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Ask Us about New Mexico!
Last updated on Monday, February 24, 2003
If you have a question, e-mail Ms. Banks.
QUESTION: “I have heard six of the seven life zones are in New Mexico. What does that mean?”
ANSWER:Life zones mean the temperature and moisture at which certain types of vegetation exist. You are correct that New Mexico has six of them:
The Lower Sonoran, usually below 4,500 feet in altitude that permits grazing, the most important agricultural zone.
The Upper Sonoran, areas above 4,500 feet, and especially about 8,000 feet where there is more rainfall for grass, sagebrush, pinons and junipers to grow.
The Transition zone is identified with the yellow pine, in the middle mountain slopes at about 7,000 to 8,500 ft. in the northeast, and 8,000 to 9,500 in the southwest.
The Canadian is the zone of blue spruce and Douglas fir at altitudes of 8,500 to 12,000, providing some lumber.
The Hudsonian zone contains dwarf spruce in a narrow timberline area above 11,000 feet, providing summer pasture for sheep.
The Arctic-Alpine zone is the treeless one on the highest peaks, growing plants identified with the Arctic tundra.
QUESTION: “What Town Council in southeastern New Mexico made a ruling that bees are farm animals?”
ANSWER:The Hagerman (Chaves County) Town Council has the honor of making that ruling. It seems Hagerman has been a quiet farming community since before the 20th Century.
The crime rate is reputed to be low and the Town Council is known for running a tight ship. So, in 1988, when several residents complained about a local beekeeper's bees bothering them, the Town Council searched the ordinances until they found one that said a property owner must have one acre to have a farm animal, with one-half acre provided for each animal.
A simple solution? Yes, the dedicated local officials simply ruled that bees are farm animals, obviously requiring a very large acreage to raise bees. It seems that solved the complaint of the local residents but one wonders what happened to the beekeeper.
QUESTION: “We heard a rumor that a city in Southern New Mexico has a piece of the Berlin Wall. How did that happen? ”
ANSWER:Historical events and the future become entwined in unexpected ways. During World War II, German prisoners were stationed in Orchard Park, just south of Roswell, New Mexico, from 1942-1946. They were periodically assigned to projects in the city. Fifty of the prisoners were detailed to work on a flood control project requiring the layering of rocks along the slanting banks of Spring River. The men designed an Iron Cross with a variety of colors and sizes of rocks and set it firmly in the bank.
Townspeople were upset at the bold display and poured five yards of concrete to cover it. However, wind, rain and erosion exposed the Iron Cross again and prepared it for a place in Roswell's future.
During the building of the Spring River Bike Trail from the east to the west end of the city, vest pocket parks were planned along the route. In 1993, one was located at 10th and Pennsylvania Streets, with an observation point across from the Iron Cross.
The cold war was over and the German Airline Lufthansa and the German Air Force, the Luftwaffe, both trained out of Roswell. Following the fall of the Berlin Wall, and during the welcoming ceremony of the German troops in 1996, former Mayor Tom Jennings mentioned it might be appropriate to have a piece of the Berlin Wall for this small park. The commanding officer agreed and subsequently sent a chunk of it.
Formerly known as the Iron Cross Park, it was renamed POW/MIA Park and dedicated November 11, 1996, "In memory of all the Prisoners of War and those missing in action from all nations. May we never forget."
The plaque reads, "This piece of the Berlin Wall presented to the City of Roswell by the Lufwaffe for the hospitality and good will it experienced during military maneuvers." It came from the democracy side of the wall.
QUESTION: “Driving east on US 380 enroute to Roswell we passed through the ‘town’ of Bingham, New Mexico. It appeared to be two homes alongside the road. I couldn’t help but wonder how these two houses became a town, and how the name was chosen. Can you help?”
ANSWER: Yes, with the help of The Place Names of New Mexico by Robert Julyan. He says: “Bingham, settlement on US 380, 29 miles east of San Antonio, post office 1935 to present. Once as many as 300 people lived in the area of Bingham; now a remnant population and the post office keep the community alive. Sam Jones, who with his wife, Vera, were the village’s only residents in 1988, said ‘Bingham’s a healthy place to live: there never was a church, and there never was a graveyard.’ Bingham takes its name from the homesteader who established the post office. Old Bingham was located two miles north of the present village.
QUESTION: “We were in London one time and "The Buddy Holly Story" was playing. Clovis, New Mexico was involved in his life but what is the connection?”
