Adopted in 1968 (original version 1821). The flag of Mexico has three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and red. Mexico's coat of arms (an eagle with a snake in its beak perched on a cactus) is centered in the white band. Green signifies hope, joy, and love; white represents peace and honesty. Red stands for hardiness, bravery, strength, and valor. The coat of arms is derived from a legend that the wandering Aztec people were to settle at a location where they would see an eagle on a cactus eating a snake. The city they founded, Tenochtitlan, is now Mexico City. (ref: CIA World Factbook) The flag inherits its basic design from the early Mexican national flag of independence of 1821.