New Mexico State Seal Patch

The New Mexico State great Seal was originally designed in 1851 for the Territory of Mexico. It was adopted in 1913 and consists of a Mexican eagle grabbing a snake in its beak and a cactus in its talons symbolizing the New Mexico treasures its Mexican, Spanish, and Native American traditions. The American eagle with its wings spread wide symbolizes the change of sovereignty in 1846 between Mexico and the US, it also signifies America's dominant yet fragile protection of New Mexico and its culture and heritage. The quote "Crescit eundo" Latin for "It grows as it goes" is written on the bottom ribbon.