ANSWER:The connection is with the Norman Petty Recording Studios in Clovis, New Mexico, where Buddy Holly recorded his famous song "Peggy Sue," among others.
Following the expiration of his contract with Decca Records, one that had not helped his career, he headed to the Norman Petty Recording Studios in Clovis, New Mexico, 90 miles from his hometown of Lubbock, Texas.
Most recording studios charged by the hour, but Petty charged a group for a session or a record with no time limits on the studio work involved. Petty's suggestion was for Buddy to go back to Lubbock, form a group, rehearse some songs, then come back to make a record.
Holly did just that, performing with his group, The Crickets. Their record was "Looking for Someone to Love" and "That'll Be the Day" was on the flip side. According to one of the group, they would drive to Clovis after work or after school, work until 2 or 3 a.m., then drive back to Lubbock. February 25, 1957, is the official recording date of these two songs.
Buddy Holly's short life of 22 years (September 7, 1939 - February 3, 1959, when he was killed in a plane crash) has left a legacy of music that has lived on for over 60 years in fan clubs, biographies and a movie, as well as the stage production in London. Norman Petty, whose studios played a role in Holly's musical career, died of leukemia on August 15, 1984, the year the British Broadcasting Company came to Clovis to make a documentary on Buddy Holly.
QUESTION: “What stage route went through Southern New Mexico?”
ANSWER:The Butterfield Stage Route, founded by John Butterfield, went from Tipton, Missouri, where the railroad ended, to San Francisco. This stage route was used to prove the speed of an overland route for mail delivery. One mailbag was dispatched from Tipton on September 16, 1858, via New York City by rail, then around the horn to San Francisco by ship. The other mailbag went via the Butterfield stage, also bound for San Francisco. It arrived in Mesilla, New Mexico on September 30, 1858, 14 days after leaving Missouri. In ten more days it reached San Francisco.
In addition to the mail, six to eight passengers could ride along the entire trip for a $200 fare. The stage stopped at about twenty mile intervals to change the horses or mules, and so passengers might have a meal.
Butterfield’s contract stated that the trip from Tipton to San Francisco be made in no more than 25 days, 23 ½ hours. The overland route made the trip in six days less time than the sea route, thereby proving that the overland stage was a viable means of carrying the mail.
QUESTION: “My friend and I are thinking of taking a road trip down to New Mexico from Seattle sometime in the month of August. We don’t know much about New Mexico other than it looks beautiful in pictures. We would just like to do activities outdoors like camping and hiking. If you have any suggestions, we would greatly appreciate it.”
ANSWER:You can surf the articles in SouthernNewMexico.com that have to do with area attractions and the outdoors. We plan to publish an article specifically on the subject of camping in New Mexico in the future, so watch for that, too.
You can also call the New Mexico Department of Tourism at 1-800-733-6396 to request the latest version of “New Mexico Vacation Guide.” It divides the state into six sections with appropriate information on each area. Good luck and enjoy our great state.
QUESTION: “For reasons of health we have been advised to relocate above 7000 feet elevation. Do you know of any areas in New Mexico that meet that criteria?”
ANSWER: According to the Blue Book from the Office of the Secretary of State, the following locations are at or above 7000 feet: Angel Fire, 8500; Chama, 7850; Cloudcroft, 8660; Eagle Nest, 8262; Los Alamos, 7355; Questa,7500; Raton, 6932; Red River, 8676; Ruidoso, 6937; Santa Fe, 7000; and Taos Ski Valley, 9207.
QUESTION: “What is known as the ghost hotel of the 80s?”
ANSWER:Now in ruins, the Dripping Springs Resort was built in the Organ Mountains near Las Cruces in the 1870s by Colonel Eugene Van Patten, a Confederate Civil War Veteran, one of many who settled in New Mexico after the Civil War. The resort had many famous visitors around the turn of the century including Pat Garrett and Pancho Villa. It included the Boyd Sanitorium and the Van Patten Mountain Camp.
The Cox family became the owners but because a number of rare and endangered plants were found here, the Nature Conservancy purchased the property, transferring title to the Bureau of Land Management in exchange for other BLM saleable lands.
A Dripping Springs Trail, beginning at the visitor center of the Cox Ranch, is a 3 mile round trip hike to the ruins of the resort.
QUESTION: “What New Mexico cities have the most pleasingly constant temperature?”
ANSWER:Here are the January and July temperatures of a few cities as listed in the Blue Book of the Secretary of State. This book lists only incorporated towns and cities.
