VICEREGAL BANNER: HISTORY, CHARACTERISTICS, SYMBOLS - HISTORY - 2024

The viceregal banner or flag of New Spain, was the representative flag of the first of the four viceroyalties that Spain created to govern its conquered lands in the New World. This Viceroyalty comprised all the lands of the Spanish crown in the New World during the colonial period.

Its extension came to encompass all of what is today Mexico, the southwestern United States, Central America (except Panama), the Caribbean and the Philippines in the Pacific Ocean.

Novohispana viceregal flag

New Spain was governed by a representative of the Spanish monarch (the viceroy) from its capital in Mexico City. Since its inception, the New Spanish vice-royal banner had the Cross of Burgundy as its main motif. This had been adopted by Spain as the new national flag in 1520.

There were many versions of this flag, but in its simplest form it consisted of a diagonal cross on a white field. Variants of the Burgundy Cross were widely used by the Spanish military both on land and at sea.

Its most common version flew throughout Spain's colonial empire in the New World until 1785, when a new flag was adopted.

History of the viceregal banner

Burgundy was a French duchy that stretched through northern France, Belgium, and the southern Netherlands. When Felipe I of the House of Burgundy joined in marriage with Juana de Castilla y Aragón, daughter of the Kings of Spain, both territories were unified.

This new territory takes the Cross of San Andrés, or Cross of Burgundy, as a new royal standard. Later, this banner was used as an overseas flag during the Spanish colonization of the New World.

In 1521, when the conqueror Hernán Cortés defeats and subdues the Mexica empire, the viceroyalty of New Spain is created. At the beginning of its functions, a modified version of the emblem of the Royal House is adopted as the vice-royal standard.

This consists of the image of La Cruz de San Andrés on a yellow ocher background. The cross is finished with four applications in which the shield of Mexico City embroidered with colored threads can be seen.

During all the time that the Spanish domination lasted, this banner was used both in official protocol acts and in ships and forts. As of the year 1529, it was removed from the seat of the city council every August 13.

This is the date when Cortés took Tenochtitlan for good. It was then taken to what was called the Paseo del Pendón. Thus they commemorated the birth of the capital of New Spain.

This flag remained as the vice-royal standard of New Spain for almost 300 years. It prevailed until 1821, when the Treaty of Córdoba was signed. With this treaty the independence of Mexico was agreed.

characteristics

Cross of Saint Andrew

The viceregal banner uses the so-called cross of San Andrés as a central element. This consists of a cross shaped like a cross with two acute angles and two obtuse angles.

The basic pattern resembles two crossed branches. The shape of a diagonal cross is a heraldic symbol that is known as a saltire. In the case of the viceregal banner, the cross is red and the field is ocher yellow.

Coat of arms

On the other hand, at the end of each of the arms of the cross is the coat of arms of Mexico City. The shield shows an eagle in a combative posture, a snake supported by a claw and the eagle's beak.

This bird is perched on a cactus with its fruits (tunas). Some oak and laurel leaves surround the eagle. Other elements present in this shield are the royal crowns and a pedestal on which the nopal grows.

Aztec tradition

According to the opinion of experts, this coat of arms is a translation of an ancient glyph (engraving) from the Aztec tradition. In turn, it is believed that these were inherited from the Toltecs.

Applications

During the conquest, this insignia was carried on the flags to organize and coordinate the warriors in battle. They were adorned with different colored feathers and were shown as the personal shield of the officer who commanded the action.

Other versions

In another version, the coat of arms of Mexico City is observed in the center. From there the four arms of the cross of Saint Andrew depart crowned.

There are also two crowned lions, and a royal crown at the top. This was used throughout all the territories of the Spanish empire.

Symbology

The cross of Saint Andrew represents the martyrdom of this apostle. According to a very ancient tradition, Saint Andrew was crucified in AD 60. C. in Greece. He was tied to a “crux decussata” (X-shaped cross) and there he suffered for four days until his death.

Historians say that, during the days that his torture lasted, he took the opportunity to preach and instruct in religion to all who approached him. The cross became a symbol of resistance in the face of adversity.

However, on the viceregal banner this cross came to represent the Spanish monarchy and its empire.

For its part, the coat of arms symbolizes the founding of Mexico City. According to legend, the god Huitzilopochtli asked his people to find an eagle perched on a cactus and devouring a snake. Upon finding the site, Tenochtitlan was founded, the territory of what is now Mexico City.

In this way, the elements of this shield were a recognition of the autochthonous culture. The eagle was a representation of the sun god Huitzilopochtli.

For its part, the nopal represents the island of Tenochtitlan and the serpent represented wisdom. The latter was also related to the god Quetzalcoatl.

Finally, the crowns with which the coats of arms are finished represent the power of the Spanish crown.

References

1. Gale Encyclopedia of US Economic History. (2000). New Spain, Viceroyalty of. Retrieved on January 31, 2018, from encyclopedia.com.
2. Jackson, E. (s / f). Spanish Cross of Burgundy Flag. Retrieved on January 31, 2018, from georgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu.
3. Ortiz Romo, E. (2010). Shields and flags of Mexico. Retrieved on January 31, 2018, from web.uaemex.mx.
4. Palmera, A. (2016, August 01). TOP 10 - Historical flags. Retrieved on January 31, 2018, from mxtop10.wordpress.com.
5. Olvera, JJ (2011, February 24). History of the Mexican Flag. Retrieved on January 31, 2018, from jjolverag.wordpress.com.