Does anyone have any idea what it means when someone has a large (1-2 foot) star affixed to the outside of their house, usually near the front door?

I started seeing these in Fairfax County a couple of years ago, and now I see one or two of them in almost every neighborhood.

They are often red, but I have seen blue ones as well.

They clearly have some kind of significance to these people, perhaps as a signal that they are part of some clique.

If I told you, I'd have to kill you.

A blue star means that a family member is serving in the military. This often means overseas in a combat zone.

36 USC § 901 reads:
A service flag approved by the Secretary of Defense may be displayed in a window of the place of residence of individuals who are members of the immediate family of an individual serving in the Armed Forces of the United States during any period of war or hostilities in which the Armed Forces of the United States are engaged.

http://usmilitary.about.com/library/weekly/aa071502-1.htm

Virginia requires convicted sex offenders to place them there so neighbors know to avoid them.

These flags for which we should all show respect:


They are service flags. A Service Flag in the United States is an official banner that family members of service members in harm's way can display. The flag or banner is defined as a white field with a red border, with a blue star for each family member in active duty. A gold star (with a blue edge) represents a family member that died during service, without specifying cause of death. The deceased might have been killed in action, or died due to unrelated causes. These flags were first used in World War I, with subsequent standardization and codification by the end of World War II.They were not popular during the Vietnam Conflict but have come back into use. In modern usage, an organization may fly a service flag if one of its members is serving active duty.

Manufacture of these flags are only by specific government license in the territories under American jurisdiction. The same section of the U.S.Code that limits manufacture of the banner also mentions lapel pins. There is no legal specification of the banner's material or size, except that when displayed with the national flag, the latter should take the place of honor. If the flags are displayed differ in size, the national flag should be bigger.
Blue and gold are the only colors specified for use, but some say silver stars are customary for those discharged from service because of wounds.
These flags are often donated to local familys by the American legion or Veterens of Foriegn Wars posts
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if it has a roof looking thing over the star I believe its a safe house for kids who walk to school, or that's the way it was when it started back in the 70's and it was usually in a window near the front door.

today it could be

Just Decoration.
Pagans celebrating the solstice.
Texans living in the area.

red star= Redskins fan being shamed for becoming a cowboy fan.

blue star- cowboy fan

jojojojojojojoj Wrote:
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> A blue star means that a family member is serving
> in the military. This often means overseas in a
> combat zone.
>
> 36 USC § 901 reads:
> A service flag approved by the Secretary of
> Defense may be displayed in a window of the place
> of residence of individuals who are members of the
> immediate family of an individual serving in the
> Armed Forces of the United States during any
> period of war or hostilities in which the Armed
> Forces of the United States are engaged.
>
> http://usmilitary.about.com/library/weekly/aa07150
> 2-1.htm


Thanks, I always knew about Gold Star mothers from WWII and figured this current phenomenon might have something to do with the military.

reality Wrote:
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> These flags for which we should all show respect:
>
>
> They are service flags. A Service Flag in the
> United States is an official banner that family
> members of service members in harm's way can
> display. The flag or banner is defined as a white
> field with a red border, with a blue star for each
> family member in active duty. A gold star (with a
> blue edge) represents a family member that died
> during service, without specifying cause of death.
> The deceased might have been killed in action, or
> died due to unrelated causes. These flags were
> first used in World War I, with subsequent
> standardization and codification by the end of
> World War II.They were not popular during the
> Vietnam Conflict but have come back into use. In
> modern usage, an organization may fly a service
> flag if one of its members is serving active
> duty.
>
> Manufacture of these flags are only by specific
> government license in the territories under
> American jurisdiction. The same section of the
> U.S.Code that limits manufacture of the banner
> also mentions lapel pins. There is no legal
> specification of the banner's material or size,
> except that when displayed with the national flag,
> the latter should take the place of honor. If the
> flags are displayed differ in size, the national
> flag should be bigger.
> Blue and gold are the only colors specified for
> use, but some say silver stars are customary for
> those discharged from service because of wounds.
> These flags are often donated to local familys by
> the American legion or Veterens of Foriegn Wars
> posts


Nope, look around your neighborhood, they are three-dimensional stars affixed by themselves on the house. Not service flags.

