• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Carla Schauer Designs
  • Crafts & DIY
    • Rock Painting
      • Rock Painting Ideas
      • Rock Painting Supplies
      • Rock Painting Techniques
    • Craft Tutorials
    • Teens and Tweens
    • Holiday and Seasonal
      • Spring
      • Summer
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Valentine’s Day
      • Patriotic
      • Halloween
      • Christmas
    • DIY Decor
    • Technique Guides
  • Printables
  • Creative Life
  • Supplies
  • About
    • Work With Me
      • Art for Licensing
      • Surface Design Gallery
      • Craft Industry Services
      • Published work
      • Testimonials
    • Contact
  • Shop
    • Etsy
    • Zazzle
    • About my Products

What is a Moravian Star

by Carla Schauer Leave a Comment

  • Share
  • Tweet

If geometry lessons had been this pretty in my class, I would have enjoyed it so much more! While the exact story varies, the Moravian Star originally became popular because of a folded paper project used to explain complicated geometry concepts. These days, it is most widely known as a Christmas star, decorating streets and trees during the holiday season.

mathematical theory + inspired teacher + creativity = worldwide popularity   Awesome!

Red Moravian star hanging from greenery in town.

This page may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through my link, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

How is a Moravian Star Made?

The center of the original 26 pointed sea-urchin-shaped Moravian Star is technically known as a Rhombicuboctahedron, and has a lot of associated fancy math. In simple terms, the star’s center has 26 sides that are a combination of squares and triangles. Each side then has a triangular pyramid that makes the point.

A great geometry lesson, right?

Changing the geometric shape of the center can create stars with more or fewer points, which all can be made with folded paper and glue, as well as more modern metal, plastic, and glass. Often, one of the points is left open for hanging.

How can you make Moravian Stars? The easiest way to make one from paper is to buy a star cutting pattern, then assemble. The Froebel Star (German Star) variation requires only paper strips and folding.

Related: German Froebel Star Instructions

Moravian Star History

After fleeing from religious persecution and settling in Herrnhut, Germany, Moravians set out as missionaries. The children, left behind for safety, received their religious and practical educations in boarding schools. It is at one of those boarding schools in Niesky, Germany, the geometry lesson of (what became known as) the Moravian Star took place in the early 19th century, and the stars were used to decorate the classrooms.

The timeline of the story varies a bit, as do the exact details, but the star-making custom was taken home by the boys to their families, and eventually spread throughout the world by the missionary families. The stars were lit with candles and became a symbol of the Bethlehem star, made the first day of Advent and left up until Epiphany.

Do not attempt to illuminate paper stars with candles at home! Open flame + paper = not safe! I repeat, do not attempt at home! Thank you.

Star lantern decoration at Christmas Market. Charlottenburg Palace, Berlin, Germany.

Along with newer manufacturing facilities elsewhere, the original Moravian Stars with 26 points are still being made in the same Hurrnhuter Star Factory as they have been since 1897. While white stars are more commonly seen in the US today, the first stars commercially sold could have 11 combinations of white, red, blue, yellow, and green points.


Founded by Moravians in 1766, Winston-Salem, NC, began producing the stars when the factory in Hurrnhut temporarily closed during WWI. Since 1950, Moravian stars line the streets, as well as a 31 foot Moravian star adorning the top of Wake Forest Baptist Hospital’s north tower.

Modern Uses of Moravian Stars

Moravian stars are still used widely as Christmas decorations throughout the world. You can see them inside and outside of homes, decorating city streets, and topping Christmas trees.

But the star is now also appreciated for its pure geometric form as a year-round secular decoration. The stars illuminate porches and homes as chandeliers and other light fixtures. Stained glass Moravian Star-inspired interpretations catch light in windows, and metal stars sparkle as jewelry.

Blue Moravian Star Stained Glass on white background

Blue stained glass Moravian star from Garden State Glasswork on Etsy

Fröebel star history

While Fröebel stars (Fröebelstern) are not Moravian stars, they are often called by that name. They’re also known as German stars, Advent star, Danish stars, Nordic stars, Pennsylvania stars, Swedish stars, and Christmas stars.

