Flag of New Mexico

State: New Mexico

Proportions: 2:3

New Mexico Flag Description:
The flag of New Mexico consists of a yellow base with a red emblem in the center.

New Mexico Flag Meaning:
Red and yellow are the colors of the Spanish conquistadors who explored New Mexico in the mid-16th century. The colors represent New Mexico's historical link to Spain. The emblem is an ancient sun symbol of the Zia; a Native American people indigenous to the region.

To the Zia, four was a sacred number and groups of four can be seen in the sun symbol; four groups of rays emanate from the centre circle and each group has four individual rays. The Zia believed the giver of life gave them things in groups of four, including the seasons, the cycle of the day (sunrise, noon, evening and night) and the cycle of life (childhood, youth, middle years and old age).

New Mexico Flag History:
The flag was adopted on Mar. 19, 1925. New Mexico is the 47th state of the union, gaining statehood on Jan. 6, 1912.

Interesting New Mexico Facts:
New Mexico's state nickname is the Land of Enchantment.

The flag is based on a design created by Dr. Harry Mera during a flag competition.