The Mexican flag consists of three vertical stripes in green, white, and red. The green stripe represents hope, the white symbolizes purity, and the red stands for the blood of national heroes. In the center of the white stripe is the national emblem, which features an eagle perched on a cactus, devouring a serpent. The flag was officially adopted on September 16, 1968, although its design has evolved over the years. The eagle and serpent in the emblem are significant symbols in Mexican culture, representing the founding of Tenochtitlan, the ancient capital of the Aztec Empire.