German-American heritage has a long history of using barn stars, which are frequently seen above barn doors. Their hues have special meanings; brown denotes companionship, blue or black provides protection, and green signifies fertility. Originally, they were employed to ward off ill luck or guarantee high crop yields. Barn stars originated as German folk art in the 1830s and eventually became a mainstay of Pennsylvania Dutch culture.
Barn stars, which represent agricultural life rather than supernatural ideas, are sometimes mistaken for hex signs, which first emerged about a century later. Similar protective symbols can be found all over the world, such as the Eye of Horus in Egypt for protection, the Om symbol for peace in Hinduism, the Hamsa Hand for good fortune, and the Norse Helm of Awe for strength in combat.
Despite their differences, these symbols share a universal purpose: offering safety, prosperity, and a connection to ancestral traditions.