The yellow field and red symbol colors are the colors of Spain. First brought to New Mexico by Spanish explorers in 1540. On New Mexico's flag we see a red sun with rays streching out from it. There are four groups of rays with four rays in each group. This is an ancient sun symbol of a Native American people called the Zia. The Zia believed that the giver of all good gave them gifts in groups of four. These gifts are: The four directions - north, east, south and west.
- The four seasons - spring, summer, fall and winter.
- The day - sunrise, noon, evening and night.
- Life itself - childhood, youth, middle years and old age.
All of these are bound by a circle of life and love, without a beginning or end
