Mexico is known to be a Catholic country, mainly influenced by the Spanish colonists as early as the middle of the previous millennium. Being such, Mexico is also known to be a country that celebrates a lot of festivals, thanks to their close link with celebrating their patron saints and other special events. Anytime any host city or town celebrates a festival, streets and avenues are adorned with fiesta flags and banners. Parades and street dancing are seen, merrymaking is found everywhere, and basically all are in good spirits. Papel picado, the main material used in making these flags and banners are used in great amounts to provide a festive and lively aura.
These fiesta flags have been used as early as pre-colonial era, when the Aztecs were still living untouched of Western influence. The material amatl was used as “paper” for flags and similar banners and were painted with their commemorated gods and deities they worshiped.
As the Spanish successfully colonized and found its way into the Mexican culture in modern times, their culture have greatly influenced the manner in which the Mexicans celebrated their festivals and special events. From amatl, the papel picado was used now, and where the gods and deities were seen portrayed on the fiesta flags, crosses, angels, and patron saints now found their way into the canvass.
Colors became more vibrant. According to Dale Hoyt Palfrey, an American writer, flags depicted even the Virgin Mary, depicted in pink or a hue similar to that of sky blue. Patron saints were also portrayed in backgrounds of yellow and white. Some days like that of the Day of the Dead, pink and orange are seen as used by the merrymakers.