All I get is the red battery screen

My macbook air will not charge. The adapter when plugged in has no light. All it will do is display an image of a battery that indicates it is empty with a red region near the negative end when I plug the adapter in. Under the battery is a lightening bolt. This image will disappear in a few seconds. It will reappear when I hit the power key or close and open it etc. Will not boot or turn on. The power adapter is brand new. I have tried hiting control+option+shift+power. Any ideas?