In the green field highlighted, five stars, symbolizing the five departments that Yucatan was divided by decree of November 30, 1840: Mérida, Izamal, Valladolid, Tekax and Campeche.

[7]The meaning of the colors of the state flag are as follows: The flag was first flown on March 16, 1841, when it was hoisted on the Ayuntamiento municipal building in the "Plaza Grande" of Mérida, the capital city of the state of Yucatán.

This action was a protest against the centralism of Mexican president Antonio López de Santa Anna.

[7][8] Although not formally recognized at the time, the flag was used throughout the 20th century at ceremonies and festivals of various kinds.

The flag's use increased after 2000, after tensions between then governor Víctor Cervera Pacheco and the federal government, and spread rapidly being carried in cars, shirts, posters, etc., as a manifestation of local feeling against the federal government.