Why do they paint porch ceilings blue in Georgia?
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 did the Gullah paint their ceilings blue?
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.”
Where did the tradition of blue porch ceilings come from?
The tradition is rooted in Gullah culture. Blue porch ceilings first appeared at antebellum plantations of the early nineteenth century due to the tradition of the Gullah (a.k.a Geechee) people, enslaved African Americans in the coastal areas of Georgia and South Carolina.
What color is a hint blue porch ceiling?
A haint blue porch ceiling resembles water and prevents haints from harming the people in the house. The soft blue often used on porch ceiling retains the ghostly name of haint blue, however, haint blue is not a specific color.
Why do people paint porches blue?
The tradition is rooted in Gullah culture. Gullah folklore held that ghosts—known as “haints” (and pronounced “haunts”) in the Creole dialect—could not cross water, and because blue resembles water, ceilings were painted this color to repel evil spirits.
What color do Southerners paint their porch ceilings?
blueAcross 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.
Does painting your porch ceiling blue keep the spiders and wasps 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 does a blue door 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)."
What color keeps ghosts away?
haint bluePurpose. Originally, haint blue was thought by the Gullah to ward haints, or ghosts, away from the home. The tactic was intended either to mimic the appearance of the sky, tricking the ghost into passing through, or to mimic the appearance of water, which ghosts traditionally could not cross.
What color keeps birds away?
Blue ceilings are also said to deter birds and insects.
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.
Does the color blue repel mosquitoes?
While darker colors may save you from bees and beetles, they can attract a different monster- 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.
Does blue porch ceiling deter 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. Every paint manufacturer sells a version of this color.
Do wasps hate the color blue?
Wasps are the least attracted to dark colors like blue and black. Below we'll go over the 5 colors that attract wasps so you can plan your porch decor, gardens, and even your clothes outfit to better avoid these pesky flying insects. Let's get to it!
Do wasps like the color blue?
Some homeowners paint the porch ceiling of their homes blue because they believe the color discourages wasps from their building and so they cannot build nests near the entryway. Even though it is not true that blue paint repels wasps actively, it is not attractive to these insects.
What colour do wasps hate?
Wasps love yellow Like most insects, they cannot see the colour red, so it's worth investing in a red shirt, and — if you can withstand the mockery of your friends — some red trousers. Don't, whatever you do, splash on aftershave or perfume.
What color is the Gullah's porch?
The soft blue often used on porch ceiling retains the ghostly name of haint blue, however, haint blue is not a specific color. The Gullah created a variety of blue shades using chalk and whatever other materials they had on hand.
What is a haint in the Gullah?
For the Gullah, a haint is a wandering spirit, a lost soul that might wish evil on the living. According to the Gullah/Geechee, a blue porch ceiling ...
What is the tradition of a blue porch ceiling?
Even for families who do not know the history of haint blue (and a blue porch ceiling in general), tradition is strong in the South. Many people grew up in houses with a blue porch ceiling and then went on to paint the ceilings of their own porches blue.
Why do people paint their porch ceilings blue?
Some people enjoy the soft colors of nature, while others do it because it reminds them of the houses of their childhoods.
What is MLM in Louisiana?
Whether you are looking to paint a blue porch ceiling or considering a total overhaul, MLM Incorporated is passionate about preserving the heritage and architectural beauty of historic homes in Louisiana. We specialize in historic renovations and can help you bring your historic house back to life.
What color are porch ceilings in Louisiana?
Driving down country roads and through historic districts in the South, you may have noticed a characteristic feature: blue porch ceilings. MLM Incorporated loves working on historic renovations, celebrating this type of tradition in southern Louisiana. Painting porch ceilings blue has a surprisingly historical background that has migrated steadily north and west.
Why paint a porch?
Other homeowners felt that the paint color helped to extend the last light of day, making the porch feel bright even once the sun had begun to set.
Why paint a blue porch ceiling?
It was believed the color tricked the intruding insects or birds into thinking they had actually reached the sky. According to an article from paint giant Sherwin Williams, most credible sources discredit this belief. However, it could be seated in historical truth.
What color is best for a porch?
Along with ensuring your porch doesn’t end up as a haven for bugs and birds, blue is a tranquil color. This peaceful hue is said to reduce stress and create a sense of calm and order. These attributes make it the perfect color for living the porch lifestyle.
Why are porches painted blue?
