Ladies and gentlemen here is Chicano masterpiece #10 of my top 100 for my virtual Chicano Art Museum. The red background stands for the hard work and sacrifice that the union members would have to give. The white circle signifies hope and aspirations. The UFW incorporated the Aztec eagle into its design in order to show the connection the union had to migrant workers of Mexican-American descent, though not all UFW workers were/are Mexican-American. The Aztec eagle is a historic symbol for the people of Mexico.

The black eagle signifies the dark situation of the farm worker. It gives pride…When people see it they know it means dignity.” The flag was unveiled at the first mass meeting of the newly formed union. Cesar made reference to the flag by stating, “A symbol is an important thing and that is why we chose an Aztec eagle. The symbol of the eagle would give courage to the farm workers. He then squared off the wing edges so that the eagle would be easier for union members to draw on their handmade red flags.

After several attempts, Richard sketched one on a piece of brown wrapping paper. Cesar wanted an Aztec eagle on the flag, but Richard could not make an eagle that he liked. In 1962 Cesar Chávez asked his brother, Richard Chávez to design a flag.

Original ufw flag