Wikipedia:Barnstars
It is the custom to reward Wikipedia contributors for hard work and energy by giving them barnstars. To give the award to someone, just place the image on their talk page, and say why you have given it to them. Do not hesitate: be bold!
The idea of using the barnstar as a Wiki award was created by SunirShah on MeatballWiki. The actual symbol used for this is not a barnstar at all. It shows a kind of washer used in together with a tie rod. Barnstars were first used on the Wikipedia in December 2003. Since then, the idea has become a part of the Wikipedia culture. These awards are part of the Kindness Campaign and are meant to promote civility and WikiLove. They are a form of warm fuzzy: they are free to give and bring joy to the person who gets one.
When giving a barnstar, remember to provide relevant and polite text as to why you are awarding it. The following are some of the barnstars and awards currently in use. If you don't feel any of these covers the topics you are concerned with, you can always design your own award (using these examples, if you like).
Barnstars
changeHere is a partial list of barnstar awards. To see all the ones available here, see Category:Barnstar award templates.
General Barnstars are awarded for work or contributions that do not fall into a specific Wikipedia category, but instead that describe changes along a specific theme.
Image | What to type | Description |
---|---|---|
{{subst:The Original Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | The Original Barnstar
This barnstar, the first on Wikipedia, is given to recognize particularly fine contributions to Wikipedia, to let people know that their hard work is seen and appreciated. This barnstar was introduced by Martin Harper on December 19 2003 and later modified by Silsor on February 17 2004. | |
{{subst:The Changer's Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | The Changer's Barnstar
The Changer's Barnstar is awarded to individuals who display particularly fine decisions in general changing. This is occasionally known as the Deletionists' Barnstar. Sometimes, expert text removal is the most effective changing. | |
{{subst:The Working Man's Barnstar|message ~~~~|gender}} | The Working Man's Barnstar
The Working Man's Barnstar may be awarded to those who work tirelessly and endlessly on the more laborious or repetitive of Wikipedia tasks. This barnstar can now be gender-specific by supplying 'm' for Man's, 'w' for Woman's or 'n' for Wikipedian's in place of the gender option. Leaving this option blank will use the award's default state of Man's. | |
{{subst:The Minor Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | The Minor Barnstar
Small changes are often-overlooked, but essential, contributions to the Wikipedia. The Minor Barnstar is awarded for making small changes of the utmost quality. This barnstar was introduced by Spencer195 on July 13, 2004. The design was slightly modified by MattTM. | |
{{subst:The Random Acts of Kindness Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | The Random Acts of Kindness Barnstar
The Random Acts of Kindness Barnstar may be awarded to those that show a pattern of going the extra mile to be nice, without being asked. This barnstar was introduced by TheCustomOfLife on August 2, 2004. | |
{{subst:The Admin's Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | The Admin's Barnstar
The Admin's Barnstar may be awarded to administrators who made a particularly difficult decision, did a tiresome but needed admin task, cleared some nasty backlog or just to show an administrator that you think they are doing good work in a particular area of "the job" and that their work is appreciated. To be used when other, more specific, barnstars do not apply to the reasons at hand. Introduced by SoWhy on November 14, 2008. | |
{{subst:The Rollbacker's Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | The Rollbacker's Barnstar
The Rollbacker's Barnstar may be awarded to rollbackers who tirelessly rollback vandalism edits, or just to show a rollbacker that their work is appreciated. Barnstar image made by Asteralee on November 8, 2024 and introduced on November 9, 2024, making this barnstar the youngest. | |
{{subst:The Barnstar of Diligence|message ~~~~}} | The Barnstar of Diligence
The Barnstar of Diligence may be awarded in recognition of a combination of extraordinary scrutiny, precision and community service. This barnstar was introduced by Pedant on August 13, 2004. The design was touched up by Wapcaplet at the request of Neutrality. | |
{{subst:The Surreal Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | The Surreal Barnstar
