What It Means When You See a Barn Star in Colorado

Have you ever driven past an old barn or farmhouse in Colorado and spotted a metal star on the structure? Known as 'barn stars', these decorations are often made of metal and hold a significant meaning that dates back to early America.

Read More: Discover The Largest American Flag In Colorado

While some stars are metal and others are painted onto structures, their color variations can also change their meaning. Keep reading to learn more about the meaning behind these symbols that you can still encounter while road-tripping throughout the Centennial State.

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The First Barn Stars in Colorado

Popular with German-American families, and Pennsylvania Dutch families who migrated West, the barn star was often placed on a house to ward off evil. Stars hung on barns and stables were thought to encourage good luck for the farmer, and good luck for their crops and livestock

What Do Different Color Stars Mean?

Different color stars convey meanings beyond bringing good luck and warding off bad mojo. Tasteofhome.com says a brown star tends to mean the home or barn is a place of friendship and strength. White stars symbolize positive energy, violet stars are considered religious and holy, and a green star indicates fertility for the farm. Blue and Black stars offer protection, while a yellow star indicates the love of the sun and mankind.

Read More: These 7 Historic Structures are Colorado’s Oldest Buildings

Different Than Star Bolts

Sometimes you might spot a smaller star along the exterior of a home along a brick wall. While these sometimes look like smaller barn stars, they are something different. These are often called star bolts and can help maintain structural integrity within an older brick wall that has started to sag or buckle. Imagine the star is more like a washer on the end of an iron rod inside the wall to help keep it standing straight.