at the original Aztec codices, paintings, and the post-Cortesian codices, show there was no snake in the original legend. In some Aztec illustrations, like the Mendoza codex, there is only an eagle, while in the text of the Ramirez codex, Huitzilopochtli asked the Aztecs to look for an eagle devouring a precious bird perched on a cactus. In the text by Chimalpahin Cuauhtlehuanitzin, the eagle is devouring something, but it is not mentioned what it is. And still, other versions show the eagle clutching the Aztec symbol of war, the Atl-Tlachinolli glyph, or "burning water". Maya codices (singular codex) are books written by the pre-Columbian Maya civilization, using the Maya hieroglyphic script. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The Codex Mendoza is a painted document from the 1540s. ...

The original meanings of the symbols were different in numerous aspects, the eagle was a representation of the sun god, Huitzilopochtli, who was very important, as the Aztecs referred to themselves as the People of the Sun. The cactus, full of its fruits, called "tenochtli" in Nahuatl, represent the island of Tenochtitlan, upon which the Aztec civilization was founded. To the Aztec people, the snake represented wisdom, and had strong connotations with the god, Quetzalcoatl. To the Aztecs, this scene depicting an eagle overpowering a snake would be considered wrong. A solar deity is a deity who represents the Sun. ... The word Aztec is usually used as a historical term, although some contemporary Nahuatl speakers would consider themselves Aztecs. ... Species See Example species. ... Especies Dejecta Cochenillifera The Nopal (plural Nopales) is a vegetable made from the young stem segments of prickly pear, carefully peeled to remove the spines. ... Statue of Quetzalcoatl Quetzalcoatl (feathered snake or plumed serpent; in Nahuatl: Ketsalkoatl; in Spanish: Quetzalcóatl) is the Nahuatl name for the Feathered-Serpent deity of ancient Mesoamerica, one of the main gods of many Mexican and northern Central American civilizations and also the name given to some Toltec rulers...

The story of the snake was derived from an incorrect translation of the Mexicayotl chronicle by Alvaro Tezozomoc. In the story, the Nahuatl text ihuan cohuatl izomocayan, "the snake hisses", was mistranslated as "the snake is torn". Based on this, Father Duran reinterpreted the legend, so that the eagle represents all that is good and right, while the snake represents evil, and sin. Despite it’s inaccuracy, it was adopted because it conformed with European heraldic tradition. To the Europeans it would represent the struggle between good and evil. Although this does not conform to the Pre-Columbian traditions, it was an element that could be used by the first missionaries for the purposes of evangelism and the conversion of the native peoples. Nahuatl is a native language of central Mexico. ... Heraldry is the art and science of designing, displaying, describing and recording coats-of-arms (also referred to as armorial bearings or simply as arms). Its origins lie in the need to distinguish participants in battles or jousts, whose faces were hidden by steel helmets. ... The term Pre-Columbian is used to refer to the cultures of the New World in the era before significant European influence. ... The Four Evangelists, by Jakob Jordaens Evangelism is the preaching of the Christian Gospel or, by extension, any other form of preaching or proselytizing. ... Native Americans (also Indians, Aboriginal Peoples, American Indians, First Nations, Alaskan Natives, or Indigenous Peoples of America) are the indigenous inhabitants of The Americas prior to the European colonization, and their modern descendants. ...

The version of this story would be used for the first time in 1581 by Father Diego Durán, who used it to illustrate his "Atlas de la Historia de los Indios de la Nueva España e Islas de Tierra Firme", and was soon adopted by others. But it would not be until the War of Independence, that it would be used as a coat of arms.

The Creatures

The bird featured on the Mexican coat of arms is the golden eagle. This bird is known officially as águila real (lit. royal eagle). In 1960, the Mexican ornithologist Martín del Campo identified the eagle in prehispanic codex as the caracara or "quebrantahuesos", a species common in Mexico (although the name "eagle" is taxonomically incorrect, as the caracara is a type of falcon). Even so, the golden eagle is considered the Mexican eagle for official purposes, and for the same reason is considered the official bird of Mexico. Binomial name Aquila chrysaetos Linnaeus, 1758 The Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is one of the best known birds of prey in the Northern Hemisphere. ... This article is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... Genera Daptrius Phalcoboenus Polyborus Milvago Caracaras are birds of prey in the family Falconidae. ... Species About 37; see text. ...

