Student designs flag to represent Earth

The flag design would represent humanity in space. Photo / Oskar Pernefeldt

A graphic designer from Sweden wants Earth to adopt its own flag for use in space.

Oskar Pernefeldt has created a proposal for the International Flag of Planet Earth - a symbol that would represent humanity during interplanetary voyages.

It would be a tool to communicate what Earth is about if we ever encounter extraterrestrial life in space.

Mr Pernefeldt has visualised how the flag would look planted on the surface of Mars and adorning the space suits of international astronauts.

The International Flag of Planet Earth as it would look on Mars. Photo / Oskar Pernefeldt

In a video accompanying the proposal, Mr Pernefeldt explains some of the decisions behind the final design.

The blue colour represents water, an essential ingredient of life, while the interlocking design is an illustration of how life on Earth is all interconnected.

The seven rings in the design form a flower - a symbol of life on Earth.

"The flower's outer rings form a circle which could be seen as a symbol of Earth as a planet and the blue surface could represent the universe," Mr Pernefeldt explains in his proposal.

The flag is meant to "remind the people of Earth that we share this planet, no matter of national boundaries", Mr Pernefeldt adds.

The International Flag of Planet Earth stitched onto the suit of an astronaut. Photo / Oskar Pernefeldt

"Current expeditions in outer space use different national flags depending on which country is funding the voyage."

"The space travellers, however, are more than just representatives of their own countries. They are representatives of planet Earth."

The proposal is a graduation project for Mr Pernefeldt, who studied at Beckmans College of Design in Stockholm, Sweden.

Construction of The International Flag of Planet Earth from Beckmans College of Design on Vimeo.