From afar, it looks like a huge smiling man. It rises above the city, so you can see it from every point. Even from another country! This huge “X” does not make you study maths, but for locals it means a lot… It is a mix of indigenous Mexican traditions and new Spanish ones. 

But it is so hard to find it. If you live in the US state of Texas, you can navigate the way to Mexico with it. The sculpture is located on the border of the two countries.

The sculptor Sebastian installed “Mexicanidad” or “La X”, called like this by locals, in the main square of the city. Its height is about 64 meters. It is made of the red metal.

 This is a symbol of accepting the indigenous culture of the ancient peoples and Spanish traditions by Mexicans. They love them. For so many years, these two different cultures have mixed. They became one whole and formed a new independent Mexican culture.

There is another version of the origin of “La X”. It is a symbol of Mexican independence. The letter “X” is the third letter in the name of the country. It used to be “J”, but President Benito Juarez changed it to “X”.

Have you noticed it? One of the tops of the “La X” is not finished. It seems to be torn off. It has an explanation. The sculptor wanted to show that it is hard to reach symmetry, an ideal. But nobody says it is impossible. This detail symbolizes the pursuit of ideal, constant work. It is a reference to the endless efforts that Mexicans make to improve the city, country, nation.

You need to come to the square at night. You will not be bored. For about half an hour, you will admire the illuminated and therefore even more magnificent monument.