New Mexico State Flags
The state of New Mexico is located in the southwest of the United States of America. The assumption that the state of New Mexico was named after the sovereign nation of Mexico is incorrect. After becoming the 47th state admitted to the Union in 1912, the state flag of New Mexico was conceived. Before the official state flag was born, an unofficial flag of New Mexico was used during the San Diego World Fair in 1915. The flag had a blue background with the US flag at the top left corner, along with the number "47" in the top right corner, as it was the 47th state, the words "New Mexico" written in silver at the center, and the state seal in the bottom right.
The New Mexico state flag is one of the only state flags in America that does not include the state's seal or coat of arms. Those features make New Mexico state flags stand out from the rest of the state flags and ensure that it has one of the most unique designs in the country. The combination of a native symbol with colonial colors on the state flag of New Mexico embodies the hope for unity between the two cultural groups in the state.
Who Designed the New Mexico State Flag?
The Daughters of the American Revolution suggested that a new design be adopted that was more representative of the unique character of New Mexico. This idea had many supporters and, as had been done in other states, a design competition was launched. The DAR pushed New Mexico to design a contemporary and unique flag in 1920, and the winner of the flag design contest was Dr. Harry Mera, a Santa Fe physician and archeologist. The flag at that time was constructed by Dr. Mera's wife, Reba.
What is the Design of the New Mexico State Flag?
The simple and meaningful design features an interpretation of an ancient symbol of the sun as found on a late 19th century water jar from Zia Pueblo. This red symbol is called a "Zia" and is centered on a field of yellow. Dr. Mera’s design incorporated aspects from both of these cultures, producing a design that tells a story from New Mexico’s colorful history.
Official specifications of the flag are as follows:
"The proportion of the flag shall be a width of two-thirds its length. The sun symbol shall be one-third of the length of the flag. The diameter of the circle in the center of the symbol shall be one-third of the width of the symbol. Said flag shall conform in color and design described herein. [...] Official dimensions of the flag itself are 2:3, specified in the law."
What is the Meaning of the New Mexico State Flag?
Interestingly, the flag design also honors the Zia people, a puebloan tribe located in New Mexico. The symbol has sacred meaning to the Zia. The number four is embodied in the four points of the of the compass, North, East, South and West; in the four seasons of the year Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter; in the 24 hours of each day by sunrise, noon, evening and night; by four seasons of life, childhood, youth, adulthood and old age. The Zia also believed that with life came four sacred obligations: development of a strong body, a clear mind, a pure spirit and devotion to the welfare of people/family. All of these things are bound together within the circle of life.
The circle binds the four elements of four together. Their symbol for the sun (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.
What do the Colors on the New Mexico Flag Represent?
The New Mexico state flag is only one of four U.S. state flags not to contain the color blue. In contrast to most American state flags, the current New Mexico flag is starkly simple.
The colors are based on the flag of Spain, which had ruled New Mexico until the early 19th century as part of the Viceroyalty of New Spain. The red and yellow colors are the colors of Isabel of Castilla brought to the continent by the Spanish Conquistadors.
When was the New Mexico State Flag Adopted?
During the first 14 years of statehood, New Mexico did not have an official flag. Dr. Mera's flag design was officially adopted on March 1925. The New Mexico flag serves as a symbol of honor, heritage and regional pride and is displayed at state buildings.
Displaying the New Mexico State Flag?
There is a strict Order of Precedence for flags. State Flags are displayed in order as they entered the Union. And that the American National flag must be higher than the New Mexico state flag when displayed on a single flagpole.
