Stars on barns: What the symbol means for farmers, their history and meaning

In an age where political statements seem to appear everywhere, you might assume the star painted on barns across the United States carries a hidden agenda.

The trend has grown rapidly over the last decade, a period marked by heightened political tensions. However, Chip Carter, producer and host of Where the Food Comes From, says the stars-on-barns phenomenon has nothing to do with politics or personal beliefs.

A tradition rooted in history

Carter, who grew up on a farm and frequently visits farms nationwide, told Reader’s Digest that farmers shared the history and significance of the increasingly popular symbol with him.

The practice of placing the icon on a barn’s façade dates back to the 18th and 19th centuries, when Dutch and German farmers settled in the United States, primarily in Pennsylvania. Over time, the tradition spread across the country, though it remains most common in the East.

More than just stars

The star is one of several “hex signs” originally painted on barns in Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Other examples of these brightly colored, round folk art emblems include hearts, birds, flowers, and rosettes.

According to folklorists, the icons serve as talismans meant to bring good luck. For farmers, they also offered a form of protection for barns, which were vital because they housed livelihoods and potential income.

“They simply represent farm life: faith, family, farm, and, above all, hope, thus the good luck charm,” Carter concludes.

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