 It is unclear where Thingbø picked up the idea, but the base was the three red rings that were painted around the chimneys of all the ships that Det Stavangerske Dampskibsselskap operated.At that time it was also common with stars in the flag, which became an element in the motif.The flag has led to some controversy, as it is almost identical to the flag of the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico.