The Barn Star originated within the German farming community. These farmers would
often mount a large star-shaped decoration onto their barns.  Its significance varied.
Some farmers considered the stars good luck, like a horseshoe
hung above a doorway; while others viewed it as simply aesthetic and pleasing to the eye. 
Many barn stars, unique in their appearance, represented the trademark of the builder
who constructed the barn.

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.

The barn star composition has changed over the years. At first they were built directly into
the barn. Later the stars were crafted from wood as a separate piece.  In the last 30 years,
barn stars were constructed from roofing tiles, giving them a rough finish.
Recently, since the ‘90s, local craftsmen have been making
them from thin steel, unfinished, so they rust.

The present-day Barn Star, now popular on homes of every size and shape,
has come to mean an outward sign of good luck and good fortune! 

What do the various colors mean?

Although, I was unable to find an exact color correlation to stars, I was able to determine
that 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.

Here is what I have been able to determine: