The name New Mexico, is a variation of "Nuevo Mexico," the Spanish name for the upper Rio Grande. Mexico, Aztec for "place of Mexitli" one of the Aztec gods

The New Mexico State Flag consists of a yellow field and red symbol which symbolic of the colors of Spain. The image centered on the flag was derived from the Zia, which is an ancient sun symbol of significance to Native American people. The Zia is red sun with four rays streching out from each of its four sides. Each of the rays represents:
The four directions - north, east, south and west.
The four seasons - spring, summer, fall and winter.
The day - sunrise, noon, evening and night.
Life itself - childhood, youth, middle age and old age.
All of these are bound together by the circle of life.