We first see the neon stars superimposed over The Big Lebowski's opening credits. When The Dude, Walter, and Donny leave Hollywood Star Lanes after bowling, we realize that the stars were actually mounted on the side of the bowling alley itself. Every time our happy trio leaves the bowling alley, we're greeted with these stars. Additionally, when The Dude gets knocked out by Maude Lebowski and dreams he's flying over L.A.'s nighttime cityscape, the lights beneath him take a shape similar to these stars.

The stars are a visual motif designed to ground The Big Lebowski in retro-ness. Hollywood Star Lanes was built in 1960, and much of its interior reflects this far-out fact. The stars also add to the generally trippy feeling of the film. It's no coincidence that they turn up when The Dude's dreaming of chasing Maude as she flies away on a magic carpet.