“Why so high?” you might wonder looking at the Asta Bandera. It is one of Mexico’s monumental flags. These flags fly atop tall flagpoles across the country. They represent Mexican pride.
The Asta Bandera program started in 1999. President Ernesto Zedillo wanted to instill patriotism. He promoted the flag, Coat of Arms, and national anthem. Each state governor could display national symbols.
Zedillo outlined a two-point program for these monumental flags. First, select locations. Mexico City was one. Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez followed. Veracruz and Iguala completed the first list. The first deployments were in Mexico City. The next two faced the United States border. Veracruz is a main seaport. Iguala saw the creation of Mexico’s first flag.
Second, create standard flag and pole sizes. Flags were 14.3 by 25 meters. Poles reached 50 meters high. The flag size follows a 4:7 ratio. This aligns with the Law on National Symbols.
Smaller flags exist too. They are called banderas semi-monumentales. Schools and small communities use them. These flags are cheaper. They are easier to take down. Giant flags cost a lot. Twenty people are needed to raise them.
Some monumental flags are very big. The tallest flagpole is 120 meters in Piedras Negras. The flag measures 60 meters wide. It weighs 150 tons.
You can find banderas monumentales across Mexico. They stand in state capitals and historical towns. They also stand in cities with important economic activity. Mexico City has three. One is here. Others are in the Zocalo and Campo Marte.
The Asta Bandera at Campo Marte is especially striking. Its pole reaches 100 meters. The flag itself is 50 meters long. It can weigh 500 kg when wet. The Secretariat of National Defense maintains it. They ensure the flag flies proudly.
The flags are made of nylon. They are carefully dyed and assembled. The national emblem is hand-painted. The eagle always faces the green stripe. Wind, rain, and sun cause wear. The authorities constantly supervise and maintain them.
When a monumental flag is damaged it is burned respectfully. The Mexican national anthem is played. It is a fitting farewell to a national symbol. The Asta Bandera reminds us of Mexican history. It inspires patriotism. Take a moment to appreciate its size and symbolism.