When Father Duran introduced the snake, it was originally an aquatic serpent. But in 1917, the serpent was portrayed as a rattlesnake, because it was more common than the aquatic varieties in prehispanic illustrations. As a result of this, the design and color of the snake on the modern coat of arms do not correspond with those of any species of snake, and were inspired by the representations of Quetzalcoatl, a rattlesnake with quetzal feathers. To meet Wikipedias quality standards and make it easier to understand, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Statue of Quetzalcoatl Quetzalcoatl (feathered snake or plumed serpent; in Nahuatl: Ketsalkoatl; in Spanish: Quetzalcóatl) is the Nahuatl name for the Feathered-Serpent deity of ancient Mesoamerica, one of the main gods of many Mexican and northern Central American civilizations and also the name given to some Toltec rulers... This entry is about the bird called Quetzal. ...

History

• The Aztecs, who probably adopted an ancient warring custom (see Toltecs), were known to conduct their battles and the display of troops in the battlefield with the use of flags. The flags or pantli were made out of different colored feathers and diplayed the personal coat of arms of the officer carrying them. During the battle the flags were carried in the back to allow mobility and to display prominently the prestige of the warrior. Bernal Diaz del Castillo refers that Hernán Cortés defeated the Aztecs in Otumba by knocking-off the general who carried the flag. The Aztec warriors thought that the general was taken prisoner and thus fled the battleground.

• Other indigenous kingdoms, not subjugated by and coetaneous with the Aztecs, had their own coat of arms. Especially the kingdoms of Tlaxcala and Michoacan.

• For a few months, after the deposition of the last Aztec Emperor (see Cuauhtemoc), Cortés governed Mexico as virtual sovereign. Therefore, it could be said that his coat of arms was the official one in Mexico. His personal insignia bore the image of the Virgin Mary. It is known that he carried his insignia throughout the conquest of Mexico.

• From 1521 to 1821 the Coat of Arms of New Spain as Mexico was known, was the Cross of Saint Andrew. It was always displayed alongside the coat of arms of Spain.

• In 1810 Father Miguel Hidalgo, leader of the first stage of the Independence war used the Virgin of Guadalupe as a flag or estandarte. It was seized form the Parrish of Atotonilco. The flag is displayed in the National Museum of History alongside, and with the same rank as, later Mexican flags. In that sense, this religious image could officially regarded as the first Mexican coat of arms.

• In 1812, the second stage of the Independence war, Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon used a crowned eagle standing atop of three arches and a cactus. In small print, inside the arches there was the acronym "VVM" which stands for "Viva la Virgen Maria" or Long live the Virgin Mary). In large print and surrounding the eagle, there are golden letters with the legend "OCULIS ET UNGUIBUS AEQUE VICTRIX", meaning "By her eyes and grip equally victorious".

• In 1821, Agustín de Iturbide, First Emperor of Mexico, would introduce a royal crown on the eagle as a symbol of his empire. The elements would be drawn in an European style, the eagle was drawn in front view.

• In 1823, with a design by José Mariano Torreblanca, the crown would be removed, and new elements from European tradition would be introduced to celebrate the victory of the Republic. The coat of arms was now oficial and began to be used in coins, stamps, seals and official papers. But until 1917 it would not be defined by law, so many variants could be found.

• In 1863, Maximiliano de Habsburgo, Second Emperor of México, would reintroduce the royal crown, and the coat of arms would be surrounded by the Imperial mant with the motto Religión, Independencia ("Religion, Independence").

• 1865, a second version for the Empire of Maximiliano the royal crown disappeared, and introduced two gryphs, with the motto Equidad en la Justicia ("Equity in Justice").

• 1867, after the fall of the Empire, the Republic restored most of the elements of the 1823 version.

• In 1887, President Porfirio Díaz would make changes to the eagle, so that its overall appearance reflected the French style.

• In 1916, President Venustiano Carranza reverted the changes made by Diaz, and restored some of the original Aztec symbols, the aquatic snake was replaced with a rattle snake, and the eagle was now seen in a side view, instead of a front view. This design was created by the artists Antonio Gómez and Jorge Enciso. However, due to the political problems of the time, it was not made oficial until 1932, under President Abelardo L. Rodríguez.^[1]

• In 1968, President Gustavo Díaz Ordaz ordered a small change, so the eagle would look more aggressive, and this design, by painter Francisco Eppens Helguera, is still used today. Also a law was made to define and control the use of the national symbols.

• In 1984 President Miguel de la Madrid Hurtado enacts the current law governing the official design and usage of the national symbols, among them the coat of arms.

• The design also forms the center of the Mexican flag.