Alamogordo: Jan. 57/28 July 95/65 Population 29,628
Albuquerque: Jan. 46/28 July 91/66 Population 411,994
Deming: Jan. 55/26 July 95/66 Population 13,406
Hatch: Jan. 56/25 July 94/65 Population 1,184
Las Cruces: Jan. 56/25 July 94/65 Population 71,043
Roswell: Jan. 56/27 July 88/66 Population 47,395
Santa Fe: Jan. 55/24 July 93/63 Population 62,514
Truth or Consequences: Jan. 54/27 July 92/66 Population 4,382The cold does go below freezing occasionally. The heat is a dry heat as the rainfall is only about 12-15 inches in most places. It can snow in these locations but in Southern New Mexico it is generally gone within a day or two. The elevation of all of New Mexico is above 3500 feet.
QUESTION: “I'm trying to find out what year ‘Land of Enchantment’ first appeared on New Mexico license plates. Can you help?”
ANSWER:Originally, “Land of Enchantment” was used as a slogan by business establishments promoting trade, according to the Taxation and Revenue Department. The Motor Vehicles Division is a part of that Department. In 1940, the State Legislature officially adopted “Land of Enchantment,” and it first appeared on New Mexico license plates in 1941. That slogan, however, didn't convince people who weren't students of geography that New Mexico was a part of the United States.
So during Garrey Carruthers' term as Governor, 1987-1990, he was able to urge the State Legislature to add “USA” to the license plates. When most people outside of New Mexico see the license, "Mexico" is the first word to catch their attention. There are still those, however, who do not know that New Mexico is the 47th State. New Mexico Magazine has an entire page devoted to “One of our 50 is Missing.”" It relates anecdotes and experiences of those who try to convince business people that we use U.S. currency, that we are a part of the U.S. postal system, that students enrolling in out-of-state colleges are citizens of the U.S. The list goes on, but eventually New Mexico will be recognized as a Land of Enchantment in the United States of America.
QUESTION: “Could you help me identify the four largest and four smallest cities in New Mexico?”
ANSWER:According to the 1994 population estimates Albuquerque is the largest with 411,994 population, elevation 5326 feet. Second is Las Cruces with 71,043 people at an elevation of 3909 feet. The State Capital of Santa Fe is third with 62,514 population at an elevation of 7000 feet. Roswell is fourth with 47,395 New Mexicans (no aliens) at 3669 feet elevation.
The smallest is Grenville with a population of 24 at 6002 elevation. Causey is next smallest with 61 people at 4000 feet elevation. Third smallest is Folsom with 70 population at 6500 feet. House is the fourth smallest with 73 people at 4850 elevation.
However more recent figures (1998) show Rio Rancho, near Albuquerque, with a population of 50,041 up from 41,492 people in the 1994 population estimate and has bypassed Roswell to become the fourth largest city.
QUESTION: “Lucien Maxwell is well-known for the area around Cimarron, NM but in the mural at the DeBaca County Court House in Fort Sumner, his home is pictured there. Why?”
ANSWER:You are right about Lucien Maxwell and the northeastern part of New Mexico, where he possessed the single largest land holding in the Western Hemisphere - 1.7 million acres of minerals, timber and pasture. He inherited it all from his father-in-law. The land grant was approved by the U.S. Congress, and confirmed by the Supreme Court, but whether it was valid or not has been a very controversial subject. He also chartered the first bank in New Mexico in Santa Fe in 1870.
Obviously, he was a wealthy man, so he was able to purchase Fort Sumner from the government after the Fort was abandoned. It is said he enlarged the officers’ quarters to make it into a 20 room house for himself. Billy the Kid was often a visitor, and that mural of which you speak shows Billy with his horse in front of the home. It was in this house that Pat Garrett shot Billy, in July of 1881. These events explain why his residence is included in the mural.
QUESTION: “I am hoping you can help me find the Trappist Monastery that is located in New Mexico. I have searched and searched and cannot find anything. I believe the name of it is ‘Christ of the Desert Monastery’.”
ANSWER: The office of the Poor Clare Sisters here in Roswell was able to provide some information. It is a Benedictine Monastery rather than Trappist and is located in Abiquiu, New Mexico. You can contact them by writing to Christ of the Desert Monastery, Abiquiu, NM 87510. It's in a lovely location – Georgia O'Keeffe Country. We hope this helps you in your search.
QUESTION: “What is the origin of the word Hondo?”
