A coworker and I have noticed an increase recently in these 5-pointed stars people are putting up on their houses. They are approximately 2-3 feet across, are either plastic or metal, I can't really tell, and we have only seen two colours, more often brown, but also red.

I am hoping someone can tell us if there is some specific reason for the stars. The coworker thinks it may be religious. If it's a decorating craze, it's bordering on tacky, and I apologize in advance if you have one, but I can't see anyone thinking this will enhance the aesthetic quality of their home. But then again, there are some folks on Main Street in Sharpsburg who have put up Santa in a kayak on the roof of their porch. I just hope he isn't still up there for the Memorial Day parade.

My neighbors have one on their house. So, I asked them about it. According to them ,it isn't a religious expression, it's just a decorative thing.

I've noticed the stars you're talking about being sold in rustic antique type stores, so I'm thinking they are just a new decorative craze.

Does it look sort of tacky to you?

I haven't seen a 5 pointed star on any houses here, but I was intrigued some years ago to see people using the traditional Jewish 6 pointed star in the same way on their houses as a Christmas decoration. I think it was a decorative reason rather than any other, but maybe they're coming over to our way of thinking after all (being Jewish myself).

That's the Star of David, isn't it? I have seen that on houses at Christmas time as well, usually in lights and on houses which are otherwise decorated for Christmas and not Hanukkah. I think a lot of people have no idea why they decorate the way they do. Like the kayaking Santa.

The five-point star isn't a holiday decoration, though. It appears to be a permanent embellishment.

That's the one McG., I think the manufacturers probably are more interested in presentation than accuracy, though there may be an obscure reason for it (maybe the star they followed to Jesus?). It did seem odd for a minute to think half the population of a Surrey estate were Jewish till I realised it was something different!

You see those stars on many of the homes in Lancaster Pennsylvania. I was told by a worker at a Pennsylvania Dutch restaurant/gift shop that they were a PA Dutch symbol, but she didn't know what they represented. You also see smaller iron stars on the end of a row rowhomes here in Baltimore. I've also seen them in New Orleans. I was told these had something to do with marking main cross beams--which was useful to fire patrols, but I have no hard proof if this is correct

think yourself lucky, there are no christmas decorations in my village, nary a one, boring

Then I would think you have the responsibility here of upholding the British tradition of put-as-much-trashy-stuff-on the -tree-and-stick-it-on-the-balcony. Doesn't everyone?You have to show yourself as the true Gweilo that you are at heart.

Blue 5-angel star= Family member currently serving in a War
Gold 5-angel star= Lost a Family member in a War
Red 5-angel star= Family member wounded in combat
Brown 5-angel star= Veteran of the military

These are commonly misunderstood for decorative items but they do have meaning.. Its the same as if a girl hangs a yellow ribbon on their porch to represent they have had their boyfriend/husband sent to war(Recently family members have been doing the same).. hope that clarifes it.

P.S. my friends cousin has a Blue a red and a gold on their house. Their is a lot of meaning behind it but people dont even know. -sobs-

PFC McGarvey
United States Army Infantry

You are probably thinking of stars printed on white silk banners and hung in windows, PFC McGarvey.
Seen everywhere during WWII, they have made a huge comeback in recent years here in the States. I don't know if they are of military issue this time, or provided through some civilian company. I'm pleased to see the idea has been revived.

In Texas, having a five pointed star somewhere on your home [ mine is on the newel post at the base of the staircase] is merely a display of affection for one's home state - nothing exotic or fraught with deeper meaning.

Shadowhippie - "You notice this scare tactic still being used by low-budget Hollywood movies, and low-intelligence TV shows (like "Buffy" and "Charmed"). Whenever they want to make sure the audience understands that these teenagers are 'opening a portal to hell', they depict them sitting on a large pentagram, wearing pentagrams, etc. This is usually about 2-5 minutes before the blood starts flowing, and screaming & chaos ensues".

I'm not sure how much TV you actually watch, however I am compelled to come to the defence of "Buffy".
If you have spent any time watching this show you would know that the writing is quite intelligent, satirical and original, Emmy Award winning even. You would also know that this very topic is discussed many times in the show and depicts the Pagan symbol as you have.

I understand that this is not a TV discussion, however I wanted to express my support for your historical accuracy and to point out that one should understand something before one criticises it.

In this particular instance, I agree that the emergence of these 'decorative' stars is actually based on current world events and pertains to military operatives.

Thanks

I have both types of stars - the decorative metal and the one like those seen on a silk banner. I guess I must fall into the "borderline tacky" group for my metal one but in my defense, I don't have it hung yet as it is still in the process of being embellished so as to make it unique. I have commissioned a local artist to take one of the ordinary stars, paint it copper and then paint a cardinal inside the bottom "leg" so it will fit in with my indoor decorative touches or "stand out" if I should decide to hang it outdoors. I have seen many of these stars in southwestern Pennsylvania on barns, homes, over garages and even businesses. I believe it was originally signifying the Pennsylvania Dutch community in the beginning but now they are found just about anywhere. As I look out my window I can see one on the front of a neighbors home (I am now back in NY) that is quite large but it is "different" because it has a metal circle around the perimeter and it looks more like a cattle brand to me. As I said earlier, mine is still being personalized and now I wonder if I will look like a sheep for having something that so many other people also have, but I took steps to make mine more "unique" so that no one else will have one like mine.

I also have three stars hanging in my kitchen, these are new to my decor as I usually stick with my copper teapots, french roosters, speculaas boards and copper molds. I just had a large space that needed something on a grander scale to fill it and I found these stars that are quite different than what you would find on homefronts. These are punched tin with a wooden frame around the exterior. I must say they are quite attractive and give that end of my kitchen extra personality. So if I am tacky, so be it! I might be following a trend, but at least I am still unique in my taste. Maybe I will take a photo and share it on the photo-a-day thread ~

As for the silk star banner, I have a wooden one hanging on wire (again, just to be different) because my husband is STILL in Afghanistan. Truth be told, since the subject of military service came up earlier, my husband SHOULD have come home tomorrow from his year-long tour of duty but GW has extended most of our men another four months because he has taken their replacements and rerouted them to Iraq, the 'other war'. So maybe I and my son will get our soldier home sometime in June. My star banner will hang until then.

shadowhippie made that post on Thu Mar 24 2005 and is most unlikely to see your messages.

Right you are Sue. Best I look at the date before posting a reply next time hey?!!

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