Next: 15 to 16 Sept 2027
Mexican Independence Day
Green, white and red on flags, lights and food, from the midnight shout in the Zócalo to a stuffed chilli in the three colours.
The colours of Mexican Independence Day
Late on 15 September the president rings a bell from the balcony of the National Palace and repeats the Grito, the cry with which the priest Miguel Hidalgo called for revolt in 1810. Squares all over Mexico are hung with lights and paper in green, white and red. The three colours come from the army that won independence in 1821, when they stood for independence, religion and union. They are now usually read as hope, unity and the blood of the national heroes. People wear embroidered blouses, sombreros and ribbons in the colours. The dish of the season is chiles en nogada: a green poblano chilli in white walnut sauce, scattered with red pomegranate seeds.
#006847VerdeHope; at first, independence.#FFFFFFBlancoUnity; at first, religion.#CE1126RojoThe blood of heroes; at first, union.#B3122FPomegranateSeeds scattered over chiles en nogada.Values are fair approximations, not official shades.
Read about the colours
Written by the Rang desk with AI assistance. Background: "Grito de Dolores" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from family to family and place to place. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.