The History of Moravian Stars

Glass stars are a beautiful symbol of hope and celebration. Known as Moravian Stars, Advent Stars or Herrnhut stars, these glass stars have grown in popularity over the years. Yet few people know about what these stars stand for and their history.

The glass star was developed around 1850 in a Moravian boys boarding school in Niesky, Germany as a study of geometry. The star fascinated many people and quickly became a religious symbol. The star began to symbolize Christmas and represented the Star of Bethlehem to the Moravian people.

Moravians adopted the star as part of their Advent celebration, hence the stars became known as Moravian stars. Traditionally, the star is displayed in the home from the first Sunday in Advent until the sixth of January. The star is meant to bring the hope of Advent to the household.

During the 1880s, Pieter Verbeek, an alumni of the German boarding school, began mass producing the stars. His son founded the Herrnhut star factory which created stars that were shipped all over the world. War eventually closed the factory, however many Moravian communities had began making their own. Some of these communities include the British Isles, the United States and various world-wide missions.

The Moravian star varies in appearance, color, and medium. Stars can be made from paper, plastic, and glass. The most familiar Moravian star is the white parchment paper star hung in Moravian houses during the holidays. Many of these paper stars are made with alternating red and white points. These stars are usually made in combinations of red and yellow, white and yellow, and a yellow containing a red center. Plastic stars can easily be made into lighting fixtures and are durable enough to use outdoors. Glass stars tend to be more artistic. The glass stars are usually made of beveled glass and are either made to mimic the North Star or be used as a candle holder.

The Moravian star is still a mystery to many people. But each year, more people are discovering the beauty of the Moravian star. The star has become more than just a Christmas decoration. It has become art.