ANSWER: The origin of the word is Spanish, meaning “deep, or profound.” The Hondo River (Rio Hondo) is formed where the Rio Bonito and the Rio Ruidoso meet, so one would assume the river is deep here. The Hondo Valley isn't exactly deep although there are the Peter Hurd hills on either side of the highway, making it a valley. Its beauty can be appreciated throughout the year when the fruit trees bloom in spring, cattle graze in summer, and leaves turn in autumn. The scenery is very peaceful, pastoral and, yes, profound. It is unlike any other part of New Mexico and for those who may think New Mexico is desert, it will be a happy discovery.
QUESTION: “How is Pancho Villa associated with Columbus, New Mexico?”
ANSWER:March 9, 1916, is a day of infamy in the life of citizens and soldiers at Columbus, New Mexico. About 4:20 a.m. Pancho Villa's bandits, 600 strong, made a surprise raid on Columbus and Camp Furlong, housing the 13th Cavalry. Eight soldiers died, two of whom were band members killed in their barracks. The construction of that barracks was wood with a tin roof , and the bullets came through the wood, killing the two musicians. In addition, ten civilians and 200 plus Villistas lost their lives in that raid.
Businesses were looted and fires were set, burning many buildings. According to a pamphlet by Richard R. Dean of Columbus, the raid lasted until just after daylight. When Pancho Villa's men retreated they were pursued by 59 troopers and four officers fifteen miles into Mexico.
The following week general John J. (Blackjack) Pershing took several thousand troops into Mexico in pursuit of Villa. They spent almost a year in a Punitive Expedition chasing Pancho but did not catch him.
This was the first time planes had been used for reconnaissance, preparing the way for later use in World War I. Other experiments were tried at this camp for the first time, i.e. the first grease rack upon which vehicles could be driven up and serviced from beneath was put in use.
Pancho Villa State Park is located on the site of old Camp Furlong. It is a 49 acre, 65 space campground now, offering one of the most beautiful desert botanical gardens in the Southwest. Columbus is designated a National Historic Site.
QUESTION: “What is the route of the Billy the Kid Scenic Byway?”
ANSWER: Billy the Kid Scenic Byway in New Mexico covers 84.2 miles on three highways: U.S.70/380, NM 48 and NM 214, with an actual driving time of about 90 minutes. If you begin the route at the Billy the Kid Interpretive Center in Ruidoso Downs, you are on U.S. 70. The Center orients visitors, and offers a physical map of the route with suggested stopping places.Just across the driveway is the Hubbard Museum of the American West with "Free Spirits at Noisy Water," an equine sculpture by Dave McGary, inviting you into the Museum. Next is the Ruidoso Downs Racetrack and Casino as you travel west to Ruidoso. Go through the village to NM 48, then north to Capitan, home of Smokey Bear. Back on U.S. 380, turn southeast about 4 miles to NM 214, turn right 3 miles to Ft. Stanton, established in 1850, and home of the renowned Buffalo Soldiers of the Ninth Cavalry. It has been the site of many different occupants since its closure as a Fort. A Merchant Marine Cemetery is on the site.
Go back to U.S. 380, turn right and proceed to Lincoln, a National Historic Landmark and a State Monument, a village virtually unchanged since the Lincoln County War. Continue from Lincoln on U.S. 380 to the junction with U.S. 70 in Hondo, turn right to San Patricio, home of the late Henriette Wyeth and Peter Hurd, whose paintings are exhibited at La Riconada.. Continuing west to Glencoe, home of Rural Events Center and the annual Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium. Go ten more miles southwest and you’re back at the start, the Billy the Kid Interpretive Center.
QUESTION: “How large is the Mescalero Indian Reservation? ”
ANSWER: The Mescalero Apache Reservation, as it is technically known, contains 460,000 acres. It includes the Sierra Blanca Mountains, with a wealth of timber, grazing lands and scenic beauty. The town of Mescalero is the headquarters. The Mescalero Apaches were the last Native Americans to lay down arms against the United States and now function as a federally chartered corporation. They have made the most of the recreational possibilities developing the Sierra Blanca Ski Area (Ski Apache). In addition, they built the Inn of the Mountain Gods with its man made lake and golf course and the resort now contains Apache Casino. The Mescaleros continue their ceremonials and the coming-of-age rites for girls occur the first week of July each year.
QUESTION: “Someone recently mentioned a Soaring Society in Hobbs, New Mexico. Can you tell me anything about it?”
