Calder Hansen has created a flag for Mars. Something about new, original thinking I really dig the concept.
Here's a message from the maker:
Why does Mars need a flag?
There are many plans to colonize Mars soon, possibly within the next decade. When there is a colony, it will need a flag. And even before there is a colony, a flag will be important as a way to represent the exploration and/or colonization of Mars.
What does this flag represent?
This flag represents multiple aspects of Mars itself and of humanity’s relationship with Mars.
Red represents:
The color of Martian soil
The bravery of humanity in going to Mars
White represents:
The ice caps of Mars, which will be an important source of water to us
Our peaceful intentions for the colonization of Mars
The chevron shape represents:
The mountains of Mars, especially Olympus Mons, the tallest mountain in the Solar System
An upward-pointing arrow symbolizing humanity’s journey into space
The aspect ratio (height : width) of the flag, 17 : 32, is close to the ratio of an Earth year to a Mars year.
Why use this flag instead of another that already exists?
Picture
The flag shown here is the most well-known proposal for a flag of Mars, designed by Pascal Lee. He came up with the idea in casual conversation, and to his surprise, it took off. Like him and many others, I have been excited about the exploration of Mars, and this inspired me to design a flag. I present the new flag as an alternative.
The colors red, green, and blue on Lee’s flag represent the “future phases of terraforming Mars” — if we choose to alter Mars so it is habitable to humans, the planet will change from its current red color to green to blue over the course of this process.
Makerbook