The middle of the Mexican flag features the Mexican coat of arms, which depicts a golden eagle perched on a prickly pear cactus while holding a snake in its beak and talon. This central emblem is based on an ancient Aztec legend that signified where the Aztecs should build their capital city, Tenochtitlán (now Mexico City). The cactus stands on a rock that is surrounded by water, and beneath it are oak and laurel branches symbolizing victory and honor. The eagle symbolizes victory and the sun, while the snake represents evil, which the eagle prevails over, and the cactus symbolizes the challenges faced in building civilization on ancient land.
