New Mexico State Symbol

Zia (Sun symbol)

See Flag

Adopted in 1925.

The Zia are an indigenous tribe centered at Zia Pueblo, an Indian reservation in New Mexico, U.S.. The Zia are known for their pottery and use of the Sun symbol. The people are a branch of the large Pueblo community

In 1923, the D.A.R. conducted a design competition to produce a flag that was representative of New Mexico's unique character. The distinguished Santa Fe physician and archaeologist, Dr. Harry Mera won the competition. His wife, Reba constructed the winning design with a symbolic red Zia on a field of gold. In March of 1925, Governor Arthur T. Hannett signed the legislation which proclaimed the Mera design as the official state flag.

The Zia Indians of New Mexico regard the Sun as a sacred symbol. Their symbol, a red circle with groups of rays pointing in four directions, is painted on ceremonial vases, drawn on the ground around campfires, and used to introduce newborns to the Sun. Four is the sacred number of the Zia and can be found repeated in the four points radiating from the circle. The number four is embodied in:

The 16 rays represent important ideas found in our natural world. The earth, with its four directions (north, east, south and west) and four seasons (winter, spring, summer and fall); the four parts of day (morning/dawn, noon/daylight, afternoon/dusk, and night/dark); the four divisions of life (infancy, youth, adulthood, and old age); and all of these elements are bound together by a circle representing life and love, with no beginning and without end.