Our vision of a holistic good system is complex, therefore we need something simple for people to unite and connect. A flag is a simple and powerful symbol. That’s why every country has one. That’s why our good system needs a flag of earth.
But why is a flag of earth important, and how shall it look like? Is there already one we can use, or do we have to create a new one. Let’s find out.
Why flags?
The history of flags is long. It’s not possible to know, when exactly the first form of flag was invented. The oldest examples can be dated around 3500 BC.
They were always used as a symbol, signaling device or as decoration.
First flags were used by military to identify different parts of the army. Later kingdoms and countries used flags as a symbol and an identification for their people. Nowadays, even organizations often have their own flag.
Flags are often a symbol of movements, like the red flag for communism, the rainbow flag for LGBTIQ+ or the Jolly Roger aka pirate flag.
They are a simple but powerful symbol. Everyone can recognize it and knows what they represent without the need to read.
They are also important to include people to a certain group and at the same time exclude people. Like the swastika flag of the Nazis. Flags can be identity-forming.
Watch the TED Talk by Michael Green, where he explains this topic.
They have their own rules of how to handle them, and people can get very emotional seeing the flag or someone treating it wrong.
That’s why our movement of The Good System needs a flag of earth. It should be a symbol that is easy to identify. Specially because it is a complex topic, we need a simple symbol which represents the vision of a better future.
Is there already a flag of earth we can use?
Nowadays, nearly everything and everyone has a flag. When you think about a flag representing the whole world, you may think about the flag of the U.N.
While this is a good start, this flag isn’t for us. One because it already represents an organization, second it focuses on nations and in our system there are no national states.
Luckily, we are not the first ones that think about a flag that represents earth. There are many, each one with a different approach.
You can watch this video or visit the Wikipedia site to see most of them. We will focus on a few, which in my opinion are the ones that fit best.
The flag of the World Service Authority
The first candidate is the flag of the World Service Authority. This organization founded by Garry Davis in 1948 promotes a world citizenship, world law and world citizenship.
(..) flag consists of the organization emblem on the yellow background. The emblem depicts a white globe, with green outline, and green lines of the latitude and longitude. Within the globe stands a green figure of a human, reaching with its limbs to the boundaries of the globe. (Wikipedia)
While I agree with many of their claims, there’s the same problem as with the U.N. flag, it is already used by an organization. And I don’t like yellow.
The One World Flag
I like the concept of the One World Flag very much. Thomas Mandl created it in 2016. It’s a central blue dot, symbolizing the world in the most simplistic way. Because it’s difficult to use a round shaped flag, he put the blue dot on to a transparent background. So the flag changes depending on which place it is.
Its simplicity and the connection between the united earth and the different places, that make earth so irresistible, are great.
But I doubt that this flag of earth has the potential as a symbol. It is maybe too simplistic.
International Flag of Planet Earth
The International Flag of Planet Earth is a very interesting flag. Designed by Oskar Pernefeldt in 2015 it represents the astronomical body of planet Earth, not a business, an organization or an individual.
Centered in the flag, seven rings form a flower – a symbol of the life on Earth. The rings are linked to each other, which represents how everything on our planet, directly or indirectly, are linked. The blue field represents water, which is essential for life – also, as the oceans cover most of our planet’s surface. 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. (Flagofplanetearth.com)
The flag is supposed to remind the people, that we all share the same planet. Despite nationalities, religions or ideologies.
I like the symbolism and purpose of the flag a lot. It is already used and could be the flag of our good system.
But what are the demands for our flag? What shall it look like?
How our flag shall look like
While there are already great options. We may need a new one, that represents our cause. How shall our flag look like.
There are five principles of flag design, we should follow.
- Keep it simple
- Use meaningful symbolism
- Use 2 to 3 basic colors
- No Lettering or seals
- Be distinctive or related
For a more precise definition, watch the video.
We don’t have to meet every principle, but they are a good guide.
Now we know how the flag of earth should be designed, but to do so we need to know what it should represent and which meaning it should symbolize.
Unity is the first principle that comes to mind thinking about our good system. We are one people on one planet. We are all connected, since basically we are all made out of stars.
Sustainability is also a big part of our system. We are also connected through different generations. To provide a good life for everyone, includes those, who come after us.
We are one system made of individuals. Every one of us is a tiny gearwheel, and it needs all gearwheels to work, so each has to be maintained to be in best shape.
The flag has to be inclusive for everyone, and be a symbol for the whole planet.
With my limited skills, I created a flag. That is for sure not our new flag. But maybe it can inspire you or at least gives you an idea, what the flag should look like.
The flag of earth has a black background for the universe. The blue dot represents earth. The white ring unites the whole plant. The star is a symbol for mankind and that we all are made of stars. Green is the color represents the actual earth, the ground we walk on, and we’ll compost to.
I tried to ask AI to make a flag, but I failed to write a proper prompt. Maybe you can do a better job. Either asking AI or create one by yourself.
Conclusion
Symbols are very important for a movement. That’s why we need a flag. One that is inclusive, so anyone can identify with it. It should represent the whole planet and mankind and the unity between them.
As I mentioned, there are already some good examples for flags, but we may create one for ourselves.
What do you want the flag of earth to look like? Or do you think we should use one of the existing flags? Or don’t we need a flag at all? What is your opinion? Write it in the comments.
My name is Ian DeBay.
I am the founder of iandebay.com. I am a content creator, blogger, podcast, YouTuber. This is my blog where I talk about system change, sustainability and other fun stuff.
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