Western Metal Art

The tradition of the barn star in America can be traced back to the 1700’s, and to at least the 1820’s in Pennsylvania. Barn stars were most popular after the Civil War.

On many older American barns, particularly German farms, one could see a large decoration in the shape of a star mounted on the face of the barn. Sometimes they were just aesthetic, but sometimes they represented the trademark of a specific barn builder.

It is our understanding the original star shape was a three-pointed star, but the barn star composition has changed throughout the years.  At first they were built directly into the barn. Later the stars were crafted from wood as a separate piece.  Still later they were crated from metal.  Today their are many variations of metal barn stars. 

Colors had significance with Amish and Pennsylvania Dutch barn paintings. These folk art designs, many of which were star shaped, were painted directly onto each end of the barn, and date back to the 1850’s.

Black - Protection, also used to blend or bind elements together;
Blue - Protection, peace, calmness and spirituality;
Brown - Mother earth, also can mean friendship and strength.
Green - Growth, fertility, success in things and ideas that grow.
Orange - Abundance in career, projects and matters needing an added push.
Red - Emotions, passion, charisma, lust and also creativity.
Violet - Things that are sacred.
White - Purity, power of the moon, allows energy to flow freely.
Yellow - Health in body and mind, love of man and the sun, connection to the God.

You must be logged in to post a comment.