BajaNomad

Display of Mexican flag

fourninerpapa - 12-28-2008 at 08:47 AM

We were told it is illegal for a non Mexican national to fly the Mexican flag.
We fly the flag on our palapa. We got information second hand that a fellow Gringo was told by the military to lower their flag or face a fine.
I could find nothing on the internet to confirm this.
Can anyone enlighten me as to the law?

Norm

DENNIS - 12-28-2008 at 08:54 AM

There are regulations concerning the flag, how and when it's to be displayed. In fact, there's an agency in DF that is responsible for national icons and their use. We in the states fly our colors without restriction. It's one of our guarantees. Not so in Mexico. You'll notice the street vendors go into the flag business around Independance Day when the flag is broadly displayed but, then they seem to vanish.
I have an article on this subject and I think I know where it is. I'll find it and be back with details.

fdt - 12-28-2008 at 09:27 AM

Article 32 of the "Ley sobre el escudo, la bandera y el himno nacional " say you can, with due respect show a flag at your'e home, youre car or work place.

http://www.ordenjuridico.gob.mx/Federal/PE/PR/Leyes/08021984...

Now in order to get fined, you would have to do what Paulina Rubio did



[Edited on 12-30-2008 by BajaNomad]

vandenberg - 12-28-2008 at 09:31 AM

At one time my wife made up some business cards with the flags of Holland (me), Canada (her) and Mexico on them.
Handing one in La Paz to an immigration official, she was called on it and told that this was a NoNo.

Its a grand 'ol flag

Tomas Tierra - 12-28-2008 at 09:33 AM

how about when making Ceviche???

DSCN1267.JPG - 47kB

Pompano - 12-28-2008 at 09:37 AM

On the water.

If flying flags aboard your boat or ship, always fly the host nation flag uppermost as a courtesy and respect.

Flying a palapa flag in the early 70's was okay here...at least nobody complained when I flew this ND flag...followed by bra and panties.

.


But nowadays it's is a whole different attitude and ballgame. I would not fly one until provided with a legal ruling from your local authorities...and a national one to boot.

DENNIS - 12-28-2008 at 09:40 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Pompano
...followed by bra and panties.



"I pledge allegiance to........"

biglar - 12-28-2008 at 10:43 AM

It'll be interesting to see how this plays out. For many years it's been my understanding - in Canada and in the U.S. - that if visiting a country it is correct to display that country's flag at the top of the mast and your home country's flag beneath it. I'd be amazed if Mexico's policy is different. I believe the main thing is displaying the courtesy to your hosts. I can't conceive of anyone being upset because their flag was displayed in a correct & courteous manner.

Lar.

Pompano - 12-28-2008 at 10:50 AM

Lar...it's common practice in Mexican waters..and most ports on the globe.

An exception... wartime zones. The wrong flag there could get you in deep trouble and win you a Stoopid Award.

David K - 12-28-2008 at 11:02 AM

I recall reading that unlike the American flag (which belongs to the people), the Mexican flag belongs to the 'government' and flys only above government installations (not on private flagpoles).

Curious

Dave - 12-28-2008 at 11:04 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by fourninerpapa
We were told it is illegal for a non Mexican national to fly the Mexican flag.


Why would a U.S. citizen fly a foreign flag? Could never quite figure that out. :rolleyes:

Here's a question:

Could you display an American flag on your palapa? ;D

David K - 12-28-2008 at 11:09 AM

Dave, out of respect or admiration of the host country they have made a second home? Perhaps the respect of flying a national flag that we do here in the USA, is just a natural thing for some gringos to do when moving to Mexico... unaware of the law about Mexican flag display...?

DENNIS - 12-28-2008 at 01:05 PM

OK...Found the article which led me on a search to find it in archives and came across a partial rendition of the original:

http://vivirlatino.com/2005/10/13/ab-y-la-bandera.php

The original article, dated Oct.9, 2005, San Diego Union, by Susan Ferriss added a story about Luis Miguel a mega star around the world, being instructd to remove a Mexican flag from an album cover.
Another, a popular Mariachi being fined $45 for "muffing" the national anthem at a futbol game.
One more...A popular poet, sin nombre, who could face jail time for violating the honor of the flag by writing a poem about cleaning up urine with it.
There is no freedom of speech in Mexico when the subject is the Mexican flag which makes me ask why it is marketed as a novelty symbol. Like so many other infractions in Mexico, it seems to be an end-user responsibility or the person who is more accessable to fine.
Who knows? Mexico Mystery #62,045.

Sorry I can't scan and print this article...don't know how. Anyway, it's probably illegal.