ANSWER:
Just the word "soaring" conjures up a feeling of exhilaration and the unforgettable sensation of motorless flight in gliders and sailplanes. The 15,000 or so members of the Soaring Society of America, Inc., (SSA) would agree. The national headquarters is in Hobbs, New Mexico.
Why Hobbs? In 1942 "the perpetual flying weather" of that locale brought an air base to it. Though the base closed in 1946, the airstrip continues to be used by commercial aircraft, private planes, gliders, and sailplanes, including the Soaring Society of America, Inc. Known as a great gliding community, Hobbs served as host city for the 1983 World Soaring Championships.
The Soaring Society of America, Inc., is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering and promoting gliding and soaring on a national and international basis. There is a paid staff of 11 full-time employees in their Hobbs office. Part of the organization’s responsibilities is to supervise record attempts, competitions and the selection of the U. S. Team for the World Gliding Championships. "Soaring," the official journal of SSA, is also published in Hobbs.
The journal is a virtual dictionary of new products, information about soaring and gliding as well as personal experiences and letters, sharing or questioning. The physical location of SSA is Jack Gomez Blvd. and Avenue A in Hobbs, but the mailing address is P O Box 2100, Hobbs NM 88241-2100 or phone 505-392-1177.
The Soaring Society of America, Inc., is an affiliate of the National Soaring Museum in Elmira, New York. The Museum houses the U. S. Soaring Hall of Fame that "feels the stories of our soaring pioneers can inspire others to achieve whether in the skies, science and technology or other pursuits. “Those who dared” are part of what NSM wants to share with the public."
For more information on this organization, check out their web site.
QUESTION: “Our class is studying New Mexico and we need to know how the state got its nickname.”
ANSWER:The Secretary of State for New Mexico periodically puts out a Blue Book with details about the state and its history. The following information explains the origin of the New Mexico nickname "Land of Enchantment."
"The phrase ‘Land of Enchantment' was first noted in the title of a book on New Mexico by Lillian Whiting written in 1906. In September 1935, Joseph A. Bursey, Director of the State Tourist Bureau, designed a brochure using this phrase. That same year ‘New Mexico Magazine' first advertised using ‘The Land of Enchantment' to encourage tourism in the state. The year this nickname first appeared on the license plate was 1941 but it wasn't until 1947 that the Tourist Bureau filed with the Secretary of State for the exclusive right to use the phrase as their trademark. Oddly, the New Mexico Legislature has never adopted the phrase as the official nickname of the state."
QUESTION: “Each state claims to have a State song but I've heard more than one for New Mexico. What is the official one?”
ANSWER:New Mexico has had an official state song since 1917 when Governor Washington E. Lindsey signed the legislation making "O, Fair New Mexico" the state song. The words and music were written by Elizabeth Garrett, the sight-impaired daughter of famed Sheriff Pat Garrett. The New Mexico Blue Book (compiled by the Secretary of State) states that in 1928, America's most famous march composer and conductor, John Philip Sousa, presented Governor A. T. Hannett and the people of New Mexico an arrangement of the state song embracing a musical story of the Indian, the Cavalry, the Spanish, and the Mexican.
Two other songs may have given rise to the speculation that there are several New Mexico State Songs. Contemporary composer Amadeo Lucero wrote, "Asi Es Nuevo Mexico." It was sung with guitar accompaniment to the assembled members of the 1971 Legislature by Lieutenant Governor Roberto Mondragon. This composition was promptly adopted as the Spanish-language version of the State Song.
There is even a ballad titled "Land of Enchantment," written by Michael Martin Murphy of Taos, adopted by the Legislature in March 1989, as the state ballad. There's more.
Pablo Mares, a distinguished music educator, conductor, and composer wrote, "New Mexico - Mi Lando Nuevo Mexico" in 1983, and the Legislature adopted it as the state bilingual song in March 1995.
It is no wonder, then, that the questioner is curious about the official state song.
Even though there are four that could be, only "O, Fair New Mexico" is the Official one.
QUESTION: “Why doesn’t the ‘Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway’ stop in Santa Fe?”
ANSWER: The reason is most obscure as to why Santa Fe was bypassed when the line was completed in 1880. A track was subsequently installed in Lamy, New Mexico, not too far from Santa Fe. Amtrak, the current passenger train, uses the Lamy depot for those who are traveling to or from Santa Fe.
