Symbols

The state symbols of New Mexico include the symbol seen on the state flag, which is the the Zia Pueblo sun symbol as displayed on the state flag, as well as the symbols on State Seal, which shows the Mexican eagle under the wing of the American eagle. New Mexican cuisine has been a source of several symbols like, red and/or green chile peppers, the fleur-de-lis shape of bizcochitos, and piñon pine (and its edible seeds referred to simply as piñon). Several historical events have become symbolic, including representations of the Atom due to the Sandia National Laboratory and the Los Alamos National Laboratory as well as the Manhattan Project, extraterrestrial imagery referencing the Roswell UFO incident, iconography of U.S. Route 66 in New Mexico, and the Wild West.

Symbolism

Colors

Spanish Red and Yellow

By order of colorist’s importance, they are as follows; The colors Yellow and Red, as seen on the state’s flag, represent the Spanish colony and territorial phases of the Santa Fe de Nuevo México. Red and Green representing  the New Mexico chile. Silver and Turquoise commonly associated the state’s metal and jewel artisans. The Spanish initially came to Nuevo México searching for Gold in The Seven Cities of Cibola in the Province of the Tiguex Pueblo natives. Some other colors commonly used are the golden Yellow and Orange sand colors of the desert, the Brown of the fertile mud surrounding the Rio Grande, the Purple and Blue of New Mexico’s mountains and the Pink of the various even colors such as the Sandia Mountains in the evening, Black and Vibrant Neon Colors to represent U.S. Route 66, also the stark Black of the pueblo’s geometric designs with Natural Colors, natural paints similar to Sun-Bleached Colors, the Green colors of Rio Grande Bosque, which turn to Orange and Brown in autumn and winter, and lastly White and Blue for New Mexico’s wide-open sky which turn to Yellow, Orange, Red, and Purple in the evening.

Shapes

Zia Symbol

Specific locations

Though there are symbols specific to various regions and towns in New Mexico, the symbols are often used in representative fashion for, and throughout, the state.

Santa Fe

  • Natural landmarks are often used to represent the city, including; the view of the Santa Fe Mountains, the Santa Fe National Forest, and the Pecos Wilderness.
  • Architectural and man-made landmarks throughout the city, including; the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, the Palace of the Governors, and buildings throughout Santa Fe Plaza, as well as the numerous public displays of various artworks.

Albuquerque

  • The phrase “1706”, referencing the founding date of the city.
  • The city has nicknames like “Duke City”, ABQ, The Q, Burque. Likewise, the people of Albuquerque have taken on several demonyms, “Albuquerquean”, “Burqueño”, and “Albakirk”.
  • Sports mascots represent the city, including the Lobo from UNM, the Duke from the Dukes, and Orbit from the Isotopes.
  • Natural landmarks are often used to represent the city, including; the Sandia Mountains, the Rio Grande Bosque, and the inactive volcanoes in West Mesa.
  • Architectural and man-made landmarks throughout the city, including; the Petroglyph National Monument, the Albuquerque Biological Park, and buildings throughout Old Town Albuquerque and Downtown Albuquerque.

Roswell

  • Rocketry and Spaceflight, inspired by Robert Goddard’s early experiments in the town.
  • Extraterrestrial, and Ufology related imagery, inspired by the Roswell UFO incident.

Las Cruces

  • Las Cruces literally translates to “The Crosses,” meaning that the three Christian Crosses, as well as † symbols are common.

Shiprock

  • The town’s namesake, its inactive ancient large volcanic core referred to as Shiprock due to its ship-like appearance on the horizon.