Z--Z--Z--Zia Pet

The simple and meaningful design of the New Mexico flag features a Zia, an ancient symbol of the sun as found on a late 19th century water jar from Zia Pueblo.

Four is the sacred number of the Zia and can be found repeated in the four points radiating from the circle:

1. Directions of the of the compass
North
East
South
West

2. Seasons of the year
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

3. Parts of each day
Sunrise
Noon
Evening
Night

4. Seasons of life
Childhood
Youth
Adulthood
Old age

The Zia also believed that with life came four sacred obligations:
1. Development of a strong body
2. A clear mind
3. a pure spirit
4. devotion to the welfare of people/family

All of these things are bound together within the circle of life, symbolized by the circle in the center of the flag's Zia.