There is a flag most people have never seen.
It has no national colors.
No borders.
No allegiance to politics or ideology.
But once you understand what it stands for, you might never see the world the same way again.
It’s called the International Flag of Planet Earth:
Seven white interlocking circles forming a flower on a deep blue field—symbolizing the interconnectedness of all life on Earth.
Yesterday, we invited the creator of this flag, Oskar Pernefeldt, to share his vision on stage at Mindvalley University 2025.
Yesterday, we invited the creator of this flag to share this vision at Mindvalley U.
The Earth is more than a design
It’s a symbol.
A gentle revolution in fabric form.
A reminder that we are not just citizens of countries…
We are Earthlings.
The origin of the Earth flag
Swedish designer Oskar Pernefeldt created the Earth Flag as part of his graduation project.
The question was simple—and profound:
“If humanity ever had to represent itself in space… what flag would we fly?”
In his talk at Mindvalley U, Oskar took us back to 1969… to the moon landing.
“It was a moment for all of humanity,” he said. “And yet, we planted just one nation’s flag.”
He reminded us: the astronaut was American, but the achievement was global:
- The rocket design? German engineers.
- The optics? Swiss.
- The math? Indian.
- The cosmology that made it possible? Italian.
It wasn’t just an American milestone.
It was a human one.
So he designed a flag for the species.
Why symbols matter
Flags aren’t just colored cloth.
They’re identity made visible.
They bind people into belonging.
They remind us who we are—and who we care about.
In TRIBE, author Sebastian Junger describes a study where Christians were more likely to give money to beggars, right after seeing a cross.
The symbol triggered compassion.
It reminded them of who they were.
That’s the power of symbols.
They bypass the intellect and speak straight to the soul.
The Earth Flag does exactly that.
It’s not a protest.
It’s not a brand.
It’s a reminder:
You are part of something bigger.
Darwin’s forgotten truth
I believe the Earth flag represents the next evolution of humanity. Namely, the unification of human identity across political divisions and borders. And it turns out Darwin agrees.
Charles Darwin—yes, survival-of-the-fittest Darwin—also wrote about something far more poetic.
It was called the Diffusion of Sympathy.
Here’s what he said in The Descent of Man (1871):
“As man advances in civilization… he ought to extend his social instincts and sympathies to all the members of the same nation… and finally to the whole human race… until they are extended to all sentient beings.”
Darwin believed empathy evolves—that our moral circle expands as civilization matures.
From self → to tribe → to nation → to all of humanity → to all life.
The Earth Flag is the banner of that next step.
It’s a symbol of a growing identity:
We are one species. And our biggest global decisions—from climate to migration to peace—must come from Earth-consciousness, not blind nationalism.
Astronauts call it the “overview effect”
In my interview with Oskar, I asked him:
“What kind of feeling are you hoping this flag evokes?”
His answer:
“When astronauts view Earth from space, something profound happens.
They describe a sudden shift in perspective — a life-altering realization that borders are imaginary, and that all life is fragile, connected, and shared.
It’s called the Overview Effect.”
The Earth Flag brings that cosmic perspective down to Earth.
As Oskar said on stage:
“Behind this flag, there is no religion. No ideology.
Just a visual representation of Earth.
But in that simplicity… it holds everything.”
How a symbol becomes real
Oskar shared the story of another iconic flag: the rainbow Pride Flag.
First flown in 1978, it became a global symbol not because a government declared it official, but because people adopted it.
They wore it.
Tattooed it.
Flew it.
Marched with it.
Until it became more than an image—it became a shared identity.
The Earth Flag is on the same path.
It’s already been:
- Flown on refugee boats
- Planted on Antarctica and Everest
- Raised in climate marches around the world
- Tattooed on the bodies of people who just knew it mattered
- And officially recognized by the town of Ridgway, Colorado, where it now flies permanently beside the U.S. flag
And starting now, Mindvalley will fly the Earth Flag at all our global events, as a declaration of the unity we stand for.
What you can do
Oskar said it best:
“If you believe Earth should have a flag—just fly it.”
You don’t need permission.
You don’t need an institution.
You just need to care.
Fly it at events.
Hang it in your home.
Wear it on Earth Day.
Print it on your wall.
Or let it quietly live in your heart.
Because every time this flag is seen, flown, or shared…
It becomes a reminder:
You’re not just from a country.
You’re from Earth.
Get your own flag at FlagofPlanetEarth.com.
Final words
This is not a time for more division.
It’s a time for symbols that unite.
The Earth Flag doesn’t ask for loyalty.
It invites belonging.
It doesn’t cancel your identity.
It expands it.
So let it fly.
Not because you’re being political…
But because you’re being human.
Because borders are imaginary.
But Earth?
She’s beautifully, urgently real.
And she needs you.
You’re Invited: Join the Mindvalley Experience on August 9
Want to go deeper into powerful ideas like the one above?
Join us for Mindvalley X, a free 6-hour global broadcast on August 9—live from Amsterdam. We decided to invite many of our leading authors to deliver 20-minute style TED talks from the stage, free to the world, this Saturday. Tune in live on Zoom.
