Ever noticed that some houses, particularly in rural Ontario, have a five-pointed decorative star hanging on the facade. It’s been speculated that the star is a religious symbol, or maybe a cult… even a beacon for swingers? But what does it really mean?
According to The Voice of Pelham and Central Niagara, the décor, known as a “barn star” may have originated with the Pennsylvania Dutch, who fled Europe to escape religious persecution in the 18th century. After settling in the Northeastern U.S.A. and Eastern Canada, the Amish, Mennonites, and others took to painting different symbols on barns or homes, including a star that was believed to bring them good luck. The practice soon went beyond a religious affiliation, with homeowners using the star as a kind of decorative property accessory or to symbolize a warm welcome to visitors.
Wikipedia suggests ‘Barn stars’ were meant to represent the mark of the builder, but became more frequently used for aesthetic purposes and were added to the building after construction was complete. Some even hang the stars based on a belief that their colors are symbolic. For instance, a black star may mean a home is protected; a blue means peace; red means passion.
Whatever the reason, they certainly are popular and can be purchased on retail sites like WayFair and Amazon. You might even find one at an antique store or yard sale.
Story source: https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/metal-stars-on-old-houses-explained
Image source: By Una Smith – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3691643
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