The Surreal Barnstar may be awarded to any Wikipedian who adds "special flavor" to the community by acting as a sort of wildcard. This barnstar was introduced by Merovingian on August 14, 2004. | |
{{subst:The Tireless Contributor Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | The Tireless Contributor Barnstar
The Tireless Contributor Barnstar may be awarded to especially tireless Wikipedians who contribute an especially large body of work without sacrificing quality. This barnstar was introduced by Trainspotter on October 26 2004. | |
{{subst:The Photographer's Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | The Photographer's Barnstar
The Photographer's Barnstar is awarded to those individuals who tirelessly improve the Wikipedia with their photographic skills and contributions. This barnstar was introduced by Grunt on November 27 2004. | |
{{subst:The Defender of the Wiki Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | The Defender of the Wiki Barnstar
The Defender of the Wiki may be awarded to those who have defended the integrity of Wikipedia. It was created after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, when a fraudulent charity tried to take advantage of the widespread media. | |
{{subst:The Barnstar of Good Humor|message ~~~~}} | The Barnstar of Good Humor
The Barnstar of Good Humor may be awarded to particularly light-spirited Wikipedians who, by their unshakably good humor, consistently and reliably lighten the mood, defuse conflicts, and make the Wikipedia a generally better place to be. This award was introduced on February 28 2005, and was designed by Deathphoenix and Redux. | |
{{subst:The Barnstar of Good Humor|message ~~~~|alt}} | The Barnstar of Good Humour
The Barnstar of Good Humour is an alternative British edition of the above barnstar, because we cannot possibly sleep when given that one. This award was introduced on December 3 2010 by Mr. Berty (seasons greetings!) talk/stalk. | |
{{subst:The Friendly Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | The Friendly Barnstar is an alternative British edition of the above barnstar, because we cannot possibly sleep when given that one.
This award was introduced on September 26 2012 by Receptie123 talk/stalk. | |
{{subst:The Anti-Vandalism Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | The Anti-Vandalism Barnstar
The Anti-Vandalism Barnstar (formerly the The RickK Anti-Vandalism Barnstar) may be awarded to those who show great contributions to protecting and reverting attacks of vandalism on Wikipedia. For more information on fighting vandalism, please see Wikipedia:Vandalism. This award was introduced on February 27, 2005 by brian0918, and was designed by Deathphoenix. This award was renamed on July 24, 2005 in appreciation of the efforts of former Wikipedian RickK in fighting vandalism. | |
{{subst:The Resilient Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | The Resilient Barnstar
The Resilient Barnstar may be given to any user who learns and improves from criticisms, never lets mistakes or blunders impede their growth as Wikipedians, or has the ability to recover/finish with a smile. | |
{{subst:The Rosetta Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | The Rosetta Barnstar
The Rosetta Barnstar may be given to any user who exhibits outstanding translation efforts on Wikipedia. This award was introduced on June 1, 2005 by Harðor, and was designed by David Levy. | |
{{subst:The da Vinci Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | The da Vinci Barnstar
The da Vinci Barnstar may be awarded to anyone who has enhanced Wikipedia through their technical work (programming and tools, bot building, admin or sysop work, link repair, Mediawiki developers, etc.). This award may also be given to Cabalists, Mediators and Arbitrators - whose work is essential to the functioning of Wikipedia. This award was suggested by EWS23 and Covington; it was designed by The Man in Question and was introduced on 6 March, 2006. | |
{{subst:The Commons Ambassador Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | The Commons Ambassador Barnstar
The Commons Ambassador Barnstar is awarded to users who make exceptional contributions to the synergistic relationship of Wikipedia with Wikimedia Commons. For instance, searching through Commons to find suitable pictures to add to Wikipedia. Or finding free-use images on Wikipedia and moving them to Commons. This award was suggested by Johntex; it was designed by Smomo and was introduced on 6 March, 2007. | |
{{subst:The Copyeditor's Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | The Copyeditor's Barnstar
The Copyeditor's Barnstar is awarded for excellence in Copyediting.