The Toltecs (or Toltec or Tolteca) were a Pre-Columbian Native American people who dominated much of central Mexico between the 10th and 12th century AD. Their language, Nahuatl, was also spoken by the Aztecs. ... Bernal D az del Castillo (1492 or 1493 - 1581) was a conquistador, who wrote an eyewitness account of the conquest of Mexico under Hern n Cort s. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Tlaxcala is the name of both a state of Mexico and of that states capital city. ... Other Mexican States Capital Morelia Other major cities Lázaro Cárdenas list of municipalities Area 59,928 km² Ranked 16th Population (2000 census) 3,979,180 Ranked 7th Governor (2002-08) Lázaro Cárdenas Batel (PRD) Federal Deputies (13) PRD = 9 PRI = 2 PAN = 1 disputed = 1 Federal... Cuauhtémoc (also Cuauhtemotzin or Guatimozin; also written Cuauhtemoc without the diacritical mark) was the last Aztec ruler (Tlatoani) of Tenochtitlán and the last Aztec Emperor. The name means descending eagle, from Nahuatl cuauhtli (eagle) and temoc (descent); by extension it can be interpreted as setting sun. He lived... Flag of New Spain Viceroyalty of New Spain (Spanish: Nueva España) was the name given to one of the viceroy-ruled territories of the Spanish Empire from 1525 to 1821. ... The Spanish Coat of Arms is composed of six other coats of arms: First quarter, for Castile: gules a castle or, triple-embattled, with three towers each triple-turreted, masoned sable and ajouré azure; Second quarter, for León: argent a lion rampant gules (sometimes blazoned purpure) crowned or, langued... Statue of Miguel Hidalgo, Coyoacán, DF. Don Miguel Gregorio Antonio Ignacio Hidalgo y Costilla Mandarte Villaseñor y Lomelí (8 May 1753 – 30 July 1811) was the chief instigator of Mexicos war of independence against Spain. ... Our Lady of Guadalupe (reproduction) San Juan Bautista, Coyoacán, DF Our Lady of Guadalupe is an aspect of the Virgin Mary, who, according to legend, appeared to Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin, an Aztec convert to Catholicism, in the current borough of Gustavo A. Madero, in Mexico City in 1531. ... Portrait of José María Morelos, oil painting José María Morelos y Pavón (30 September 1765 - 22 December 1815) was one of the main early leaders of Mexicos struggle for independence from Spain. ... Agustín Cosme Damián de Iturbide y Arámburu (September 27, 1783 – July 19, 1824) was Emperor of Mexico from 1822 to 1823. ... The Mexican Empire was the name of Mexico on two non-consecutive occasions in the 19th century when it was ruled by an Emperor. ... Portrait of Maximilian I, circa 1857-1867. ... Term of office: 29 November 1876 to 30 November 1880 (first term) – 1 December 1884 to 1910 (second term) Preceded by: Sebastián Lerdo de Tejada (1876), Manuel González (1884) Succeeded by: Manuel González (1880), Francisco León de la Barra interim (1911) Date of birth: 15 September... Venustiano Carranza Garza (29 December 1859 - 21 May 1920) was one of the leaders of the Mexican Revolution. ... Sculpture commemorating the moment when Aztecs found the sign for Tenochtitlan foundation place given by Huitzilopochtli. ... Term of office: 4 September 1932 – 30 November 1934 Preceded by: Pascual Ortiz Rubio Succeeded by: Lázaro Cárdenas del Río Date of birth: 12 May 1889 Place of birth: Guaymas, Sonora Date of death: 13 February 1967 Place of death: La Jolla, California, USA Profession: Army... Term of office: 1 December 1964 – 1 December 1970 Preceded by: Adolfo López Mateos Succeeded by: Luis Echeverría Álvarez Date of birth: 12 March 1911 Place of birth: Cd. ... Francisco Eppens Helguera (1913-1990) is a Mexican artist who designed various paintings, murals and sculptures in Mexico. ... Term of office: December 1, 1982 – December 1, 1988 Preceded by: José López Portillo Succeeded by: Carlos Salinas de Gortari Date of birth: December 12, 1934 Place of birth: Colima, Colima Profession: Lawyer First Lady: Paloma Cordero Tapia Political Party: PRI Miguel de la Madrid Hurtado (born December 12... Flag ratio: 4:7 The Mexican Chamber of Deputies, with the national flag and corbata serving as their backdrop The flag of Mexico is a tricolor of green, white and red with the coat of arms charged in the center of the white stripe. ...

References

1. ↑ Flags of the World by Byron McCandless p 368

See also

The Tale of the Eagle: a legend from Albania explaining the origin of their indigenous name, which also features an eagle with a snake. The flag of Albania features an eagle. ...

External links

• Virtual Museum of Mexican Birds
• El escudo nacional mexicano