The origins of blue ceilings stemmed from the folklore of the Gullah people (a.k.a. Geechee). The Gullah culture believed that ghosts – known as “haints” (pronounced “haunts” in the Gullah dialect) – could not cross water. The blue was used to ward off evil spirits because the hue closely resembles that of water. Not only were the ceilings painted blue, the doors, window frames and shutters were often painted in the same haint blue shade as well.
What color is the Gullah tradition?
The Gullah tradition of painting porch ceilings haint blue lives on in Southern states today. Use your best judgment when it comes to your own home, though a soft blue is typical of this spiritual tradition. Follow these secrets of professional painters to make the job even easier.
Why are the porch ceilings painted blue?
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.
What is Melany Love's job?
Melany Love. Having always wanted a career in writing, Melany couldn't have found a better place than Taste of Home to begin. When she's not scribbling in her notebook or working at her computer, she can be found experimenting with new recipes or relaxing with a book and her cats. Newsletter Unit.
What color is a porch ceiling?
Well, if you’re looking for a color that has a unique history, listen up. The blue porch ceiling originated in the South, and hues usually range from a light blue to a greenish-blue. If you’re not familiar, let me explain what they’re all about.
Where did the blue porch ceiling originate?
The painted blue porch ceiling started in the American South around 200 years ago. The practice traces back to the Gullah Geechee, enslaved people living in the low country of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. Gullah folklore explains that ghosts, also referred to as “haints,” were not able to cross water.
What color is used on porch ceilings?
Then, choose from one of three main variants of blue, historically used on porch ceilings in different regions: Haint blue, popular in the South, can refer to any pale blue-green, such as Benjamin Moore’s “Palladian Blue.”. A light, airy sky blue like Sherwin Williams’ “Atmospheric” is prevalent on the East Coast.
Why do porch ceilings have blue paint?
The theory was that insects would mistake the blue ceiling for the sky and set up housekeeping elsewhere. The blue paint actually did thwart insects, but not by outsmarting them. Back then, paint was often mixed with lye, a natural insecticide, so any lye-based paint would have sent pests packing.
What is the color of a porch ceiling called?
To this day, a range of pale blue-green hues is collectively known as “haint blue.”. Blue porch ceilings also appeared in the Northwest (where the Aurora Colony, a Christian commune, was founded) as well as on East Coast Colonial and Victorian homes from Philadelphia to Boston.
How do I paint a porch ceiling?
Choose a mildew-resistant exterior primer-and-paint if painting a bare porch ceiling for the first time, repainting a previously painted surface the same color, or switching from a lighter to a darker hue. If your porch ceiling wood doesn’t bleed (i.e., give off tinted compounds called tannins), go with water-based paint. Opt for an oil-based paint for a ceiling made of metal (e.g., corrugated steel) or a type of wood that bleeds tannins (e.g., cedar) to prevent rust or bleed-through. Note that paint with a flat/matte sheen will minimize cracks and other imperfections.
What is the best roller cover for beadboard?
Choose the best paint roller cover and nap length for the job. Generally, synthetic roller covers (e.g., polyester, nylon) are better when working with water-based paint while natural fiber covers (e.g., wool, mohair) suit oil-based paint. Go with a roller cover nap length (the length of the fibers on the cover) of at least three-eighths of an inch. For beadboard ceilings (narrow slats with deep voids in between them), use a thicker half-inch or three-quarter-inch nap to get the paint into all the crevices.
Where did blue porch ceilings originate?
The tradition is rooted in Gullah culture. Blue porch ceilings first appeared at antebellum plantations of the early nineteenth century due to the tradition of the Gullah (a.k.a Geechee) people, enslaved African Americans in the coastal areas of Georgia and South Carolina.
Why are the ceilings painted blue?
Gullah folklore held that ghosts—known as “haints” (and pronounced “haunts”) in the Creole dialect—could not cross water, and because blue resembles water, ceilings were painted this color to repel evil spirits. For good measure, the Gullah also often painted doors, window frames, and shutters the same shade.
Why paint the porch ceiling haint blue?
The haints supposedly hate water and won't cross it. The Gullah Geechee answer is to paint the porch ceiling haint blue to ward off the haints.
What color is the porch ceiling in South Carolina?
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. Traditionally, there are many pale shades of blue-green that qualify as haint blue, but there’s only one place you’ll likely find it — on the ceilings of the porches of some Lowcountry homes.
What are the ghosts called in the Gullah and Geechee?
And those haint blue porch ceilings are no different. The Gullah and Geechee believe that malevolent, restless ghosts, called "haints" sneak into your home and cause all sorts of trouble.