This award was suggested by Trusilver; it was designed by Kathryn NicDhàna with input from members of the League of Copyeditors. It was introduced on March 8, 2007. | |
{{subst:The Left Half of the Half Barnstar|message ~~~~}} {{subst:The Right Half of the Half Barnstar|message ~~~~}} |
The Half Barnstar
The Half Barnstar is awarded for excellence in Cooperation, especially for productive changing together with someone who holds diametrically opposed viewpoints. Both users get one half of the star; when cooperating they hold a full one. It was thought of September 2006 by User:Radiant!, but not actually handed out until April 2007. | |
{{subst:The Special Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | The Special Barnstar
The Special Barnstar may be awarded to a user as a gesture of appreciation for a specific reason, when there is no other barnstar which would feel as appropriate. This barnstar was introduced by Rhanyeia on 14 May 2007 and it's co-created with Suvi Ylioja. | |
{{subst:What a Brilliant Idea Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | The "What a Brilliant Idea!" Barnstar
This barnstar should be awarded to a user who figures out an elegant solution to a particularly burdensome bottleneck or problem, or who identifies a means to improve Wikipedia in a profound way. Adapted from the technology barnstar. | |
{{subst:Barnstarofpeace|message ~~~~}} | The Barnstar of Peace
For peacefully resolving conflicts on Wikipedia. Introduced by Defender 911, image design by Hersfold. | |
{{subst:InvisibleBarnstar|message ~~~~}} | The Invisible Barnstar
The Invisible Barnstar is to be awarded to users who make significant and helpful contributions to the project, but keep to the background without seeking recognition or reward for their work. Designed and introduced by Hersfold. | |
{{subst:The Socratic Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | The Socratic Barnstar
The Socratic Barnstar is awarded to those users who are extremely skilled and eloquent in their arguments. Designed and introduced by Martinphi. | |
{{subst:The Real Life Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | The Real Life Barnstar
The Real Life Barnstar is awarded to uses who make changes both online and offline, by organizing wiki-related real-life events. Designed and introduced by TexasDex. | |
{{subst:The Teamwork Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | The Teamwork Barnstar may be awarded when several editors work together to improve an article. Introduced in November 2008 by JaGa. | The Teamwork Barnstar
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{{subst:The Helping Hand Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | The Helping Hand Barnstar
The Helping Hand Barnstar is to be awarded to users who frequently help new users. Introduced by Maniadis on November 5, 2008. | |
{{subst:The Citation Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | The Citation Barnstar
The Citation Barnstar is awarded to users who provide references and in-line citations to previously unsourced articles. Introduced in March, 2008 by J.delanoy. | |
{{subst:The Categorisation Barnstar|message ~~~~|American English?}} | The Categorisation Barnstar
The Categorisation Barnstar is to be awarded to users who spend a lot of time editing our category structure, helping it to grow, or who spend time categorising articles to help our readers. This banstar can now use American English. By typing yes in the American English place, the barnstar will use the American English word "Categorization" instead of "Categorisation". Suggested by Iuio on April 16, 2007 and introduced by Hiding T on April 12, 2008. Redesigned by Rectilinium in April 2009. | |
{{subst:Golden Wiki Award|message ~~~~}} | Golden Wiki Award
This award should be given to editors that did many constructive things for Wikipedia. |
The Simple Barnstar was created just for the Simple English Wikipedia (and Wiktionary). This barnstar is awarded to someone who helps others stay focused on the unique goals of this Wikipedia, especially in "keeping it simple!"
Image | What to type | Description |
---|---|---|
{{subst:The Simple Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | The Simple Barnstar
This barnstar is given to someone who helps others stay focused on the unique goals of this Wikipedia, especially in "keeping it simple!" This barnstar was introduced by StevenJ81 on March 20, 2013. |
Barnstars of National Merit
changeThere are too many Barnstars of National Merit to list here! Please visit Wikipedia:Barnstars/Barnstar of National Merit.
The following barnstars are awarded in recognition of excellent contributions that are for edits of a particular area of editing on wikipedia.