Mostly red in color.

The metal (and other material) stars you see on the exterior (or interior) of houses and barns across the Eastern seaboard of the United States are called "Barn Stars", and are associated with a decorating trend called Americana. They have become increasingly popular across the continent, come in varying sizes and shapes and are purely for decorative purposes.
The colors of the barn-stars have no significance what so ever and are sometimes painted with patterns that suit the owners tastes or fashion.

Historically, they have their origin as the markers (or signatures if you will) of popular or skilled builders.

Barn Stars have been classified as an American relic (ergo. "Americana") due to its history predating the American civil war.

These symbols are used by the American Swingers Club to indicate that the residents host discreet orgies at that location.

More True Wrote:
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> These symbols are used by the American Swingers
> Club to indicate that the residents host discreet
> orgies at that location.

Comment: Do white rocks in front of a house mean that "swingers" live
there and/or are having a swingers party?

Several message boards in the Ashburn, VA area indicate this may be true.
Also have seen on urbandictonary.com that white rocks are placed on the
porch of military families to indicate they are swingers.

Don't see any star in there ;)

Some people will tell you a certain color star means a family member has served in the military, another color means they were wounded in battle, another color means they died in battle, another color means they have an ancestor who served in the Civil War, another color means they have an ancestor who wa sin the Revolutionary War, etc.

Now the truth: they mean nothing. They are just decorations.

LetsRock Wrote:
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> The metal (and other material) stars you see on
> the exterior (or interior) of houses and barns
> across the Eastern seaboard of the United States
> are called "Barn Stars", and are associated with a
> decorating trend called Americana. They have
> become increasingly popular across the continent,
> come in varying sizes and shapes and are purely
> for decorative purposes.
> The colors of the barn-stars have no significance
> what so ever and are sometimes painted with
> patterns that suit the owners tastes or fashion.
>
> Historically, they have their origin as the
> markers (or signatures if you will) of popular or
> skilled builders.
>
> Barn Stars have been classified as an American
> relic (ergo. "Americana") due to its history
> predating the American civil war.

Cool explanation that fills out the story. I read a few years ago, somewhere, that the original "Barn Stars" actually were end plates for reinforcement rods going through the barns.

Something like this?
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Hmm.... Wrote:
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> Something like this?


Yes, I think that's what the OP is referring to. This is for some old ancient tradition to keep bad spirits away. These are very common in rural areas, in VA the Shenandoah Valley is full of these.

Nope. It means that your neighbor is a registered sexy offender. Enjoy!

"I read a few years ago, somewhere, that the original "Barn Stars" actually were end plates for reinforcement rods going through the barns"

Those are typically six or eight point "stars", but yes, they're quite common on older (or resto/mod) buildings.
The ones being mentioned here are cheap chinese tin wall decoratons. What's funny is to see the rust streaks on the houses afterwards...

Au Contraire Wrote:
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> Nope. It means that your neighbor is a registered
> sexy offender. Enjoy!


Definitely not sex offender. There is a listed sex offender in the next neighborhood from mine and he doesn't have one of these things on his house.

Ann H. Wrote:
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> Au Contraire Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Nope. It means that your neighbor is a
> registered
> > sexy offender. Enjoy!
>
>
> Definitely not sex offender. There is a listed sex
> offender in the next neighborhood from mine and he
> doesn't have one of these things on his house.

If he doesn't have one, please notify your local police station. They'll make sure he puts that notification star on his house quickly.

The hint from 2nd commenter @Sgt. Block, is about as much as anyone here needs to know.

(Bet a bunch of these start get taken down real soon.)

I wondered the same, they have been showing up in the last few years,

The answer is there "Just a Thing" .

The flag stars are different they are for military service members , Blue = family member serving in combat or in a period of war. Gold = Family member killed in combat. Each star is dedicated to one family member thats why you may see several stars.

