Could this be the new flag of Planet Earth?

While a manned mission to Mars is gradually moving closer to reality, the jury is still out on which country will first place their flag into Martian soil.

But if one ambitious Swedish design student has his way, the next giant leap truly will be for all mankind.

The International Flag of Planet Earth is the brainchild of Oskar Pernefeldt, created as a graduation project for the Beckmans College of Design. While not yet accepted in any official capacity, it has certainly sparked a huge amount of healthy enthusiasm and debate on social media.

Pernefeldt’s design is minimal and open to interpretation, avoiding symbols from any particular nation or culture. The interlocking circles (which might or might not represent the unified continents, a la the Olympic logo), form a floral pattern used in human art for millennia.

The oceanic blue is another careful design touch: Pernefeldt singled out the hue that could clearly stand out wherever it is displayed, whether on the white of an astronaut’s spacesuit or against the deepest blackness of space.

Why do we need a flag?

As explained in his proposal, Pernefeldt wanted to take space exploration away from the national rivalry that defined the 1960s space race. “(Space travellers) are more than just representatives of their own countries. They are representatives of planet Earth”.

He also believes a uniting flag would help “remind the people of Earth that we share this planet, no matter of national boundaries. That we should take care of each other and the planet we live on”.

For the design buffs and armchair vexillologists (flag studiers), this video offers some fascinating insight into Pernefeldt’s creative choices.

To learn more about this fascinating idea, be sure to check out the full proposal at FlagOfPlanetEarth.com!

Would you be happy with this flag representing your planet?  Will it make the Martians, Venusians and Saturnians jealous?  We’d love to hear your thoughts!