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.

Population, 2006 estimate 1,954,599, White persons 84.5%, Black persons 2.4%, American Indian and Alaska Native persons 0.1%, Asian persons 1.3%, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 0.1%, Persons reporting two or more races 1.5%, Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin 43.2%.