The name ZIA comes from the Zia Pueblo, located 35 miles northwest of Albuquerque, NM. Zia is the pueblo’s symbol for the sun. Four is a sacred number for the Zia, and there are four rays coming from each side of the stylized Sun.

In 1920 Dr. Harry Mera, a doctor and archeologist from Santa Fe, NM, won a competition to choose the state’s flag. His design was an interpretation of the Zia symbol found on a water jar made in the late 1800's in Zia Pueblo. The colors red and yellow are used because they were the colors of the flag used by the Spanish conquistadors who went to New Mexico in the early 1500's.

As a gesture of respect, we make a monthly donation to Zia Pueblo’s scholarship fund in exchange for the use of their symbol and name.

 

NM Facts

New Mexico was the 47th state in the USA; it was admitted in 1912.
New Mexico state bird: Roadrunner. (1949)
New Mexico state animal: Black Bear (1963)
New Mexico state fish: Cutthroat Trout (1955)
New Mexico state insect: Tarantula Hawk Wasp (1989)
New Mexico state dinosaur: Coelophysis (1981)
New Mexico state flower: Yucca (1927)
New Mexico state tree: Pinon (pinus edulis) (1949)
New Mexico state grass: Blue Gramma Grass (1973)
New Mexico state vegetables: Chile and Frijoles (1965)
New Mexico state gem: Turquoise (1967)
New Mexico state cookie: Biscochito (1989)
New Mexico state ballad: “Land of enchantment” (1989)
Highest Point: Wheeler Peak, 13,161 ft.
Lowest Point: Red Bluff Reservoir, 2,842 ft.

And, of course, the state question: Red or Green?

 

Zia SW Cuisine Restaurant

121 SW 3rd St.
Corvallis, Oregon 97333

(541) 757-9427