The design of the flag is said to have been inspired by the French national flag. Blue represents the sky and freedom, white, peace, and red, blood shed for freedom, allegiance, and passion. The national emblem which is depicted in the left corner, is composed of seven stars, which represent the seven regions in Costa Rica, three volcanic mountains, the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, and sun rise, which represents the galleon that discovered the lands, intercommunion, and independence.