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- Like the superstition of hanging a horseshoe on a barn, the history of the barn star began as an attempt to ward off evil. German settlers sometimes painted elaborate star images on their barns that eventually came to be known as "hex signs." The term was derived from the word "hexe," which means "witch" in German.
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Feb 18, 2021 · The barn star is certainly historic, but there are many interpretations of their exact origins and meanings. Safe to say, these symbols adorned barns and homes regularly from the 1700s to 1820s — a mainstay among the Pennsylvania Dutch communities.
The tradition of using barn stars dates back to the 1830s, originating from the Pennsylvania Dutch, or Amish, community. These barn stars are modified versions of European German folk art. The Amish are well-known for leading simple lives, away from modern technology and popular culture.
The term barnstar has been applied to star-shaped anchor plates that are used for structural reinforcement, particularly on masonry buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. These are made of cast iron and are used as anchor plates serving as the washers for tie rods.
Aug 29, 2023 · Despite the different names, the meanings behind them are quite similar. Originally, barn stars were used for practical purposes. They were crafted by farmers and hung on their barns to represent different things. One common explanation is that barn stars were often used as a symbol of good luck.
Oct 13, 2024 · The origins of barn stars date back to the 1830s and are often intertwined with another traditional symbol, the hex sign. Hex signs, which became popular in the 1920s, were initially misinterpreted as having supernatural powers but were originally inspired by quilt patterns.
Jan 9, 2024 · The most common form of these stars is the barn star, also known as a hex sign. It originated between the 18th and 19th centuries in the United States, particularly among the German-American farming communities in Pennsylvania.
Oct 11, 2024 · Patrick Donmoyer, from Kutztown University, clarifies that barn stars weren’t initially tied to supernatural beliefs but were part of the agricultural lifestyle. Hex signs, misinterpreted by an artist in the 1920s, were inspired by quilt squares and barn stars.
