The flag of the state of New Mexico consists of a red sun symbol of the Zia on a field of yellow. The colors honor the flag of Spain and the Crown of Aragon which was brought by the conquistadors.
A 1920s contest to design the new state flag was won by Dr. Harry Mera of Santa Fe. Mera was an archaeologist who was familiar with the Zia Sun Symbol found at Zia Pueblo on a 19th-century pot. The symbol has sacred meaning to the Zia. Four is a sacred number which symbolizes the Circle of Life: the four directions, the four times of day, the four stages of life, and the four seasons. The circle binds the four elements of four together. His winning design is the flag that the state uses today.
Historical Flags
Reconstruction of an unofficial New Mexico flag, dating back to San Diego World's Fair of 1915.
Proposals for a New Flag of New Mexico
New Mexico State Flag Symplistic Proposal. The existing flag’s design is iconic and is one of the best liked state flags so I didn’t change much, just the color. By Ed Mitchell. 2013.
New Mexico State Flag Proposal No. 2b Designed By: Stephen Richard Barlow 27 FEB 2015 at 1109 HRS CST.
NM flag proposal by 5thEye
New Mexico Flag by "ZeekLTK"
New Mexico flag proposal by Tim Ritz. Textless version.
Old New Mexico. Before the design was nailed down it had a black border and white middle. Thus 4 colours also to stand for the four aspects of life. The emblem was taken from a rock drawing and if you study it the proportions of the fingers were longer and thiner. Design By Rotten Ali
Proposal for a flag for New Mexico. This flag doesn't really need an update urgently, as it is both beautiful and unique. If there was one thing that I could change, it would be increasing the size of the center symbol, to enhance visibility from a distance. By Qaz Dec 2019 (details)