Star on house

[RoyJackson]

I see a lot of them around my area (just east of Lancaster, PA). Some are up to 4' across. We have a small one (8") mounted inside. The wifey wants a big one mounted on an outside wall too.
I'm pretty sure they stem from the Amish Hex Signs.

 

[thingy]

Roy,,,,,not you too,,,,,,!,,,,[its worse than even my group knew,,,,,],,,,thingy

 

[gordon21]

If you find them only on very old houses. (Built pre-1960), it could be a symbol for an old organization indicating that the original occupants belonged to it. I vaguely remember hearing about it when I was a little kid. It might have been called Eastern Star, Star lodge or something similar. It was a civic organization similar to Moose, Elks, Rotary, Masons, etc. I am pretty sure it was not military related like the AMVETS, VFW or American legion. I don't know if the basis was agricultural or not.


In those days and times, the star would have been prominently displayed. people were more open about displaying their political and social affiliations.

 

[Ductape]

Does it look anything like this? I see them everywhere lately .... i guess they're not just for barns anymore! I hung mine on the hay door since no one would ever see it if i put it on the gable end. It my understanding.... read it somewhere on the internet, that it originates from the Penn dutch, amish. Some sort of sign of prosperity? Or sign that they are looking for prosperity / good crop season from the gods?

Or.... maybe i'm crazy.

Seems i read it somewhere.

 

[Ray2310]

This may help get to the bottom of it.

HISTORY OF THE BARN STAR

 

[davemhughes]

To follow the history of the barn star in North America, you must go back approximately 300 years when groups of religious refugees from the Rhine region of Germany migrated to south eastern Pennsylvania seeking religious freedom. These refugees included Amish and Mennonites - people of "plain" dress - and Lutherans and other Reformed groups of more worldly dress called "fancy". Over time, these people became known as "Pennsylvania Dutch"

Another version Originated in Germany. Significance varies...some thought it was a symbol of good luck, like a horseshoe hanging over a door...others just liked how it looked. Yet others left a star with a specific design as the trademark of the builder who constructed the barn. I have even read where the metal star was used to hold metal rods in place in the inside leaving only the outside star to be seen to reinforce the gable ends.

More and more its just a symbol of good luck and is very popular.

Here is a generally accepted overview of what the various colors mean pertaining to Amish and/or Pennsylvania Dutch painted barn symbols, barn stars included.

Black: Protection, also used to blend or bind elements together
Blue: Protection, peace, calmness and spirituality
Brown: Mother earth, also can mean friendship and strength
Green: Growth, fertility, success in things and ideas that grow
Orange: Abundance in career, projects and matters needing an added push
Red: Emotions, passion, charisma, lust and also creativity
Violet: Things that are sacred
White: Purity, power of the moon, allows energy to flow freely
Yellow: Health in body and mind, love of man and the sun, connection to the God

 

[czechsonofagun]

Driving around today I noticed several houses with a star that is about 1 foot wide, usually centered on the gable end. Can someone tell me what this means? Is it decoration or some other significance? Thanks!

When I was growing up we had many red stars on roofs - and next to it who we love, why and for how long. Like for example:

We love Soviet Union for Ever and Ever.

But I think you mean different stars

 

[YanmarFever]

When I was growing up we had many red stars on roofs - and next to it who we love, why and for how long. Like for example:

We love Soviet Union for Ever and Ever.

But I think you mean different stars

Did that keep the b-mbs away from your roof
or did you really love the ussr ?

 

[czechsonofagun]

Did that keep the b-mbs away from your roof
or did you really love the ussr ?

What do you think?

It was the official propaganda - and I remember seeing red star on a building in Michigan. The star was there for christmas, but I am biased. It means just one thing for me.

 

[YanmarFever]

What do you think?

It was the official propaganda - and I remember seeing red star on a building in Michigan. The star was there for christmas, but I am biased. It means just one thing for me.

I know where you are coming from on this. I spent 6 yrs. in communist countries, and I was blessed to get out alive.
The only star around here is on our nativity scene.

And you might think Im a nut but I havent worn any red clothes for many years unless im hunting.