New Mexico State Flags

History of the New Mexico State Flag

The flag of New Mexico is the official flag of the U.S. state of New Mexico and was officially adopted by the New Mexico legislature on May 3, 1920. The flag consists of a red sun symbol on a field of yellow, with the red and yellow colors symbolizing the Spanish heritage of New Mexico. The sun symbol, called the Zia Sun Symbol, is an ancient Native American symbol that represents the four cardinal directions, the four seasons, and the four phases of life. The symbol is also meant to evoke feelings of unity and community. The flag is based on the ancient sun symbol used by the Zia Pueblo tribe, and the design was chosen from a competition held by the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1912. The design was chosen for its simplicity and for its symbolism, which is meant to represent the state's Native American and Spanish heritage.