The early "Barn Stars " went throught the walls and supported the beams that held up upper floors in old barns and buildings of the time.

The star actually indicates that the residence is a CIA safe house. You think they'd be more clever than to advertise it.

Growing up in my neighborhood (and others around Reston) certain houses would have a black star on a neon red/orange background in the front window of their house to denote the neighborhood 'safe house', as chosen by the neighborhood watch. I guess we were supposed to go there for help if we needed it while we were playing outside? But not a clue what to do otherwise. Break in for shelter? Dunno.

RestonBorn Wrote:
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> Growing up in my neighborhood (and others around
> Reston) certain houses would have a black star on
> a neon red/orange background in the front window
> of their house to denote the neighborhood 'safe
> house', as chosen by the neighborhood watch. I
> guess we were supposed to go there for help if we
> needed it while we were playing outside? But not a
> clue what to do otherwise. Break in for shelter?
> Dunno.

Kinda ironic now that they're to mark homes of sexual predators.

just fyi, seems this thread is now about 3 diff types of house stars:

the flag with the blue star: the "offical" serviceman one

the "star under the roof" sign: the child safehouse one

the outside-the-house wall star: decorative "barn" star

No it means the females inside are heavily armed with "Joe Bidens Speed Shooting Shotguns" , Dont break in there!

They will fire two quick blasts from the porch if you do before they ask any questions.

The Stars are speading like wildfire since Joe got the word out!

Sex offenders? You see them near schools all the time, no? They're barn stars. Decorations.

Mia Wrote:
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> Sex offenders? You see them near schools all the
> time, no? They're barn stars. Decorations.


There is nothing outside for Sex Offenders. We haven't brought back the scarlet letter, Society is trying with DWI's but hasn't happened yet.

Burke Brat Wrote:
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> ...We haven't brought back the scarlet letter...

Yes we have - the internet-based "registry" serves as that.

thats all bullshit, they are used to anchor the timber andf stone in old buildings.

in the uk they are S shaped, or any variation really. anyone who says its because a family member is in the military is talking SHITE

http://www.city-data.com/forum/house/428739-big-metal-ss-old-stone-brick.html

mason Wrote:
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> thats all bullshit, they are used to anchor the
> timber andf stone in old buildings.
>
> in the uk they are S shaped, or any variation
> really. anyone who says its because a family
> member is in the military is talking SHITE
>
> http://www.city-data.com/forum/house/428739-big-me
> tal-ss-old-stone-brick.html


Seems legit.

But WTF are they doing on brand new houses in Fairfax County?

Boaz Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> mason Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > thats all bullshit, they are used to anchor the
> > timber andf stone in old buildings.
> >
> > in the uk they are S shaped, or any variation
> > really. anyone who says its because a family
> > member is in the military is talking SHITE
> >
> >
> http://www.city-data.com/forum/house/428739-big-me
>
> > tal-ss-old-stone-brick.html
>
>
> Seems legit.
>
> But WTF are they doing on brand new houses in
> Fairfax County?


cause people like old shit

mason Wrote:
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> cause people like old shit


Touché

Just as the Gay&lesbian community has adopted the Equal sign as their symbol, NAMBLA has adopted the star as theirs. The stars may be a show of support for NAMBLA.

No, I meant they're obviously not for sex offenders because you see them near schools. Does it bring joy into you people's lives to be stupid on the Internet? Barn Stars

Mia Wrote:
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> No, I meant they're obviously not for sex
> offenders because you see them near schools. Does
> it bring joy into you people's lives to be stupid
> on the Internet? Barn Stars


yes

Mia Wrote:
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> No, I meant they're obviously not for sex
> offenders because you see them near schools. Does
> it bring joy into you people's lives to be stupid
> on the Internet? Barn Stars

Which color stars are you talking about? Are you saying there's one color for sex offenders, and that other colors are not?
I want to make sure I know which are which. Thanks.

