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Morelia, Michoacan de Ocampo (Mexico)

Last modified: 2022-08-13 by juan manuel gabino villascán
Keywords: mexico | morelia | michoacán de ocampo | coat of arms | valladolid | yellow | red | morelos y pavó (josé maría) |
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Morelia, Michoacan de Ocampo, Mexico [Civil and state flag] | [Variant: One of two or more versions of the same basic design] | [Alternate: One of two or more flags that may be used, in general or under certain circumstances, for the same function]
by Juan Manuel Gabino Villascán, 1 July 2020.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
Flag officially adopted: 29 December 2015, by edict published on 28 December 2015.


See:

Flag

Article 10 of the edict published on 28 December 2015 describes the flag in the following terms: "The Flag of the Municipality of Morelia which shall bear in the center the Coat of Arms of Morelia, shall be painted yellow in the upper half while the lower one shall be painted red."

According to Gabriel Silva Mandujano in its article El Escudo de Armas de Morelia (H. Ayuntamiento de Morelia. Dirección del Archivo General, Histórico y Museo de la Ciudad. Mexico 2013), "in order to celebrate the 450 anniversary of the foundation of Morelia, then Valladolid, in 1991 a flag was designed. The flag was rectangular, divided into two horizontal bands with the coat of arms in the center, the upper band was yellow and the lower one red, colors were inspired on those of the coat of arms: the golden background and purple of royalty. From then on flag and coat of arms fly on municipal public buildings on holidays, such as 18 May every year, anniversary of the foundation of the Michoacan capital". Unfortunately, Silva Mandujano does not mention any source nor reliable image or picture of the event; he only illustrates the paragraph with an image I personally depicted for FOTW back in 2002 ( Michocan: Colonial flag and coat of arms [1541-1821]) with the colors reversed, sadly he does not give any credit at all.

It was until 18 May 2020, in the frame of 479 anniversary of the city’s foundation, when, for the first time, the first monumental flag of the city was hoisted at the Héroes de la Independencia (Independence Heroes) square. The flag follows the description provided by the 2015 edict: bicolor yellow over red and the coat of arms in the middle: 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Juan Manuel Gabino Villascán, 1 July 2020.


During Habsburg rule, in the Colonial age, mostly of the territory cunrrently composes Michoacán de Ocampo was named Kingdom of Michoacan, then, with the Borbon, Province of Valladolid de Michoacan [No sources mentioned]. The colonial flag with the arms in the center was created for the province [No sources mentioned]. It was used until the fall of Iturbide on March 19, 1823, as the Michoacán flag and forbidden (by the republicans) because of its "Hispanic" colors [No sources mentioned]. It became to be used once more but as symbolic of the city of Morelia (formerly Valladolid) in 1991 on the 450th anniversary of its foundation. The flag is currently hoisted in the city's square and other several public buildings. This information was gotten by means of a person dedicated to study the city's history.
Daniel Rosas Tinoco, February 16, 2002.


After 18 years, regarding the FOTW site on the flag of Morelia, I would like to make a comment: colors of the flag are reversed [Note by editor: from red over yellow to yellow over red.], and remove the reference to the Viceroyalty Age, since after a long time I can say that there is no ground to affirm that the flag was used as a provincial flag at any given moment.
Daniel Rosas Tinoco, 2 July 2020.


Variants and alternate versions of the flag

Several variants and alternate versions of the municipal flag have existed to be flown in the municipal buildings and during civic holidays.
Juan Manuel Gabino Villascán, 2 July 2020


    Yellow over red with colored coat of arms

Alternate version of the flag of Morelia
by Juan Manuel Gabino Villascán, 2 July 2020.
1

Flag based on a photo published by Wikipedia.
Juan Manuel Gabino Villascán, 2 July 2020.


    Yellow over red with black-outlined coat of arms

Alternate version of the flag of Morelia
by Juan Manuel Gabino Villascán, 2 July 2020
1 | 2 | 3 |

Flags colored yellow over red with the coat of arms outlined in black hang from the balconies at municipal government buildings during civic holidays.
Juan Manuel Gabino Villascán, 2 July 2020.


