Why are porch ceilings painted blue in Key West?

As time went by another legend came to be as home owners continued to paint their Key West ceilings blue. The idea was (and for some still is) that blue porch ceilings act as a natural bug repellent because the porch looks like the sky and fools the bugs who obviously won't build their nests in the sky.

Why are porch ceilings blue in Key West?

Gullah folklore explains that ghosts, also referred to as “haints,” were not able to cross water. 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 are front porch ceilings painted blue?

According to the Gullah/Geechee, a blue porch ceiling brought good luck to the home and helped to ward away evil spirits as these lost souls are unable to cross water. A haint blue porch ceiling resembles water and prevents haints from harming the people in the house.

What does a blue porch ceiling mean?

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.

Why do people paint their outside ceilings blue?

Across the South, the tradition of painting ceilings blue is passed down from generation to generation. There are many stories and legends as to why, and it's not just about keeping bugs at bay. In the Deep South, a darker blue sometimes called “haint blue” is believed by some to keep away evil spirits.

The Story of Haint Blue | What About This?

Does painting 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 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 does a blue porch light mean 2020?

Meaning Of Blue Porch Light. Although there are many reasons why someone would choose to put a blue porch light up, usually they are to bring awareness to a cause. The most common causes are Autism awareness, law enforcement support, and Alopecia Areata awareness.

What color is haint blue paint?

In fact, the pale blue-green tint is now known in design circles as "haint blue." Even if you don't believe in ghosts, a blue ceiling adds plenty of benefits from a design perspective.

Does blue paint deter spiders?

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 does blue awning mean?

Once upon a time in the deep South, many people painted their porch ceilings a specific shade of Haint Blue, a soft blue-green, to ward off evil spirits called “haints.” It's especially common in the historic homes around Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina.

What color is Palladian blue?

Palladian Blue is a serene blue-green paint that offers soft, relaxing tones. Its light and airy coastal hue makes it a perfect choice for adding a touch of spa-like color to almost any room, from bathroom to bedroom, and even the laundry room!

Should I paint my 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.

Who makes haint blue paint color?

There are so many options for Benjamin Moore haint blue colors but this one is a personal favorite if you like a brighter blue sunny day look.

What color is haint blue in Sherwin Williams?

Sherwin-Williams Waterscape (SW 6470) is a dynamic, perfectly soft-but-bright blue infused with hints of green. Haint blue in general can be tricky because it will depend on several factors, like the natural light on your porch, the other colors present, and the amount of greenery surrounding your house.

Is there a haint blue stain?

If you've ever noticed that in the Lowcountry of South Carolina (as well as Georgia, parts of Florida, and North Carolina) there are homes with porch ceilings painted a light blue with a hint of green, there' actually a reason for the hue. The color is known as haint blue.

What is the horrible history of haint blue?

This “haint blue,” first derived from the dye produced on Lowcountry indigo plantations, was originally used by enslaved Africans, and later by the Gullah Geechee, to combat “haints” and “boo hags”—evil spirits who escaped their human forms at night to paralyze, injure, ride (the way a person might ride a horse), or ...

Who sells haint blue paint?

Some great haint blue paint options listed below are Palladian Blue by Benjamin Moore, Atmospheric by Sherwin Williams, Rainwashed by Sherwin Williams, Pool Blue by Sherwin Williams or Blue Allure by Benjamin Moore.

What is the most popular exterior house color for Florida?

Light taupe or tan is the most popular Florida exterior color. Gray comes in next as the second most popular.

Why are some porch lights blue?

Blue Porch Light Meaning

According to Enlightened Landscape Lights , blue lights are for autism awareness. This began when the United Nations General Assembly in 2007 officially declared that April 2nd is now World Autism Awareness Day.

What does purple light on porch mean?

What Does a Purple Porch Light Mean? If you ever see a purple porch light, it's there to bring awareness to incidents of domestic violence. It can go undetected for far too long, especially if the victim feels they cannot leave due to a dangerous response from the attacker.

What do red porch lights mean 2021?

Most commonly, red porch light is meant to raise awareness for heart health. They're most common in February, which is American Heart Month. People also use red porch lights to decorate their homes for Halloween and Valentine's Day.

What does a blue door mean?

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.

How was haint blue made?

Mixing the dregs, or leftover remnants, in a pit with lime, milk and other pigments, they formed a shade of robin's egg blue paint that would become known as 'haint blue. ' The lowcountry is a land of blue water and blue sky.

Where did the term haint come from?

Haint is an old southern word for a specific type of ghost or evil spirit from the Carolina coast, but found in tales from various regions of the south. Belief in haints probably originated with the Gulla Geechee people, descendants of African slaves in the Carolina low country and barrier islands.