Mexican Hat Dance has been popular in Mexico since the 18th century. Also known as Jarabe tapatio, meaning 'a mix of musical flavours', in the 1790s the dance was banned by the Spanish colonists because its suggestive movements were considered morally offensive and thus a challenge to Spanish Catholic authority; this made it even more popular among the Mexicans with whom it became a symbol of protest and rebellion. It has been revered as the Mexican national dance ever since the country gained independence from Spain in 1821.