New Mexico Tartan

Two tartans designed to represent New Mexico are registered with the Scottish Tartans World Register ("New Mexico" and "New Mexico Land of Enchantment"), but neither has been recognized officially by the New Mexico state legislature as yet. Many states have officially adopted state or district tartans as state symbols.

Tartan refers to fabric woven into plaid patterns representing clans (families) or regions in Scotland. In old Scotland, the tartan was used for clothing and as a banner or flag. Because a family or community worked the cloth together, their clothing was made of the same patterns, and so a person could be recognized by the Tartan plaid that he wore. Tartans can also be designed as a symbol commemorating a special event or person.