- Art and Culture – Art, literature, music, philosophy, religion
- Geography – Geography, nation articles
- Health and fitness – Health, Health sciences and Self-care
- History and Events – Archaeology, history and events
- Mathematics and Abstraction – Mathematics and Abstraction
- Natural sciences and Nature – Science, Natural sciences, and Nature
- People and self – People, Personal life, Self and Surnames, education, food & drink, language, sports & games
- Philosophy and thinking – Philosophy and Thought
- Religion and belief systems – Religion and Belief
- Reference – Research and Library and information science
- Social sciences and Society – Social sciences, society, economics, government & politics, law, media, royalty & nobility and war
- Technology – Technology, transportation, and applied sciences
{{subst:The Barnstar of High Culture|message ~~~~}} | The Barnstar of High Culture
Category: Art and Culture (art, literature, media, music, philosophy, religion) The Barnstar of High Culture may be awarded to an editor who makes particularly fine culture-related contributions. This award was introduced on March 232005 by brian0918 and ClockworkSoul, and was designed by AllyUnion and brian0918. | ||
{{subst:The Geography Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | The Geography Barnstar
Category: Geography (Geography and articles about nations) The Geography Barnstar may be awarded to an editor who contributes significantly to expand or improve Wikipedia's coverage of Category:Geography. It may also be awarded to those who create a particularly fine article of any given country. | ||
{{subst:The Epic Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | The Epic Barnstar
Category: History and Events (archaeology, history, events) The Epic Barnstar may be awarded to an editor who makes particularly fine History and Events - related contributions. This award was introduced on April 152005 by brian0918 and ClockworkSoul, and was designed by ClockworkSoul. | ||
{{subst:The EMC² Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | The E=MC² Barnstar
Category: Mathematics and Science ("Hard" sciences; astronomy, chemistry, biology, geology, mathematics, medicine, minerology, physics) The E=MC² Barnstar may be awarded to an editor who makes particularly fine contributions regarding mathematics or science-related topics This award was introduced on April 22, 2005 by brian0918 and ClockworkSoul. | ||
{{subst:The Barnstar of Life|message ~~~~}} | The Barnstar of Life
Category: People, personal life, self and Surnames (education, food & drink, language, sports & games) The Barnstar of Life may be awarded to an editor who makes particularly fine Life-related contributions. This award was introduced on March 17, 2005 by brian0918 and ClockworkSoul, and was designed by Sango123. | ||
{{subst:The Society Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | The Society Barnstar
Category: Social sciences and Society (Economics, government & politics, law, royalty & nobility, war) The Society Barnstar is intended for those whose work advances the general understanding of any given society one may attain by consulting Wikipedia. This award was introduced on March 23, 2005 by Clockworksoul, and was designed by grm_wnr. | ||
{{subst:The Technology Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | The Technology Barnstar
Category: Technology (Technology, transportation, and applied sciences) The Technology Barnstar may be awarded to an editor who makes particularly fine Technology-related contributions. This award was introduced on March 3, 2005 by brian0918 and ClockworkSoul, and was designed by brian0918. | ||
{{subst:The Fraternity and Sorority Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | The Fraternity and Sorority Barnstar
Category: Fraternities and Sororities (Fraternities and Sororities and Founder's Biographies) The Fraternity and Sorority may be awarded to an editor who makes excellent contributions to fraternities or sororities. This award was introduced and designed on November 28, 2007 by Miranda. | ||
{{subst:The Barnstar of National Merit|message ~~~~}} | Geography | The Barnstar of National Merit
The Barnstar of National Merit may be awarded to an editor who contributes significantly to expand or improve Wikipedia's coverage of any given country. This barnstar was proposed by Redux on February 23, 2005, and was designed by Zscout370. For national variations, see Barnstar of National Merit or Commons, the national variations. | |
{{subst:The Running Man Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | Sports articles. See Sports |
The Running Man Barnstar
The Running Man Barnstar may be awarded for distinguished efforts in sports-related articles. This barnstar is intended for those who give 110% in order to advance Wikipedia's coverage of the world of sports. This award was introduced on February 15 2005, and was designed by Deathphoenix and brian0918. | |
{{subst:The Oddball Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | The Oddball Barnstar
The Oddball Barnstar may be awarded to an editor who creates a particularly fine article regarding a subject that is odd, whimsical, or is otherwise something that one wouldn't expect to find in more traditional encyclopedias. This award was introduced on March 222005 by ClockworkSoul, and was designed by Riffsyphon1024 and brian0918. | ||