You’ll get:
- Live teachings from myself, Paul McKenna, Marie Diamond, Nir Eyal, Regan Hillyer, Eric Edmeades and more,
- Activations in AI, longevity, entrepreneurship, energy, and purpose,
- Tools and practices you can apply instantly, and
- A space to embody the frequency of what’s next.
Reserve your free seat at mindvalley.com/x.
This is your initiation into co-creating the next human narrative.
47 Responses
Thank you Vishen for what you stand for… Decades ago, in my young age when people would ask me where I was from, I would answer “I am an” habitant” of Earth… I could feel the living force in everything, the breath, the heart pounding, in humans and animals, loved the Earth SO much… Separation and triggers were so strange, couldn’t understand any interest in not being kind and loving to each other and every living creature 🙏so thank you as this flag seems to give and show another step towards this reality 🙏💖🤍✨ all is one like our body is made of trillions of cells…
In Hawaii we say: It’s a KAKOU thing, which means everyone included. We also believe that we originated from earth/land and that the way we take care of the land, is how the land will take care of us. The “dollar” and greed has no place here.
The back of my business card has a picture of Earth from space, below it says ‘saved’. Until now I had no other symbol or image of unity. I am formally adopting the flag as the back of my business card and will be on all company vehicles.
I think those who believe should endeavor to be visible. Namaste and stuff
thank you, vishen. what a wonderful symbol of unity. our times are rough right now and confusing. we are one. not them vs us, yours or mine. it is all ours. looking forward.
thank you for bringing this to my attention. very much a symbol we need to flow to. we are one, not them vs. us; yours and mine, but ours. what a wonderful expression of unity.
Love it! I shall wave it, wear it, flaunt it! This is beautiful and supersedes all the division, separation and borders. Truly tranquil, encompassing all with a deep sense of belonging.
Absolutely inspiring and just the sentiment that I think humanity needs!
The symbol of flag is neat and beautiful.
“The earth belongs to all.”
Beautiful words of Truth- not of the small t, truth but the Capital T in Truth as it actually stands. Unity Consciousness is the actual Nature of Reality. This flag stands for this. Thank you so much for your contribution to mankind, the plant and animal kingdoms and All That Is! Peace, Light and Love
This is so good. We really need to unify the earth with love, responsibility and peace. An earth flag is a great step and a strong symbol.
I adore this idea of globalization, of unity of all. We ARE all one and this transcends politics religion, nationalism. It is our one unifying factor, we are humans from the planet Earth.
I’d like to know if 7 circles signify something. Of course the interlocking- ness is obvious and circles makes sense, but I’m curious what 7 meant to him? ❤️
Hi Debbie,
My guess is the seven continents.
I support this idea (globalization, unity) with all my heart! <3
Love it. In a time of deep polarization, division, and racism, especially from my corner of the world, where a president and his followers’ racism clashes painfully with those who stand against it, it’s easy to feel disheartened. And when we witness the suffering in Gaza and other regions, it becomes painfully clear: the more we advance in technology and communication, the more we seem to recede in our humanity.
Empathy must evolve alongside civilization.
<3
I love this!! I will proudly wave this flag.
The flag is beautiful and the symbol used is quite ancient…it’s called The Seed of Life. This symbol is found in the center of a larger symbol called the Flower of Life.
I love the idea of an earth flag. This got me thinking about individuals who cannot experience this visually. With this in mind, I would welcome the incorporation of tactile elements such as different textures, this beautiful symbol of unity is able to be experienced by all of humanity, no exception.
One of your best articles. It’s about someone else – a lot of someones. It’s about unity, and a future – so it’s also about hope. Thank you for writing this, and sharing it.
Beautiful. I love this flag and what it represents. Thank you for sharing it, and the broader context. I just wish the white rings were green – then the whole imagery is reminiscent of Planet Earth. Regardless … wonderful work/symbolism. Thank you.
What an awesome flag .. and what it represent , Humanity..
Wishing and praying that all of us who reside on this earth will not stay confined in the selfish world and share and care towards each other.
we are all humans and made in shades of GOD .
The seven circles I see as 7 continents , uniting to preserve and respect the individuality.
Wonder why the color blue was chosen instead of green.. just curious….
Bravo.
History is littered with tyrants who weaponized grand unifying theories to control and subjugate the masses. Their descendants, often detached, privileged elites, inherit power without experience, empathy, or accountability.
What we’re seeing now is just another polished version of the same playbook: a charm offensive dressed up as global unity, claiming “we’re all stakeholders.”
How many more 100million do we have murdered in the name of?
Anyone remember the unifying symbolism in these mass killing sprees below?
Democide: 260M+ in last century alone.
Here are just a few….
The Great Leap Forward
The Cultural Revolution
Holodomor
Soviet Gulag System
Red Terror
Cambodian Genocide
Cuban Revolutionary Repressions
Even under “Nobel Peace” symbol himself Obama resulted in huge instability and deaths to the tune of 100s of 1000s. And with collateral effects after his tenure with over a million from direct input in policy changes.
Hard pass.
Love it! Vishen, I appreciate your conscious leadership. Earth is blessed to have you here, now.🙏✨