A
barnstar is a decorative motif found on
barn structures in the
United States and
Germany.
Originally a decorative form of wall anchor , barnstars were also meant to represent the mark of the builder; over time, however, they became more frequently used for aesthetic purposes. They were most popular after the American Civil War.
Barnstars are seen not only on barns, but on many older buildings, often of brick. A long steel rod is passed entirely through the building; a star on either side is threaded onto the ends of the rod and they are tightened. This helps to keep the structure from collapsing. A heavily starred building should be examined for failure of the mortar, and may require tuckpointing or more drastic repairs.
Barnstars in Internet culture
Some wiki communities (notably Wikipedia and MeatballWiki) have adopted the barnstar as a symbol of good work, specifically in relation to the metaphor of barn raising as representing collaborative effort toward a common goal. The idea is that a user can be "awarded" a barnstar by the image being placed on the page associated with that user, and thus thanked for their work toward the community.
One further reference to barnstars on the Internet was the barnstar subterfuge experiment, in which commercial web designers were asked to plant the barnstar shape in websites they were designing for clients, without letting the clients know. The challenge was to incorporate it in the most creative way possible. This can be considered a form of Easter egg.
See also
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