Amy G. Wrote:
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> Which color stars are you talking about? Are you
> saying there's one color for sex offenders, and
> that other colors are not?
> I want to make sure I know which are which.
> Thanks.


I always thought that the color of the star represents which specific perversion the offender has been convicted of.

And the size of the star represents the number of convictions that the offender has received.

some of these are just decoration, others stabilize the house. I would guess what you have seen is Decoration.
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Still looking for the other one but this used to be given out, but it showed potential thief the entry with little resistance, so it was disbanded here.
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None of the metal stars on buildings mean sex offenders. I've seen blue, navy, black and red barn stars. Sometimes it's architectural, but here it's probably decorative. I'm pretty sure flags in the window mean a relative is in the military. I think a white paper with a red star in the window means a safe house.

Get them Sex Offenders...
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Jews, the star is a jewish symbol.

The star keeps the niggers away.

Well I heard from a friend who is into the swinger lifestyle that the stars means the couple is into swinging or the alternative lifestyle.

It doesn't mean they have orgies, it just means they are "approachable." Meaning they are open to "playing with others."

Large P Wrote:
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> Well I heard from a friend who is into the swinger
> lifestyle that the stars means the couple is into
> swinging or the alternative lifestyle.
>
> It doesn't mean they have orgies, it just means
> they are "approachable." Meaning they are open to
> "playing with others."


Nice try but no Cigar, there is a Symbol on Boats, but not houses. The white rocks are myth as well.

You might see one of these on the homes occupied by liberal democrats
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It is totally for decoration.

Apparently they are popular enough that if you Google barn stars you will find dozens of outlets:
http://www.kpcreek.com/Barn-Stars-C149.aspx
http://americanmadetreasures.com/paintedbarnstars
http://factorydirectcraft.com/catalog/categories/2030_2284-barn_stars.html
Etc.

I always thought it meant a convicted drug dealer lived there, but that would be to simple of an idea for Virginia's Government. We know it's not for convicted Drunk drivers, or most houses would have them, so the only thing I can think of is it must mean the people have alot of money to waste and want to advertise it to the burglers.

I cant believe that people dont know the Stars are the symbol of "Ebay Super Sellers" They take items and sell them for you on Ebay for a 10 percent commission and Ebays fees.

It keeps the angel of death from killing your first born son.

SWINNGERS! when you have a star on our around your front door your a SWINNGER! who knew there where so many

In the 70's in Reston it meant that this house was a safe place to go to if you were in trouble. We had one next to our door but I have no idea if we had to go through any sort of clearance process before we received it. I will check with my mom to see if she remembers. It was a good idea at the time. No one ever came knocking on our door though.

if you aint know you shouldve axed somebody

I see these things all the time and also wonder

it' fookin don't matter what the star means in Kanadah, just egg the godforsaken rubbish pile anyway

>Virginia requires convicted sex offenders to place them there so neighbors know to avoid them.

Wrong. Virginia requires democrats to place them there so neighbors know to avoid them.

b2956902@trbvn.com Wrote:
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> >Virginia requires convicted sex offenders to
> place them there so neighbors know to avoid them.
>
> Wrong. Virginia requires democrats to place them
> there so neighbors know to avoid them.

Democrats / NAMBLA supporters / sex offenders - they're all the SAME THING!

It means they was on clearance at Walmart.

They are imitations of antique barn stars.

LMAO That is ABSOLUTELY not true!!! Virginia does not require sex offenders to place stars on their homes!

Hhhdh77 Wrote:
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> I see these things all the time and also wonder


This was started year ago by the employees who worked at Texaco gas stations.

The ads of the time stated - "Always trust your car to the man who wears the star".

Screwjob? Wrote:
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> Jews, the star is a jewish symbol.
>
> The star keeps the niggers away.

+1

it means they are good jews an will give ease to those in distress

home invasion niggas will be shot, though

You are an asshole. Those are family's who's sons and daughter went off to defend you and our county. I am never this blunt but u r an asshole. these people have lost children for your sake.