Woooosh - 12-28-2008 at 02:00 PM

When they change the Mexican flag from having an Eagle to a Chicken on it - I'll fly it.

I collect and fly historical USA flags- two at a time. The American flag always flies. I keep my neighbors guessing (and probably doing internet searches) to figure out what flag I'm flying in addition to the American flag. Nothing wrong with a history lesson now and then...

TMW - 12-28-2008 at 02:39 PM

There are restrictions on flying the US flag. At night it must be illuminated. It must not be flown if damaged. It is customary to fly national flags at the same height. The US flag, at least in US territory or on US vessels, must never be flown lower than another countries flap. I don't have it handy but there is a web site, maybe many, that have the rules for flying the US flag.

Here is one site:

http://www.ushistory.org/BETSY/flagetiq.html

[Edited on 12-28-2008 by TW]

Jack Swords - 12-28-2008 at 03:57 PM

I am a non-Mexican and have a Mexican flag flying from the starboard side of my mast on my sailboat as I write this. When I look around, most boats in Marina de la Paz are owned by non-Mexicans and also fly the Mexican flag. The Mexican boat does not. In fact, the port captain has visited the marina in the past and wanted all boats to fly the flag and the tattered ones replaced. Those boats flying another country's flag have it beneath the Mexican flag or on the port side of the mast (sail boats).

No restrictions...

Dave - 12-28-2008 at 04:50 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by TW
There are restrictions on flying the US flag.


Just suggestions. So sayeth the Supremes :rolleyes:

Woooosh - 12-28-2008 at 05:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Dave
Quote:
Originally posted by TW
There are restrictions on flying the US flag.


Just suggestions. So sayeth the Supremes :rolleyes:


You can even burn it if you want to. Your freedom of speech is a right.

DENNIS - 12-28-2008 at 05:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh

You can even burn it if you want to. Your freedom of speech is a right.


Not in front of me!!!!

TMW - 12-29-2008 at 08:39 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
Quote:
Originally posted by Dave
Quote:
Originally posted by TW
There are restrictions on flying the US flag.


Just suggestions. So sayeth the Supremes :rolleyes:


You can even burn it if you want to. Your freedom of speech is a right.


That is correct. They are not laws. It is common to see Mexican and American flags on race vehicles.

bent-rim - 12-29-2008 at 01:50 PM

I have a Mexican flag sticker on the front fender of my BMW Paris Dakar R100GS bike and it works great at the military stops. They ask about the flag sticker, I tell them I love Mexico and I get waved on.

capt. mike - 12-29-2008 at 02:30 PM

fourninerpoppa -
hi norm - six niner poppa here.

are you flying? and a comanche by chance?? they seem to end in P or Y a lot.

i flew a jolly roger on my palapa roof for 6 years in mulege. no one ever complained about that one. it told folks i was down.
and that the bar was opened....:light:

i say fly what ever you like.

tell us about yourself when you have time.

On the Water

MrBillM - 12-29-2008 at 02:38 PM

Proper flag etiquette on the water for a foreign-registered vessel is to fly a courtesy flag from the spreader representing the national waters that you're in while flying the flag of registry in the traditional spot at the stern, Top of the mast, etc. so there should be no complaint from other than an ignorant person when doing so.

Of, course, wasn't there another thread in the Baja News regarding the educational level of Mexican Police ? That COULD be a problem.

So...Anyone?

Dave - 12-29-2008 at 05:11 PM

Is it legal for us gringos to fly a U.S. flag over our Mexican casas?

[Edited on 12-30-2008 by Dave]

Quien Sabe ?

MrBillM - 12-29-2008 at 05:19 PM

The LAW in Mexico isn't what's written down, but what the cop on the spot thinks it is on that day at that moment.

Any of us who have been going to Baja long enough have gotten conflicting information from every sort of official we've ever dealt with. Dealing with Customs, I've found that sometimes those in the same spot at the same time can't agree and each just does things his/her way.

I've got a flagpole out front where I fly a number of National flags. Mexico at the top (and larger) followed by U.S. (next size down) and others (courtesy flag size). Police AND Army patrols have driven by and noticed them. Their only reaction has been to wave. I was once complimented for showing the proper respect because the Mex flag was at the top AND BIGGER.

Pescador - 12-30-2008 at 12:22 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Dave
Is it legal for us gringos to fly a U.S. flag over our Mexican casas?

[Edited on 12-30-2008 by Dave]


We were told by a representative of the Governor's office that it was alright to fly an American Flag at our house but it was in better taste to fly the host country flag either on top or on a taller mast. They liked what we did with the Mexican flag center, higher mast, American flag to the right, slightly lower mast, and the Colorado State flag to the left, slightly lower mast.
We did have a goofball in camp one year that had a really big American flag but we talked to him and indicated that it carried a connotation of conquering a foreign country and that he could do better with a double display. Some of the locals were upset but afraid to confront him, but he did manage to take it down and attitudes improved.

