What The Star on the Side of a Barn Means Around New England

We've all driven through rural areas and taken in the silent beauty of the vast landscape, homes, and farms spread out over acres, and of course, the iconic red barns.  Or maybe you live in a rural area, and these views are an everyday part of your life.  It's certainly quintessential Americana.

I've seen enormous stars in various colors on barns here and there, and always thought of them just as lovely decorations.  However, when I started seeing these gigantic stars painted on barns or made of wood, metal, or quilts on almost every barn I ran across, it seemed awfully coincidental.  I knew there must be more to this around New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts.

It turns out it's not just a New England thing, but a trend all over rural America.  According to Taste of Home, the barn star originated from German-American and Dutch-American settlers to ward off evil and bring good luck to farmers.  Taste of Home says they're known as Pennsylvania stars or primitive stars, and the color matters, too.

A brown star symbolizes friendship and strength, while white stars stand for purity and energy according to Taste of Home.  Meanwhile, if you see a purple star, that's considered holy, while a green star symbolizes hope for growth and fertility. A blue or black star is all about protecting your farm, and if you see a yellow star, Taste of Home says that means love for your fellow man and the sun.  I love knowing this, and hope that if you didn't know, you do, too.