Every state has its own flag and each comes not only with its own design but its own story. The New Mexico story is pretty cool.

New Mexico joined the United States of America, shifting from a territory to state, in 1912. That same year, Arizona did the same thing.

New Mexico didn't have a state flag for its first 10 years as a state although an unofficial flag popped up in 1915. It didn't look a thing like the current flag.

What Did New Mexico's First State Flag Look Like?

According to a-zanimals.com, a guy named Ralph Twitchell first designed a flag that had a blue background with the United States flag in one corner, the state seal in another and the words "New Mexico" in the middle.

Sounds kinda lame, huh?  The Daughters of the American Revolution thought so and kicked off a flag design competition in 1923, choosing the winner in 1925.

Who Designed The New Mexico State Flag?

A doctor named Harry Mera and his wife Reba came up with the winning look, modeled after the Zia pueblo tribe's sacred sun symbol. A cross with each part, top, bottom, left, right, composed of 4 lines.

According to this article, the Zia sun symbol represents life. Its repetitive use of the number 4 represents 4 phases of 4 things. The 4 seasons, 4 directions, 4 parts of each day and 4 phases of life, (Read more here.)

New Mexico State Flag Fun Facts from A-Z Animals:

  • Despite its simplicity, the New Mexico flag was considered the best of all American states in a 2001 North American Vexillological Association poll.
  • The New Mexico flag is one of only four state flags that doesn’t feature blue – the others being Alabama, California, and Maryland.
  • The flag of New Mexico is notable for featuring unique Native American imagery, making it one of just two state flags to do so – the other being Oklahoma.

Vexillological-ists study flags. Who knew?

To read about the Texas state flag, click here.

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