    Red over yellow with colored coat of arms

Alternate version of the flag of Morelia
by Juan Manuel Gabino Villascán, 2 July 2020
1 | 2 | 3 |

This flag was seen in February 2012 when the then Governor Fausto Vallejo Figueroa and the then Major of Morelia Manuel Nocetti Tiznado made an overviewing by the Poliforum Digital at the Bicentenerio Sporting Complex. The flag was also seen in 2013 as a gift to the city hall by a sporting team. During the 14th World Congress of the Organization of World Heritage Cities “Heritage & Communities: tools to engage local communities” that took place on 31 October 31 - 03 November 2017 in Gyeongju, Republic of Korea, Morelia jointly with other 92 cities from all over the world, took part in the event flying this flag.
Juan Manuel Gabino Villascán, 2 July 2020.


    Red over yellow with monochromatic coat of arms

Alternate version of the flag of Morelia
by Juan Manuel Gabino Villascán, 2 July 2020
1

A flag like this flew over the city-hall building around 2001.
Juan Manuel Gabino Villascán, 2 July 2020.


    Yellow over red plain bicolor

Alternate version of the flag of Morelia
by Juan Manuel Gabino Villascán, 2 July 2020
1 | 2 | 3 |

This flag was seen in the city hall meeting-room and public events, until 2015 it was hoisted jointly with another flag with the reversed colors. It was broadly used during the administration of Alfonso Martínez Alcázar (2015 - 2018).
Juan Manuel Gabino Villascán, 2 July 2020.


    Red over yellow plain bicolor

Alternate version of the flag of Morelia
by Juan Manuel Gabino Villascán, 2 July 2020
1 | 2 | 3 |

There are states that have unofficial flags simultaneusly appreciated jointly with the National, e.g. Jalisco, and Yucatan. In Michoacan, there is also a flag featured by two horizontal stripes red over yellow. This flag has been seen flaying over public buildings.
Arnoldo Hernández, December 10, 1991.


This flag was seen in the city hall meeting-room and public events, until 2015 it was hoisted jointly with another flag with the reversed colors. It is the preferred variant used by the administration of Raúl Morón Orozco (2018 - 2021), also used in his corporate image.
Juan Manuel Gabino Villascán, 2 July 2020.


    Triband red-yellow-red with coat of arms outlined in red

Alternate version of the flag of Morelia
by Juan Manuel Gabino Villascán, 2 July 2020
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |

This flag was seen a top of the municipal headquarters in 2013. Until now (July 2020), it is also hoisted at the Morelos Square every civic holiday.
Juan Manuel Gabino Villascán, 2 July 2020.


    Swallowtail red over yellow

Alternate version of the flag of Morelia
by Juan Manuel Gabino Villascán, 2 July 2020
1

From a photo taken by my-self in March 2005 .
Juan Manuel Gabino Villascán, 2 July 2020.


Pennants

Pennant
by Juan Manuel Gabino Villascán, 2 July 2020
1


Pennant
by Juan Manuel Gabino Villascán, 2 July 2020
1


Coat of arms

Coat of arms of Morelia
by Juan Manuel Gabino Villascán, 24 March 2014.

Once the province of Michoacan was formed, its first capital was settled in Patzcuaro. Then, in 1537 a group of Spanish families wanted to move the capital someplace else, leaving the ancient province capital behind and requesting to the Spanish crown the territory for their new city. In 1541, Viceroy Antonio de Mendoza granted permission for building the new capital in the valley of Guayangareo. The capital, founded in 1541, was baptized Valladolid, and Emperor Chearles I of Spain, V of Germany, granted a coat of arms to the city...

"...made up into three parts; each with a king, crowned and dressed in purple, on a gold field, holding each a scepter. A royal crown as a crest with inlaid jewelry in blue, red, and green. As mantling black and gold plants with all their branches..."

Daniel Rosas Tinoco, February 16, 2002.


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