Embracing Tradition and Culture

“The New Mexico Tartan is the accepted & approved tartan of the New Mexico’s Tartan Day Committee, by review of truthful evidence of design origin, purpose, supportive documents, and the citizenship and integrity of the designer.”

                      – Mark Shear, Deputy Chairman of National Tartan Day of NM.

Tartan (from the French: crisscross) is not a Gaelic word. The Gaelic term is breacan, derived from breac or checkered. History has found that the Scottish tartan was at one time rooted only in the Highlands, but with the test of time (and even being outlawed; 1747-1782) made this tribal mark a symbol for family, district or state, and even corporate identity.

Though late, the NEW MEXICO TARTAN has arrived to be shared by all citizens, regardless of cultural or racial background. Like that of the other national state tartans, its unique colors and sett have embraced the characteristics of this forty-seventh state.

The first public debut was in Spring 1997 at the Rio Grande Valley Celtic Festival & Highland Games, held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.