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The Sacred Zia Symbol: Honoring Indigenous Culture Through Awareness and Education

A Sacred Symbol Rooted in History 

                                            

While browsing the Midway Antique Mall Flea Market in Missouri, I stumbled across a pair of earrings that immediately caught my eye. They were rustic, beautiful, and featured a sun-like symbol that felt familiar, but I didn’t quite know why. When I asked the vendor—a kind woman, but clearly unaware—she couldn’t tell me much about the design’s meaning or origin.

Later, I did what any curious heart would do: I researched it. That’s when I discovered the symbol was more than just decorative—it was the sacred Zia sun symbol, rooted in the spiritual and cultural identity of the Zia Pueblo people of New Mexico.

What Is the Zia Sun Symbol?

It is a sacred emblem of the Zia Pueblo people of New Mexico. It consists of a central circle surrounded by four groups of rays—symbolizing sacred elements of life:

  • The four directions (north, south, east, west)

  • The four seasons

  • The four stages of life (childhood, youth, adulthood, old age)

  • The four times of day (morning, noon, evening, night)

This is not just artwork. It is spiritual. It is ancestral. It is sacred.

It reflects a harmony and rhythm to life that the Zia people have honored for generations. 

Source: Zia Pueblo – Legends of America

But what struck me most was learning how this symbol was used—without permission—on everything from jewelry to state flags. It took 75 years before the Zia Pueblo received proper recognition for their symbol’s use on the New Mexico state flag, and even now, many people have no idea where it comes from or what it truly represents. The Zia symbol continues to appear on commercial items, souvenirs, and decorative products with little to no context.

This is a classic case of cultural appropriation—where a meaningful cultural symbol is used out of context and stripped of its history.

That breaks my heart. But, that is why this blog exists. To share my experiences, raise awareness, and bring value to the world of the internet and readers everywhere. 

Wearing the Symbol with Permission and Purpose

Source: About The Zia Pueblo, T.Skies Jewelry

I didn’t buy these earrings to make a fashion statement. I bought them because something about them spoke to me. And now that I understand their story, I feel a responsibility to wear them not just with admiration, but with respect and purpose.

I want to use these earrings as a conversation starter—to raise awareness, to educate others, and to honor the Zia Pueblo every time someone compliments them or asks where they’re from. My intention is not to profit or posture—but to honor, uplift, and amplify the voice of a people whose culture has long been misrepresented.

A Call to Cultural Awareness

Here’s what I’ve learned:
✨ If you wear or display a cultural symbol, learn where it comes from.
✨ Aesthetic admiration without understanding can unintentionally cause harm.
✨ True allyship means listening, learning, and asking how you can uplift—not just admire.

Source: About The Zia Pueblo, T.Skies Jewelry

To the Zia people: 

I see you. 

I respect you. 

And I want to do better.

*Source: Reddit /r/Albuquerque thread on Zia Symbol

If you wear cultural symbols or Indigenous designs, take a moment to learn their origin. We can’t claim to appreciate something if we don’t understand or honor where it comes from. Let’s move beyond aesthetic into allyship.
* While Reddit is not a scholarly source, this post reflects community awareness and local sentiment about the Zia symbol’s sacred origins and history of cultural appropriation.
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