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The painted blue porch ceiling started in the American South around 200 years ago. In order to repel evil spirits from plantations, porch ceilings were painted a soft blue. The color was meant to mimic water in an effort to keep any haints or spirits at bay.
Why do Southerners paint their porch ceiling blue?
Across the South, the tradition of painting ceilings blue is passed down from generation to generation. In the Deep South, a darker blue sometimes called “haint blue” is believed by some to keep away evil spirits.
Does painting the porch ceiling blue keep bugs away?
Unfortunately, there is no scientific evidence that blue ceilings do in fact keep bugs away. However, there are some personal testimonies that state they saw fewer spiders and wasps after painting their porch ceiling blue.
What color is haint blue?
Haint blue is a collection of pale shades of blue-green that are traditionally used to paint porch ceilings in the southern United States. The tradition originated with the Gullah in Georgia and South Carolina.
Does sky blue paint keep bugs away?
Lore claims the insects and birds see the blue as the sky and don’t come beneath it. According to a history of blue paint on Sherwin-Williams.com, today’s blue paint is probably not a true deterrent for insects and birds but it once was – back when blue paint was made with lye.
Will painting a porch ceiling blue?
According to Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams, “Simply put, many homeowners choose to paint the porch ceiling blue because of the way it makes that space look and feel. Blue is a calming color, so using it in an area of the house that’s intended for relaxation makes sense.
What does a blue porch mean in the South?
The shade of blue used on many southern ceilings is often called “haint blue”. The blue color was meant to ward off “haints” or evil spirits who might want to harm the house or the family inside. Tricking Insects. Many people argue that painting your porch ceiling blue actually keeps insects away.
Does Sky Blue keep spiders away?
Sky blue paint might actually fool insects as well. Originally we painted the porch ceiling blue over seven years ago and I can say we have had fewer spiders, wasps, and other bugs trying to take up residence on our porch ceiling.
Do spiders avoid sky blue?
The color that spiders tend to hate is light blue. People don’t just paint their porches light blue for the aesthetic. Painting your porch ceiling in this shade is a pretty effective way of keeping spiders away. The color is also known to repel wasps.
What color paint repels wasps?
The other step I highly recommend is to paint eaves and porch and patio ceilings with the color called haint blue. It is a robin’s-egg blue that, according to Southern tradition, discourages wasps from building nests on its surface.
What is a haint ghost?
So what is a “haint?” It’s just another word for a ghost or spirit, a derivative of “haunt.” For centuries, Southerners have passed down ways to keep spirits from haunting your home.
What does haint mean?
DEFINITIONS1. 1. a type of ghost or evil spirit from the Carolina coast. According to Appalachian historian Dave Tabler, the word haint can refer to an angry dead spirit, but also to “an undefinable something that scares the bejeevers out of you.”Apr 5, 2019.
What is a haint ceiling?
Haint blue was originally thought to ward off ghosts or evil spirits (also called haints) and was meant to mimic the appearance of the sky or water and trick the spirit into leaving. This color was used on far more than just ceilings – it was used on exterior trim, decor, and more and thought to help protect the home.
Can you paint a ceiling blue?
Your ceiling might not draw quite the same crowd, but painting it can have a big impact on the overall decor. And while white is certainly the safest choice, flip through any design magazine and you’ll quickly note that blue is a decorator favorite.
Do light blue ceilings keep bugs away?
Well, it’s called “haint blue” and may repel more than just insects, thus the name. The South Carolina Low Country, blue paint has been used on porch ceilings ands ome say this color blue extends daylight at dusk and helps keep bees, wasps and other insects away.
What is the meaning of haint blue paint?
The shade and the term “haint blue” have become mythic and ubiquitous. The Gullah Geechee legend says that evil spirits do not like water and painting spaces to look like water will keep them away. The color is said to have been originally based on the indigo grown in the region in the eighteenth century.
What is the meaning of haint blue?
The folklore piece refers to the concept of “haint,” a Southern variation on the word “haunt” that refers to a ghost or spirit. “Blue represented water, and apparently spirits can’t traverse water,” said O’Neill. “People would paint the ceilings, the window trim and sometimes the doors (to keep spirits away).”Aug 28, 2017.
What is a porch?
Generally, a porch is a covered area that is attached to the entrance of a building. A porch typically has open sides and offers an easy transition between the indoors and outdoors.
What does a blue porch light mean 2020?
Many parents will also put blue lights on their porches to show support for those who struggle with autism Spectrum Disorder. The color blue was chosen for this awareness month because of the connection between autism and the sky.
What does a blue front door mean?
Blue. A blue front door may symbolize prosperity and abundance, and the darker you go the more a blue door can project a sense of tranquility, peace and elegance.
