This is a list of the officially designated state symbols of the U.S. state of New Mexico. Most such designations are found in Chapter 12, Article 3 of the New Mexico Statutes Annotated.Ch. 12, art. 3 NMSA 1978, <https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4374/index.do#a3>, retrieved on 08/25/2025. The majority of the items in the list are officially recognized after a law is passed by the state legislature. New Mexico is the first state to adopt a state question: "Red or green?," referring to chile peppers. The state also has a prescribed answer: "Red and green or Christmas," encouraging the use of both colors of chile.
Insignia
Type Symbol Description Adopted Image Motto"It grows as it goes."1887Section 12-3-1 NMSA 1978, <https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4374/index.do#12-3-1>, retrieved on 08/26/2025.SealGreat Seal of the State of New Mexico1913FlagFlag of New Mexico1925Section 12-3-2 NMSA 1978, <https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4374/index.do#12-3-2>, retrieved on 08/26/2025.Salute (English)Salute to state flag"I salute the flag of the state of New Mexico, the Zia symbol of perfect friendship among united cultures."1963Section 12-3-3 NMSA 1978, <https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4374/index.do#12-3-3>, retrieved on 11/21/2025.Salute (Spanish)Spanish language salute to state flag"Saludo la bandera del estado de Nuevo Mejico, el simbolo zia de amistad perfecta, entre culturas unidas."1963Section 12-3-7 NMSA 1978, <https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4374/index.do#12-3-7>, retrieved on 11/21/2025.
Flora Type Symbol Adopted Image FlowerYucca flower1927Section 12-3-4 NMSA 1978, <https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4374/index.do#12-3-4>, retrieved on 11/21/2025. TreeThe nut pine or pinon tree (Pinus edulis)1949GrassBlue grama (Bouteloua gracilis)1973
Fauna Type Symbol Adopted Image BirdGreater roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus)1949 FishRio Grande cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii virginalis)1955 AnimalNew Mexico Black Bear (Ursus americanus amblyceps)1963InsectTarantula hawk wasp (Pepsis formosa)1989AmphibianNew Mexico spadefoot toad (Spea multiplicata)2003ButterflySandia hairstreak (Callophrys mcfarlandi)2003ReptileNew Mexico whiptail lizard (Cnemidophorus neomexicanus)2003
Geology Type Symbol Adopted Image GemTurquoise1967FossilCoelophysis (Coelophysis bauri)1981
Food and Related
Type Symbol Adopted Image VegetableNew Mexico chile 1965 VegetablePinto bean1965CookieBizcochito1989Question"Red or green?"2003Answer"Red and green or Christmas"2007Aroma"The aroma of green chile roasting"2023
Music and Poetry
Type Title Author Adopted State SongO Fair New Mexico Elizabeth Garrett1917Section 12-3-5 NMSA 1978, <https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4374/index.do#12-3-5>, retrieved on 10/06/2025.Spanish Language State SongAsí Es Nuevo MéxicoAmadeo Lucero1971Section 12-3-6 NMSA 1978, <https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4374/index.do#12-3-6>, retrieved on 10/06/2025.BalladLand Of EnchantmentMichael Martin Murphey1989Section 12-3-10 NMSA 1978, <https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4374/index.do#12-3-10>, retrieved on 10/06/2025.PoemA Nuevo MéxicoLuis Tafoya1991Section 12-3-11 NMSA 1978, <https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4374/index.do#12-3-11>, retrieved on 10/06/2025.Bilingual SongNew Mexico - Mi Lindo Nuevo MéxicoPablo Mares1995Section 12-3-12 NMSA 1978, <https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4374/index.do#12-3-12>, retrieved on 10/06/2025.Cowboy SongUnder the New Mexico SkiesSyd Masters2009Section 12-3-19 NMSA 1978, <https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4374/index.do#12-3-19>, retrieved on 10/06/2025.
Other Type Symbol Adopted Image Slogan"Everybody is somebody in New Mexico."1975Section 12-3-9 NMSA 1978, <https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4374/index.do#12-3-9>, retrieved on 10/07/2025.Balloon MuseumAnderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum1999Section 12-3-17 NMSA 1978, <https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4374/index.do#12-3-17>, retrieved on 10/07/2025.Nickname"The Land of Enchantment"2003AircraftHot air balloon2005Historic RailroadCumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad2005TieBolo tie2007 Guitar New Mexico sunrise guitar 2009 Section 12-3-18 NMSA 1978, <https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4374/index.do#12-3-18>, retrieved on 10/06/2025.NecklaceNative American squash blossom necklace2011Steam LocomotiveAtchison, Topeka and Santa Fe 29262016
National Statuary Hall Collection
Subject Artist Medium Year Location Image Dennis ChavezFelix W. de WeldonBronze1966Senate Wing, 2nd FloorU.S. Capitol BuildingSection 12-3-13 NMSA 1978, <https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4374/index.do#12-3-13>, retrieved on 11/21/2025.Po'payCliff FraguaMarble2005U.S. Capitol Visitor Center
Navy Vessels
Name Description Commissioned Image USS New Mexico (BB-40)New Mexico-class battleship1918 - 1946 USS New Mexico (SSN-779)Virginia-class submarine2010
Notes
Further reading
References