Symbol | Official Item

New Mexico designated the Native American squash blossom necklace as the official state necklace in 2011 (New Mexico also recognizes an official neck tie). All Cultural Heritage Symbols

New Mexico was named by the Spanish for lands north of the Rio Grande (the upper region of the Rio Grande was called "Nuevo Mexico" as early as 1561). The name was anglicized and applied to the land ceded to the United States by Mexico after the Mexican American War. All State Name Origins

New Mexico designated the piñon pine, or nut pine (Pinus edulis) as the official state tree in 1948. Sometimes called two-needle piñon, it is found mostly in New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Arizona. All State Trees

New Mexico's official state motto is the Latin phrase "Crescit eundo," which translates as "It grows as it goes." The Latin motto "Crescit eundo" appears on the state seal. All State Mottos

New Mexico designated Coelophysis as the official state fossil in 1981. The first fossil remains of this dinosaur were found in New Mexico in 1881. All State Dinosaurs & Fossils

New Mexico designated the bolo as the official state tie in 2007 (New Mexico also adopted an official state necklace in 2011). All Cultural Heritage Symbols

New Mexico designated chile and frijoles (pinto beans) as the official state vegetables in 1965. The legislative debate over adopting a state vegetable centered on the argument that these two vegetables were inseparable, so both the chile and frijole were adopted as New Mexico's official vegetables.

New Mexico designated biscochito as the state cookie in 1989 to encourage traditional home-baked cooking. New Mexico was the first state to recognize an official state cookie symbol. All Food Symbols

A small anise and cinnamon flavored shortbread cookie, the biscochito cookie (called biscocho in southern New Mexico), was introduced by early Spaniards in the 16th century.

New Mexico designated turquoise as the official state gem in 1967. All State Gems & Gemstones

The colors on New Mexico's state flag are the red and yellow of old Spain. The simple, elegant center design is the ancient Zia sun symbol, which represents the unique character of New Mexico (Zia sun symbol also appears on New Mexico's state quarter).

The Zia Indians of New Mexico regard the Sun as sacred. Their symbol for the sun (a red circle with groups of rays pointing in four directions) is painted on ceremonial vases, drawn on the ground around campfires, and used to introduce newborns to the Sun.