Whew! That’s a lot of names for one star.

Both the Moravian and the Fröebel Stars:

  • are made from folded paper
  • first became became popular as a Christmas decoration in Germany and surrounding regions
  • were used to demonstrate math concepts to students

However, this type of star is created by folding and weaving 4 paper strips instead of gluing pyramid shapes. They’re more often created by individual, and the instructions are often passed down from older generations. German Fröebel Star Instructions look complex, but are made up of only 3 types of folds.

Red Wax Dipped and Glittered Froebel Star Ornamenton white background

German Froebel star, made from strips of folded paper.

The Fröebel star got this version of its name from Friedrich Fröbel (1782–1852), who also created the concept of Kindergarten. It does have some similarities with the Moravian star, which may be a part of the confusion between them.

Enter your email and grab my free easy craft idea list, designed to help you jump start your creativity, and never have to stare at unused supplies again. (Or worse, hear someone else complain about them!)
No spam ever. Unsubscribe anytime. See our privacy policy for more details.

Similiar ideas you'll want to try:

  • 5 Best Places to Find Perfect Stones for Painting
    5 Best Places to Find Perfect Stones for Painting
  • This Cute February Reading Log Makes an Easy Valentine Craft
    This Cute February Reading Log Makes an Easy Valentine Craft
  • Fall Tied Ribbon Wreath with Rustic Accents
    Fall Tied Ribbon Wreath with Rustic Accents
  • Firecracker Patriotic Bookmark Printable for Coloring
    Firecracker Patriotic Bookmark Printable for Coloring
  • Pride Craft-Rainbow Painted Rocks
    Pride Craft-Rainbow Painted Rocks
  • Share
  • Tweet

Filed Under: Creativity, Holiday and Seasonal Tagged With: affiliate, Christmas, crafts, holiday, winter

Previous Post: « Printable Christmas Bookmarks to Color
Next Post: Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Creative People »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Carla Schauer photo Welcome! I'm Carla, a licensed artist, maker, and creator of quirky art and craft projects. Here, I share DIY crafts and creativity of all kinds, occasional studio updates, and a wee bit of everyday life. New? Start here.
carla schauer on facebook carla schauer on pinterest carla schauer on instagram carla schauer on twittercarla schauer blog rss feed

Shop CSD on Etsy

Get the Creative Jumpstart!

Easy Craft Idea pdf displayed on clipboard, surrounded by gold office supplies

CSDS Favorite Posts

Printable Heart Bookmarks to Color
Travel Scavenger Hunt for Tweens
DIY Softball Hair Bows
Ultimate Guide to Rock Painting
DIY Paracord Water Bottle Holders

Footer

Google
  • About Carla
  • Studio News
  • Work With Me
  • TOU & Privacy
  • All Posts
carla schauer on facebook carla schauer on pinterest carla schauer on instagram carla schauer on twittercarla schauer blog rss feed

art and content © 2009-2022 Carla Schauer · all rights reserved.

If you'd like to share something from my site, please share ONE image and then link back to my post where people can read the full tutorial/content. Please DO NOT alter or copy photos nor copy my work in its entirety to share on your site without my permission. Some posts may contain affiliate links. Carla Schauer Designs is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. See full disclosure.

Copyright © 2022 Carla Schauer Designs on the Foodie Pro Theme

Creative Jumpstart
Enter your email below and get 100 Easy Craft Ideas, designed to help you use up your giant craft stash, and never have to stare at unused supplies again. (Or worse, hear someone else complain about them!)
Spam sucks, we won't send you any. Selling your info is gross. We don't do that either. Unsubscribe anytime, see our privacy policy for more details.
Need a Creative Jumpstart?
Enter your email below and get 100 Easy Craft Ideas, designed to help you use up your giant craft stash, and never have to stare at unused supplies again.
Spam sucks, we don't send it. Unsubscribe anytime, see privacy policy for more details.
Enter your email and grab my free easy craft idea list, designed to help you jump start your creativity, and never have to stare at unused supplies again. (Or worse, hear someone else complain about them!)
No spam ever. Unsubscribe anytime. See our privacy policy for more details.