It was officially adopted on March 15, 1925 to highlight the state's Indigenous and Hispanic heritage: it combines a symbol of the Puebloan people, who have ancient roots in the state, with the colors of the flag of Spain, whose empire had established and ruled over “Nuevo México” for over two and a half centuries.

The New Mexico flag is among the more distinctive and iconic in the U.S.,[3] and has been noted for its simple and aesthetically pleasing design.

The San Diego World's Fair of 1915, which occurred three years after New Mexico's admission to the union, featured an exhibit hall where all U.S. state flags were displayed; lacking an official flag, New Mexico displayed an unofficial one designed by Ralph Emerson Twitchell, the mayor of the state capital, Santa Fe.

[7][needs update] In 1920, the New Mexico chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) called for the creation of an official flag that would reflect the state's unique heritage and culture.

In 1925, Governor Arthur T. Hannett signed legislation proclaiming the Mera design the official state flag, which remains in use and unchanged to this day.

[17] The pledge to the state flag is available in English and Spanish: I salute the flag of the state of New Mexico, the Zia symbol of perfect friendship among united cultures.Saludo la bandera del estado de Nuevo México, el símbolo zia de amistad perfecta, entre culturas unidas.