Colonization of distant planets and meeting with representatives of other civilizations is still a figment of the imagination of science fiction, but maybe the hour is near when these pictures will become an objective reality. Be that as it may, but one of the symbols - the flag of the Earth - has already been developed and exists (and not in one version). It will be something to give aliens as pennant souvenirs at a meeting or - to hoist on a pole on a newly mastered planet!
Unrecognized official symbol
But seriously, the idea is a good one, uniting countries and continents. And in the end, the planet should have its own symbol - the flag of the Earth. Although to this day this idea has not received universal support at the level of states, it exists only at the levels of public organizations and artists and art workers. They just offered our attention the options that currently exist.
UN unites nations
The flag of this organization, which was approved in the middle of the last century (1946), can conditionally be considered one of the first versions of such a symbol as the flag of the planet Earth. The blue cloth symbolizes peaceful intentions and reminds of the sky or the ocean, and the white emblem located in the center depicts continents. This banner has gained widespread worldwide fame and can be used as a generalized flag and symbol of the Earth. It is exhibited today freely, although by law there are some restrictions on the use of UN symbols (for example, for commercial purposes).
McConnell Flag: A View of the Earth from Space
Among the private proposals for the appearance of a planetary symbol, he received a variant of the American leader McConnell in 1969. This Earth flag was designed to celebrate the first day of our planet in 1970. It was based on a real photo depicting what the blue planet looks like from space. The background is navy blue resembling the sky. This view of the Earth from space on the flag was subsequently replaced by a NASA image (1972). A patent (trademark) was originally obtained for this symbol, which was subsequently canceled due to the transfer of this image to the public domain. Which does not negate the popularity of this option in the modern world (especially in America).
Kadl Flag: Sun, Earth, Moon
Another of the most popular images is the so-called flag of Kedla, an American farmer from Illinois who offered his option to the world community. It shows in descending order: Sun, Earth, Moon. The sun as a yellow circle segment, the blue ball of our planet, then the small white ball of the moon. The whole design is done schematically, in a well-harmonious and memorable color scheme. This variation caused a stir among participants in the search programs for other civilizations. And in 2003, this flag of the Earth became public domain in the United States.
Rönhede offer
Anne Rönhede in 2000 proposed another variation. The cloth is dark blue (but this is already logical for many options by analogy with the sky, water). In its center is a circle of blue color with a fringe of a white ring. All this schematic representation symbolizes the ideas of peace and cooperation between countries and peoples. And the simplicity of design and ease, accessibility to manufacture made this option very popular at one time around the world.
Carroll's interpretation
The so-called World Flag (World Flag) was proposed by Paul Carroll in 2006 and also has the right to exist. It symbolizes universal globalization in the modern world. At the center of the work is a map of the world. It is surrounded throughout the flag with the flags of all 216 countries recognized at that time and the traditional UN flag.
Pernefeld Plan
More recently, in 2015, Oscar Pernefeld, an artist from Sweden, proposed to the world community this modern design of an international flag that can represent our planet. According to the creator of the image, this symbol will be used in future space expeditions and is intended for very specific purposes:
- Represent the blue planet in cosmic distance.
- Remind the inhabitants of the Earth that this is our common home, regardless of the borders of states and nationalities, and it must be kept in order and the world, take care of each other and the whole planet.
This symbol depicts seven interwoven white rings (reminiscent of parts of the world), folding in a geometric shape resembling a flower. A flower is a symbol of life and good. And interweaving is a symbol of the fact that everything in the world is interconnected. The background is dark blue. It symbolizes the water and the importance of the ocean for life on the planet. And this graphic image indirectly resembles the Earth itself, flying in space. Such a comprehensive and multi-valued drawing turned out, quite in the spirit of modernity. It remains to add that such a color scheme of the flag also pursues aesthetic tasks: blue and white combine perfectly with the clothes of astronauts in the USA, contrasting with a white background. In general, almost without exception, the version of the Earth’s symbol really liked. But again, it has not yet been officially approved at the level of states and international communities.
Summary
In general, it should be noted that for all the variety of existing options listed above, our planet has no officially approved symbol at the global level. There are only projects, although quite successful. The point is small: initiate one of these flags for approval, so that appropriate resolutions are adopted and there is something to fly to conquer uncharted outer space with!