The stars might mean almost anything, or nothing at all. There are certain types and colors of stars representing family members in the armed forces, but those are usually not 2 or 3 feet across. The star could be a Pentagram (also called Pentacle), an ancient symbol, originally used by Pagans.The five points represent Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit. All the elements needed for life.
Incidentally, the term "pagan" started being used by The Church when it moved into the area, in what we are all familiar with every election year, namely, mudslinging. "Pagan" meant "country dweller", and not in a good way, and since The Church was based in the city where the most people were, and most of it's converts were in the city (non-farmers), this term became synonymous with an ignorant, lower-class, possibly even dangerous person. Today these "country dwellers" and unsophisticated people are called Hillbilly, Redneck, Punk.
Anyways, when The Church was busy trying to convert as many people as possible, since more people equals more donations equals more Churches, they found that these country bumpkins they were dealing with didn't like the concept of a whole, brand new religion with all new things to learn. So, they "borrowed" a few things from the locals to ease the transition a little. They built their churches on pagan holy ground. They scheduled their holidays to land on, or extremely close to, pagan holidays. They used imagery & customs, songs & chants, incense & rituals- you name it. (easter eggs, rabbits, 'Christ's Mass' trees, mistletoe, holly, yule logs, santa, etc., etc., etc. - all Pagan in origin).
When the Church started using the pentagram, they alternately described the five points being a symbol of man: a head, 2 outstretched arms, and 2 legs (
DaVinci's depiction). Later, the Church used the pentagram to symbolize Christ's wounds, or to symbolize the star that appeared when Christ was born. There are still churches in Europe, especially Germany, that have stained-glass windows with pentagrams.
Germans brought the star with them when they came here, many of whom settled in and around Lancaster, PA, and used the star, as well as many different kinds of "hex" signs, primarily for decorations, but also for functionality. Many people in the United States had serious problems understanding or pronouncing Deutsch, which is the German name for German, and when the new settlers answered "I'm Deutsch" to the question, "Where are you from?", many heard Dutch, instead, and the Pennsylvania Dutch were invented, much to the chagrin of the Deutschlanders who never did like the Dutch much.
Many houses and especially barns of the day often had the main support beam sticking a little bit out of the side of the structure. A three-dimensional star or some flavor of hex sign or something was often constructed to cover up the part of the visible beam. The beams were large, so whatever had to cover it up also had to be large. That right there is the origin of the stars on houses and barns in North America, though, to cover up the exposed end of the crossbeam. They have since evolved to mean many things to many people, however.
Nowadays, the stars are used by the Amish and Pennsylvania Dutch more as a pure decoration, as well as an ethnic identity symbol. Other people think they look good (other people most definitely do not) so they have a star on their house, as well.
You want a star?
Primitive Americana Metal Stars, Metal Tin Stars - Barn Stars - Metal House Stars
Obviously, the humans have a deep-rooted connection to the cosmos, the sun, stars and planets. Just look at how many national flags have something celestial on it. We worship the sun while wearing sunblock and we pray to the heavens and wish upon a star. Even the word
consider literally means "with the stars" coming from to look closely at and guide yourself with the stars (from the Roman obsession with divining stuff from astrology, and as more of a metaphor dealing with sea navigation). So, when you consider something, consider it very carefully. You're celestial in your consideration.
The stars might mean something, might not. It means, whatever it means, to you.
Incidentally, if you ever get near Winston-Salem, NC around Christmas time, check out downtown. It will be loaded, loaded, loaded with Moravian stars. The town was founded by Moravians. The mathematical complexity behind Moravian stars is astonishing, and very, very kewl. Here ya go:
Moravian star - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Linear Mode
