What is with the stars?

[jetskier]

Hi all,

I have noticed a number of houses with red/five point stars. What do they mean?

Jetskier:cool:

[Lin]

we asked that same question last year of someone that had the star and they just told us it's a decorative thing. But we see them everywhere. We'd like to know if it means something else too. We figured it was like the hex symbols from years ago.

[pmj]

We wondered the same thing then we went to visit someone who had the star and we were told that it has similar meaning to the pineapple in colonial days..meaning a welcoming symbol. I don't know if that is the whole story or not.

[Newbiesaukee]

Although this may not be the final answer, barnstars, as they are known, date at least to the early nineteenth century and are often linked to the Pennsylvania Dutch community ( which was German, not Dutch). In any event, barnstars are fairly common throughout the northeast U.S.

[Mickomally]

As taken from wikipedia
"A barnstar (or barn star) is a decorative piece, often in the shape of a five-pointed star but occasionally in a circular "wagon wheel" style, used to adorn a barn. These are originally and most commonly seen in German and German-American farming communities. Having no structural purpose, they were mainly used for their general aesthetic appeal and were even considered lucky, akin to a horseshoe mounted over a doorway."

[tis]

We also noticed them popping up everywhere last year and because I was so curious I asked someone who had them who also said they were decorative and sold at a lot of gift stores now. They are quite a fad. I thought it might have been a religious thing or something. Funny, that we all thought the same thing.

[cowislander]

Google does it again.....

http://www.tinntreasures.com/history_Barnstar.htm

[SAMIAM]

"Whew"...Scared me for a moment......some cult.....or maybe a Masonic thing.....globalists taking over. Where's Art Bell when you need him?
THanks a LOT for solving the mystery.....now my wife will want one.

[Flylady]

I noticed the stars popping up several years ago during my trips to NH. Imagine how surprised I was last week when the local market in CA. had several for sale. Somehow I just can't see the star going up with the medeterian style housing of Southern California:yawn:

[wildwoodfam]

Hi all,

I have noticed a number of houses with red/five point stars. What do they mean?

Jetskier:cool:

But I think the real reason you see so many - Christmas Tree Shops had them on sale for $3.99 this past spring, versus Pottery Barn which featured them 2 years ago @ $29.99!!:eek: Don't you just love a bargain!

[Weirs guy]

But I think the real reason you see so many - Christmas Tree Shops had them on sale for $3.99 this past spring, versus Pottery Barn which featured them 2 years ago @ $29.99!!:eek: Don't you just love a bargain!


wildwoodfam, you beat me to the punch!:laugh:

[Argie's Wife]

Next summer, they'll be $1 at your local yard sale!

[nj2nh]

The Christmas Tree Shop here in north Jersey was selling tons and tons of them earlier in the spring. Almost got one, but have no place to hang it.

I was in Strasburn PA over the weekend and those stars are everywhere - on the Englisher's houses, though, not the Amish ones. What a beautiful place. I am dying to go back and bring the family though I think my boys (ages 11 and 13) might be a wee bit bored. The food was wonderful and the farmland was simply gorgeous.

Jersey Girl