Features
Band Draws Heat From Using Zia Sun Symbol
An up-and-coming rock band is drawing heat for its use of a symbol sacred to an American Indian tribe in New Mexico.
KOAT-TV reports that Bad Suns is using the Zia Sun symbol front and center on its new album and Zia Pueblo officials aren’t too happy about it.
Pueblo Gov. David Pino says the image is so sacred that only medicine men are allowed to use it during ceremonies.
Christine Cao, a representative for the band, says the symbol used is the band’s own interpretation of the image.
Pino says he hopes the band will reach out to the pueblo and ask for its blessing before the album is released.
The Zia Sun symbol is the official New Mexico State insignia and appears on the state flag.