The Meaning of the Zia Sun Symbol
New Mexico is synonymous with the Zia Sun Symbol. You'll see it everywhere—from coffee mugs to t-shirts to shot glasses. It’s the emblem of our state, proudly flying on the New Mexico State Flag and stamped onto every New Mexico license plate. It’s featured in countless tourist shops, and many New Mexicans even have it tattooed on their bodies.
Yet, as widespread and beloved as the Zia Sun Symbol is, few individuals or companies who use it understand its true origins and cultural significance.
Origins of the Zia Sun Symbol
The Zia Sun Symbol comes from the Zia Pueblo, located about 35 miles northwest of Albuquerque, New Mexico. For the Zia people, the symbol is sacred. It reflects their tribal philosophy and represents the Zia as a people. It embodies a deep spiritual meaning tied to the four cardinal directions, the seasons, stages of life, and periods of the day.
Unfortunately, while the State of New Mexico and countless businesses have adopted the Zia symbol for commercial use, the symbol belongs solely to the Zia Pueblo—and its appropriation has a painful history.
How the Zia Symbol Was Taken
In the 1920s, the Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.) issued a call for designs for the New Mexico state flag. Around the same time, anthropologists were conducting studies at Zia Pueblo, where only about 100 Zia members remained. They lacked voting rights and resources to defend their culture.
Assuming the community would eventually vanish, anthropologists exploited the situation, taking sacred items—including the Zia Sun Symbol. The symbol was submitted for the flag contest without the Zia’s consent—and it won.
The Zia people were forced to watch the emblem that defined their spiritual identity be taken by a system that had already stripped them of their land and was working to erase their culture.
My Personal Journey with the Zia Symbol
As a Native New Mexican, I have always held deep pride in my home state and the cultures that form its backbone—especially the Zia Symbol. Throughout my life, I’ve owned many Zia-themed items, including jewelry. I always carried an understanding of the symbol’s origins and the wounded history behind it.
The first piece of Zia jewelry I made was a personal creation. When I posted a photo of it on Instagram, I was flooded with requests for more. Before selling anything, I felt it was crucial to seek permission from the Zia Pueblo.
How to Obtain Permission to Use the Zia Symbol
To legally and ethically use the Zia Sun Symbol, you must:
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Submit a written explanation of your intention
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Provide photos showing how the symbol will be used
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Send your request to the Secretary to the Governors of Zia Pueblo
If approved, the request must be unanimously agreed upon by all three Governors. For non-profit uses, a $200 donation to the Zia Pueblo Education & Scholarship Fund is requested. For for-profit uses, the donation is $500.
*Please note that these were the prices from 2020 and may have changed since that time.
Approval is not guaranteed; it depends on how the use aligns with the Zia Pueblo’s cultural values and code of ethics.
My Experience Seeking Permission
I embarked on this process in 2020. It is possible that there have been changes to the procedures since then. During that time, the entire process took about five months. I informed the Secretary that I had already created a few pieces and would sell them in limited quantities while awaiting a decision. If my request was denied, I agreed to immediately cease using the symbol.
To my surprise, not only was my request approved, but I was told it was the first-ever request to use the Zia Sun Symbol in jewelry designs. This was shocking, considering how often the symbol appears in jewelry across New Mexico.
It felt ironic that artists, who are usually the loudest about protecting intellectual property, had not sought permission themselves. It was a humbling reminder of the responsibility we all share when using cultural symbols.
Understanding the True Meaning of the Zia Symbol
I am often asked about the meaning of the Zia Sun Symbol. It surprises me how many New Mexicans don't fully grasp its significance. Even more surprising (and troubling) is the disrespectful ways in which it is sometimes used—particularly on items like shot glasses and beer mugs, which conflict with Zia Pueblo values regarding alcohol.
If you choose to use a sacred symbol, it’s vital to understand its history, origins, and meaning. Respect begins with education.
The Bigger Picture: Integrity, Culture, and Community
When I founded my business, I focused on three core values: Integrity, Culture, and Community.
As a New Mexican of mixed heritage—a self-proclaimed Yoté—I understand the complexity of carrying multiple cultural identities, especially when one lineage historically oppressed another.
While we cannot change the past, we can heal the future. Healing begins by having hard conversations, taking responsibility, and giving credit where it’s due. Simple, intentional actions can begin to mend deep wounds.
Honoring New Mexico’s Cultural Backbone
New Mexico’s culture is a rare and beautiful fusion, but its foundations are rooted in Indigenous culture. From our food to our art to our architecture, Indigenous influences are everywhere—often unacknowledged.
The Zia Sun Symbol is an exclusive and powerful symbol. It deserves the respect due to any sacred emblem. It has been "on loan" for a long time now, and recognizing its true origin is the first step toward honoring it properly.
