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.

What does a blue porch mean in the South?

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).”

Does blue paint keep bugs away?

Does it work, and why? 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.

What is the meaning of haint blue shutters in the South?

The Gullah Geechee people, who were descendants of central and west African slaves, painted their doors, windows frames, shutters, and their porch ceilings blue as a means of protection. They believed that the color would act as a sort of repellant for “haints,” or spirits of the dead, who may try to enter their homes.

What does blue porch light mean?

Red porch light: participating in heart health awareness. Purple porch light: color of domestic violence awareness. Blue porch light: raise awareness about autism and as a means of celebrating police officers. Green porch light: raise awareness for Lyme disease.

Why do they paint porch ceilings blue in New Orleans?

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. The Gullah people made sure to cover all their bases—windows, doors and shutters were often painted the same color of “haint blue.”

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 Sherwin Williams Color is haint blue?

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.

Why are porch ceilings painted blue in Key West?

Blue painted porch ceilings are a common and aesthetically beautiful site to see in Key West. 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. …

What does Hainted 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.”

Article first time published on

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 …

Why is it called haint blue?

Haint blue was supposed to protect people from bad spirits. … The Gullah people (also known as the Geechee or Gullah Geechee) in Georgia, a subsection of enslaved people who lived on island and costal plantations, were the first to use this color blue as a protection against evil spirits, calling it “haint blue”.

What colors keep mosquitoes away?

The Colors to Help Keep Mosquitoes Away Certain colors repel mosquitoes. If you don’t want to become a mosquito’s next meal, try wearing lighter, more subdued hues. White, beige, khaki, pastel yellow, and even soft gray are good options. And as a bonus, these colors will also keep you cooler on a warm day.

What colors keep wasps away?

Bees and wasps instinctively perceive dark colors as a threat. Wear white, tan, cream, or gray clothing as much as possible and avoid black, brown, or red clothes. Bees and wasps see the color red as black, so they perceive it as a threat.

Does blue keep mosquitoes away?

Mosquitos. … Mosquitos see colors differently than most insects and can pick up shades outside of the UV spectrum. Therefore, using brighter colors like white, yellow, and blue can repel these pests a little more effectively.

What do blue porch lights mean 2020?

If you notice a blue light bulb lighting up someone’s porch, this is the meaning: The blue lights convey a message of respect and solidarity for all officers and their families.

What does purple porch light 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.

What does a green porch light mean 2020?

A green porch light is a symbol of appreciation for US military veterans. Though some people may leave a green porch light on year round to express their support, many choose to use this colored bulb around Veteran’s Day, which is celebrated on November 11th, and Memorial Day, which falls on the last Monday of May.

Does painting porch ceiling blue keep wasps 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 colors do flies hate?

Well studies have shown that the color yellow is the number one color that repels flies. Unfortunately you would need to completely surround you home in yellow light bulbs for it to have any real effect.

What color paint repels bugs?

Posted in Exterior Painting, Paint Colors. Small insects, birds, and bugs are very responsive to colors due to their limited sensory function. If you have a problem with them ingesting your outdoor spaces, you can use colors such as yellow and blue to repel them.

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 color to a room without going too bold.

Who Makes Key West blue paint?

Florida Keys Blue 2050-40 | Benjamin Moore.

What is a haint spirit?

A “haint” is a type of ghost or evil spirit that originated in the beliefs and customs of the Gullah Geechee people, descendants of African slaves who live predominantly in the Low Country and on the barrier islands off the coast of the Carolinas, Georgia, and north Florida.

What color is Charleston Blue?

Charleston Haint Blue is light, airy, ethereal and maybe even a little mysterious. This is the pale blue you’ll find on porch ceilings across the south, but particularly prominent in Charleston. Purposefully balanced to work with a wide range of exterior color palettes.

What is a good haint blue?

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 does the word magnesia mean?

noun. a white, tasteless substance, magnesium oxide, MgO, used in medicine as an antacid and laxative.

Is Haint a Scrabble word?

Haint is valid Scrabble Word.

What is the synonym of Haunt?

torment, obsess, oppress, disturb, trouble, worry, plague, burden, beset, beleaguer, bedevil, besiege, torture. prey on, weigh on, gnaw at, nag at, weigh heavily on, lie heavy on. prey on one’s mind, weigh heavily on one’s mind, be a weight on one’s mind.

What does a blue 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.

How do you use Haint in a sentence?

I got a tree on my back and a haint in my house, and nothing in between but the daughter I am holding in my arms. My dead grandpa’s haint floated above my bed one night when I was a young’un and scared me so bad I busted the bedroom door down tryin’ to get out that room so fast.