"Crescit Eundo"
This New Mexico state motto is a Latin motto and in English
it may be translated as "It Grows as It Goes".
The New Mexico motto was adopted in 1887 and is taken from
"Book VI" of Latin poet Lucretius' epic scientific poem "De
Rerum Natura" which means "On the Nature of Things".
The meaning behind the New Mexico motto "Crescit Eundo" (It
Grows as It Goes) may at first glance seem somewhat senseless
but in the poem it refers to the increasing strength a
thunderbolt gradually gains when going across the sky.
This dynamic message of growing stronger and 'being in
motion' was the intention by those who selected the New Mexico
motto.
New Mexico State Nicknames
Whereas there is only one New Mexico state motto, there exist
a number of state nicknames for New Mexico:
"The Land of Enchantment" (Official)
This is the official New Mexico state nickname and it achieved
this official status in 1999. The Spanish version of the
nickname is "Tierra del Encanto".
According to the "New Mexico Blue Book" this New Mexico state
nickname first appeared as a title on a book from 1906 written
by American journalist and author Lillian Whiting.
This book title was apparently such a great source of
inspiration that in 1935 New Mexican tourism channels started
using it to promote the wonders of New Mexico in brochures and
magazines.
"The Spanish State"
The high percentage of Spanish speaking people and the fact that
New Mexico border with Mexico are some of the reasons for this
New Mexico state nickname.
"The Land of Sunshine" or "The Sunshine State"
This nickname is a reference to the many sunny hours that New
Mexico offers. "The Sunshine State" is also a
Florida state nickname.
"The Cactus State" or "Land of the Cactus"
Cacti are much abundant in New Mexico especially along the
Mexican border.
"The Land of the Delight Makers"
This New Mexico nickname originally stems from a work by Adolf
Francis Alphonse Bandelier "The Delight Makers". The book is
based on Bandelier's archaeological and ethnological study among
the New Mexico Pueblo Indians.
"The Land of Opportunity" or "The Land of the Heart's Desire"
These New Mexico nicknames both refer to opportunities of
beautiful untouched land that would be any man's dream.
New Mexico State Slogans
Whereas the New Mexico state motto intends to describe the
national 'soul' of New Mexico, New Mexico state slogans focus
especially on attracting tourists, and as you will see, some are
more or less serious in this endeavor:
"Land of Enchantment"
Besides being the official New Mexico state nickname "Land of
Enchantment" is also a treasured state slogan that appears on
the website for the New Mexico Tourism Department:
NewMexico.org
"New Mexico: Lizards Make Excellent Pets"
"Not as Fun as Real Mexico, But at Least We Use Deodorant"
"Almost as Filthy as Real Mexico"
"New Mexico: We Have Reservations"
"New Mexico: Cleaner than Regular Mexico and Less Bodies
in the Sandbox"
~ Darlene Forsman ~
Some of these New Mexico
funny state slogans can be bought on t-shirts and various
other souvenir items.
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