Zia Sun Symbol

The Zia symbol is a sacred symbol originating from the Zia Pueblo, an Indigenous tribe in New Mexico. It is a sun symbol that features a circle in the center with four groups of four rays extending outward in four directions (north, south, east, and west). Each group of rays represents significant aspects of life:

1. The Four Cardinal Directions: North, South, East, and West
2. The Four Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
3. The Four Periods of the Say: Morning, Noon, Evening, and Night
4. The Four Stages of Life: Childhood, Youth, Adulthood, and Old Age

The number four is sacred in Zia Culture, representing balance, harmony, and completeness. The circle in the center ties these elements together, symbolizing the unification of these life aspects. The Zia symbol is featured on the state flag of New Mexico, where it is displayed in red against a yellow background, symbolizing the state's heritage and identity.