BajaGringo - 12-30-2008 at 12:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
You can even burn it if you want to. Your freedom of speech is a right.


Not in front of me!!!!


Dennis - did you know that the proper way to dispose of an old/tattered flag was to burn it? Back in the day when I was a Scoutmaster we would be given old flags that had flow over schools/government buildings, etc. While on campouts and via a very solemn ceremony the flag would be honored and then submitted to fire. I personally conducted dozens of these ceremonies and they were always very moving and memorable.

Before beginning each ceremony I would always explain the process and procedural precedent as someone was always wanting to jump up thinking we were about to desecrate the flag...

DENNIS - 12-30-2008 at 01:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaGringo
Dennis - did you know that the proper way to dispose of an old/tattered flag was to burn it?


I think I remember hearing that long ago, Ron, but that wasn't what I was talking about. I just don't want to see the flag burned as a statement of any kind.

Ken Cooke - 12-30-2008 at 01:21 PM

The rear bumper of my Jeep contains a sticker that reads, "Don't Dirty up Baja." There is also a small Mexican Flag on that sticker. Cool!


Baja-Brit - 12-31-2008 at 07:03 AM

I always fly the Mexican tricolour above the Union flag, it's a mark of respect, a courtesy, and has'nt got me into hot water thus far!



Christmas Day 2007


As you were.

Bruce R Leech - 12-31-2008 at 11:54 AM

you can fly the Mexican flag every day if you do it properly. never put a US flag bigger or above the Mexican flag.

Bruce R Leech - 12-31-2008 at 11:55 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Baja-Brit
I always fly the Mexican tricolour above the Union flag, it's a mark of respect, a courtesy, and has'nt got me into hot water thus far!



Christmas Day 2007


As you were.


the santa hat could get you

Why?

Dave - 12-31-2008 at 02:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bruce R Leech
you can fly the Mexican flag every day if you do it properly. never put a US flag bigger or above the Mexican flag.


Is it against the law?





How about this?

DENNIS - 12-31-2008 at 03:02 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Dave




How about this?


Isn't the upside down flag a distress signal?

Why all the consternation about flying the Mexican flag? Mexico has different guidelines than the States so, respect that. When in doubt, keep the flag in the house. Like so many other rules and regulations, as well as laws, the interpretation can vary at the moment. Seems that the compulsion to fly the Mexican flag is aggrevated by the existance of rules, the desire to live on the edge of what's allowable.
How many here pledge allegiance to the Mexican flag? My guess is that it's a minority of few. Personally, I see a greater degree of disrespect when any national icon is displayed as an ornament devoid of sentiment and in most cases, that's what we have here.
Flying a flag is making a statement. What is your statement!!!

gnukid - 1-1-2009 at 11:34 AM

There are laws in Mexico

For example everyone knows you shouldn't use any image of the bandera de mexico in your clothing or in any manner which is not in honor to the flag, so that's why its against the law to wear a mexican flag string bikini but you can wear an american flag string bikini-everyone knows that, no mexican flag patches on your jeans or bandanas or you are asking for trouble... Obviously no mexican flag halter tops, mini skirts, underwear or anything less than an honor to the flag of mexico-they teach that in school.

Things SEEM ?

MrBillM - 1-1-2009 at 12:12 PM

Well, I don't know about that.

I had been flying my flags for many years in residence totally ignorant that there were any laws regulating such "proper" display UNTIL one of my Gringa neighbors mentioned that she'd asked in town about buying a flag and was told it should only be flown on specific days outlined in Mexican Law. She asked me what I knew about it and that was NOTHING. I did know from a friend who had a Mex Flag T-shirt that such display wasn't acceptable.

Speaking ONLY for myself, I have a firm attitude of usually doing NOTHING which might irritate the Mexican authorities, knowing well that my Constitutional guarantees don't transfer Southward.

Back in my flying days, I was once told acidly by a girlfriend after clearing Mexican customs that she thought I was going to kiss the guy's foot. Her First trip to Mexico.

Until someone says otherwise, I'll continue flying Las Banderas.

If some Mex official comes by and says "take them down", it will be "Si Senor", at least until he leaves.

a wonderful memory

capt. mike - 1-1-2009 at 05:01 PM

of times a few years ago......
i love her so much!

and the bandera pirata flew proudly!

one year before we got our palapa.....waited in line for our turn...now it is another's.:cool:

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