{{subst:The Current Events Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | The Current Events Barnstar
The Current Events Barnstar may be awarded to editors who make substantial contributions to current events articles, helping accurate information get through when it is most needed. This barnstar was introduced by Kizor on July 7 2005 and designed by Zscout370, David Levy and Sango123. | ||
{{subst:The Template Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | The Template Barnstar
The Template Barnstar may be awarded to an editor who contributes significantly to create or improve useful templates and infoboxes. This barnstar was introduced by Smurrayinchester on January 8, 2006. | ||
{{subst:The Business and Economics Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | The Business and Economics Barnstar may be awarded to anyone who makes a major, good and balanced contribution to the pages on business, economics or related matters. This award was suggested by Major Bonkers and designed by Smurrayinchester. | ||
{{subst:The Barnstar of Liberty|message ~~~~}} | Human rights | The Barnstar of Liberty
The Barnstar of Liberty may be awarded to an editor who contributes significantly to expand or improve Wikipedia's coverage of Human rights or Freedom of expression This barnstar was proposed by evrik 2005, and was designed by Smurrayinchester. | |
{{subst:The LGBT Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | Category:LGBT. See Sexuality |
The LGBT Barnstar
The LGBT Barnstar is awarded to editors who make significant contributions that expand Wikipedia’s knowledge about homosexuality, bisexuality, transexuality, LGBT life and culture, notable LGBT people, events and movements, sociological issues, and population statistics. This barnstar was proposed by Dev920 on November 11, 2006, and was designed by Ouro. | |
{{subst:The Fauna Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | Category:Biology. See Biology |
The Fauna Barnstar
The Fauna Barnstar is awarded to editors who make significant contributions to either wild or domestic animal related articles that expand Wikipedia’s knowledge about various animal species, habitats, behavior/characteristics, endangerment, and population statistics. This award was proposed and designed by Persian Poet Gal 2006. | |
{{subst:The Royalty's Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | Royalty and Nobility Barnstar
The Royalty and Nobility Barnstar is awarded to editors who make significant contributions to royalty and nobility related articles that expand Wikipedia’s knowledge about the biographies of people belonging to royalty and/or nobility. This barnstar was developed by BolinhasFofas 2007.
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{{subst:The Paranormal Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | Category:WikiProjects. See Project Paranormal |
The Paranormal Barnstar
This Barnstar was created to reward users who have worked hard to expand and maintain page within the jurisdiction of Project Paranormal. | |
{{subst:Tip of the Day Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | Category:WikiProjects. See WP:TOTD |
The Tip of the Day Barnstar
This barnstar should be awarded to a user who participates beyond the call of duty in the Tip of the day department. Adapted from the technology barnstar. | |
{{subst:The Literary Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | Literature | The Literary Barnstar
This barnstar may be awarded to an editor who makes significant contributions to articles about literature. This barnstar was designed by Scartol in September 2007. |
A topical barnstar is for a topic or area of substantial interest to users of Wikipedia.
Image | What to type | Category | Description |
---|---|---|---|
{{subst:The Barnstar of National Merit|message ~~~~}} | Geography | The Barnstar of National Merit
The Barnstar of National Merit may be awarded to a user who contributes significantly to expand or improve Wikipedia's coverage of any given country. This barnstar was proposed by Redux on February 23, 2005, and was designed by Zscout370. For national variations, see Barnstar of National Merit or Commons, the national variations. | |
{{subst:The Template Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | The Template Barnstar
The Template Barnstar may be awarded to a user who contributes significantly to create or improve useful templates and infoboxes. This barnstar was introduced by Smurrayinchester on January 8, 2006. | ||
{{subst:The LGBT Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | Category:LGBT. See Sexuality |
The LGBT Barnstar
The LGBT Barnstar is awarded to users who make significant changes that expand Wikipedia’s knowledge about homosexuality, bisexuality, transexuality, LGBT life and culture, notable LGBT people, events and movements, sociological issues, and population statistics. This barnstar was proposed by Dev920 on November 11, 2006, and was designed by Ouro. | |
{{subst:World War Barnstar|message ~~~~}} | Category:Wars. See World War |
The World War Barnstar
The World War Barnstar is for users who contribute especially well to World War related articles. Barnstar idea by Kayau, and design by Kingpin13, 11:40, July 9, 2009 (UTC). |