QUESTION: “My wife and I are hoping to travel to New Mexico in Oct/Nov this year. We live in Australia. Can you send me some travel information, or is it okay to print it from your website? Also, how do I subscribe to your magazine? ”
ANSWER: The contents of SouthernNewMexico.com are all online. You may print as many articles as you wish for personal use. For commercial use, our articles are for sale as reprints. (Contact the publisher for information.) We also publish a free monthly newsletter to which anyone may subscribe. The State of New Mexico has an excellent vacation guide print magazine that covers the entire state. This can be requested via email by clicking on the "free visitors' guide" logo. New Mexico is a great state to visit as well as in which to live!
QUESTION: “ How do I obtain SSDI records of New Mexico? Trying to find my grandfather and family. They lived about two miles southwest of Roswell. Hope you can help. Thank you in advance.”
ANSWER: The URL for this information is http://www.vitalrec.com. It contains births, deaths, marriages and divorce records. All the states are listed as are the counties. For Roswell, it is in Chaves County. Then there is a “Search for Ancestors” window in which you list the person’s given name and surname. Your grandfather was born August 28, 1892, died in February 1971. It even lists his social security number. Your search can go even farther on this site. Good luck on your family tree.
QUESTION: “Please tell me, where in New Mexico did Elfego Baca hold off those 80 cowboys? I saw a documentary on him on the History Channel.”
ANSWER:My research shows it was along the San Francisco River where three plazas exist, known as Upper, Middle and Lower, and collectively known as San Francisco Plaza. The old Upper Plaza is now known as Reserve, about 125 miles southwest of Socorro, where Elfego Baca was Sheriff.
"Frisco," as it was referred to, was a magnet for cowboys from the area ranches. Local citizens tried to stay out of their way when they came to town to celebrate.
However, in October 1884, a group of cowboys from the nearby Slaughter Ranch came to town and began a drinking binge. Things were not simpatico between the Anglos and Mexicans, and the cowboys did cruel and barbarous things to a man called El Burro, and Epitacio Martinez, his friend.
The deputy sheriff, Pedro Sarracino, was outnumbered, and knew if he tried to calm down the cowboys his life would be in danger. It didn't take long for Sarracino to decide to ride to Socorro to enlist Baca's help.
Baca was only nineteen years, old but he was an expert with six-shooters. In addition, he was a champion of the underdog, in this case the Mexicans. He rode back to Frisco, and together he and Sarracino talked to the Justice of Peace. The judge indicated it couldn't be stopped because there were so many cowboys, possibly 150. Baca didn't go along with the judge's opinion, and promptly arrested one of the cowboys. His friends came to demand his release. Instead Baca told them he'd count to three before he shot. When he fired they ran, but one man and his horse were hit. The next morning about 80 cowboys returned.
When one of the cowboys fired, Baca backed into a log jackal and began firing through the large open chinks. The cowboys attempted to burn the structure but the dirt roof wouldn't burn. Then they attempted to dynamite a corner, but Baca kept on shooting. After 33 hours, he had killed four and wounded eight. He was tried for murder, but acquitted when the door of the jackal was submitted as evidence, showing about 400 bullet holes
Elfego Baca became a legend, and later a folk hero. He went on to study law, and was admitted to the New Mexico Bar in 1894. He was 84 when he died in 1945. Walt Disney made a film in 1958 about his life, titled "The Nine Lives of Elfego Baca."
QUESTION: “I recently received a silver Zia pin as a gift and was told that it was not only the state symbol for New Mexico but it had a story as to its significance in Indian mythology . . . Can you help with the full explanation . . . ?”
ANSWER: The following is the explanation in the New Mexico Blue Book compiled by the Office of the Secretary of State: "The State Flag of New Mexico has a modern interpretation of an ancient symbol of a sun design as seen on a late 19th century water jar from Zia Pueblo. This pueblo is thought to have been one of the Seven Golden Cities of Cibola, which explorer Vasquez de Coronado sought. The red sun symbol was called a "Zia" and is shown on a field of yellow. This distinctive design reflects the pueblo's 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. To the Zia Indian, the sacred number is embodied in the earth with its four main directions; in the year with its four seasons; in the day, with sunrise, noon, evening and night; in life, with its four divisions - childhood, youth, adulthood and old age. Everything is bound together in a circle of life, 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."The red and yellow are the colors of Isabel of Castilla which the Spanish Conquistadors brought to the New World. The symbol's proportions are fixed by legislative act, with the four groups of rays set at right angles, the two inner rays one-fifth longer than the outer rays. The diameter of the circle in the center is one-third the width of the symbol."
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