New Mexico's distinctive insignia is the Zia Sun Symbol, which
originated with the Indians of Zia Pueblo in ancient times. Its
design reflects their tribal philosophy, with its wealth of
pantheistic spiritualism teaching the basic harmony of all
things in the universe.
Four is the sacred number of Zia, and the
figure is composed of a circle from which four points radiate.
These points made up of four straight lines of varying length
personify the number most often used by the Giver of all good
gifts.
To the Zia Indian, the sacred number is
embodied in the earth, with its four directions North, South,
East and West; in the year, with its four seasons; in the day,
with the sunrise, noon, evening, and night; in life, with its
four divisions--childhood, youth, manhood, and old age.
Everything is bound together in a circle of life and love,
without beginning, without end.
The Zia believe, too, that in this great
brotherhood of all things, man has four sacred obligations: he
must develop a strong body, a clear mind, a pure spirit, and a
devotion to the welfare of his people.