A blue porch ceiling resembles water, and prevents “haints” from harassing the people in the house. So, the tradition of painting a blue porch ceiling can be directly traced back to the Gullah
Gullah
The Gullah are African Americans who live in the Lowcountry region of the U.S. states of Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina, in both the coastal plain and the Sea Islands. They developed a creole language, the Gullah language, and a culture rich in African influences that makes them distinctive a…
Why do so many Southern porches have blue ceilings?
You won’t just find homes in the South with blue porches. To add a touch of nature to their houses, people paint their porch ceilings blue as a way liven it up with the color of the sky. It’s said to stretch daylight out once the sun begins to set.
Why do we paint our porch ceilings haint blue?
- 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.
- A vibrant aurora blue, a la BEHR’s “Cosmic Cobalt,” is more common in the Northwest.
Do blue porch ceilings keep bugs away?
Well, it's called "haint blue" and may repel more than just insects, thus the name. T he South Carolina Low Country, blue paint has been used on porch ceilings and s ome say this color blue extends daylight at dusk and helps keep bees, wasps and other insects away. It seems to be a spiritual and cultural custom in the South.
What does blue porch ceiling mean?
What does a blue ceiling on a porch mean? 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.
Why are old porches 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.
Why are farmhouse porch ceilings blue?
Extending Daylight Hours While blue paint on a porch ceiling can't literally extend the amount of daylight you get, it can provide that feeling. The light blue color reflects light, so your space will seem brighter even during the twilight hours.
Why are Victorian porch ceilings painted 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.
Do blue porch ceilings 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.
Is haint blue offensive?
"What it is, is that it is a misrepresentation," said Quet about the term haint blue. "It came from Anglo people that started calling it haint ... because they didn't understand the spiritual part of it. So when we hear that, it is offensive to our people and tradition."
Why do Southerners paint their porch ceilings 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 the 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?
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 is the meaning of blue porch lights?
Blue porch light To advance autism awareness, Autism Speaks started a campaign known as Light It Up Blue. The organization adopted blue as its official color and encouraged people to turn their porches blue to show support.
Do spiders hate 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.
Do wasps avoid blue ceilings?
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 shade of blue is haint blue?
light blueThere's not one specific haint blue color but it's always a pretty shade of light blue.
What is the 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 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.
What is the meaning of blue porch lights?
Blue porch light To advance autism awareness, Autism Speaks started a campaign known as Light It Up Blue. The organization adopted blue as its official color and encouraged people to turn their porches blue to show support.
What color blue is used on porch ceilings?
The shade of blue used on many southern ceilings is often called “haint blue”. This light blue-green color is especially popular in southern coastal cities like Charleston, SC or Savannah, GA because of the historically haunted nature of these cities.
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.
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 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.
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 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 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.
What color is best for a porch?
Pale blue: Brings out white trim without being overwhelming or bright. Grey-blue: This shade can really change, depending on the light and time of day. Periwinkle: A playful, lively tone that also changes depending on the light. Midnight blue: This deep shade can make your porch ceiling seem to disappear.
What is the predominant color of haint blue?
The resulting shade of haint blue was usually a soft blue-green. For homes on the east coast, the predominant shade is a light, wispy sky blue. The Northwest favors more vivid blues. Traditionally, Southern blues range from a soft powdery tone to richer blue-green shades. Consider the following colors to start with:
Why is the ceiling blue?
Finally, the blue color was also thought to trick wasps, mosquitos, and other insects into thinking the ceiling was the sky. This had the effect (hopefully!) of discouraging them from congregating around seating areas.
How to paint wood in the South?
1. Choose the best paint (and rollers) In the South, mildew-resistant paint is crucial. Use a paint-and-primer combo to ensure even coverage. Water-based paint works well for most wood applications, but if you are applying on metal go with oil-based paints.
Where are blue porch ceilings found?
Since this tradition originated in the South, it makes sense that it is still most prevalent there. However, blue porch ceilings can be found in the Northwest and adorning traditional Victorian and Colonial homes on ...
What color is the porch ceiling?
Porch ceilings in the American South (and parts of the Northeast) are almost always painted blue — whether the rest of the home's exterior is white, yellow, pink or any other color of the rainbow. It's no coincidence. It's not a trick of the light ... but it is a trick. Kimberly Ciocon.
Why is blue paint used in home decor?
See the new app that makes choosing colors for your home a snap. And there's one more perk: Blue paint is believed to keep bugs and birds from nesting. While some think this is due to the heavy doses of lye that used to be in the paint supply, there's a psychological argument, too.
What color is Benjamin Moore's porch ceiling?
These are the most popular porch ceiling hues among Benjamin Moore customers. Benjamin Moore. Even if you don't believe in ghosts, a blue ceiling adds plenty of benefits from a design perspective. "A blue sky is an optimistic thing to look at.
What does the blue represent in folklore?
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).".
Is it "haint blue" or "haint blue"?
"It's permeated into porch design.". In fact, the pale blue-green tint is now known in design circles as "haint blue.".
Can insects nest in the ceiling?
"If an insect perceives that a ceiling is really the sky, it instinctively wouldn’t nest there ," said O'Neill. "It depends how deep you want to go into the brain of an insect ... but it's not unlike how ladybugs will land on a white house. It's a visual trick."
Blue Porch Ceilings – The Origins
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.
Is it true they also help to keep bugs away?
Sky blue paint might actually fool insects as well. Many people theorize that porches painted a soft blue will trick wasps and other insects into thinking it’s the sky, taking their nests elsewhere. We’ve just recently repainted our porch ceiling a new shade of blue.
Choosing your blue ceiling color
Whether you choose a ‘Haint Blue’ or another blue, it’s always a personal decision. Choose a color that works with your decor. This blog written by Apartment Therapy has links to some popular blue paint selections. For our porch ceiling, I chose Behr M-480-3 Bengal Blue.
Ever wondered why some porches have painted blue ceilings?
If you've ever been to one of the older Southern cities in the United States, especially around coastal areas like Savannah, Georgia or Charleston, South Carolina, you may have seen some houses with painted blue ceilings on their porch. While it also looks pretty, this blue is specifically called "haint" blue, and served a specific purpose.
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Why are porch ceilings painted blue?
There are many theories about why porch ceilings are painted blue. One held theory is that it is traditional. In the south many parents and grandparents painted the ceiling blue, so their offspring do the same. Others believe it extends the daylight hours by having a blue sky on the ceiling of the porch, even as the outside sky is growing dark.
Why do people paint their porch 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. Throughout the U.S., porches are often a favorite place while the weather is nice to sit and watch time and life go by. When sitting on the porch, it can seem as though life has taken on a slower pace—and the color blue helps with that.
What is the blue ceiling of the Gullah?
Some of the earlier theories involve evil spirits and the Gullah folklore that ghosts or haints would not cross water, which the blue ceiling resembles. According to the Urbandictionary, haint is a southern colloquialism, defined as ghost, apparition, or lost soul.
Where is the blue ceiling?
This blue porch ceilings is on a contemporary farmhouse in Easton, CT. What started out as a Southern tradition, blue porch ceilings have become a trend across the country. “Haint” blue is a pale shade of blue that is traditionally used because of old beliefs. Today, a variety of blue shades are used for porch ceilings, including aqua, periwinkle, ...
What color is used on shutters?
To protect the house these green-blue colors were also used on window frames, shutters, with the paint color determined to be haint blue. As it became a tradition in the Southern, it was kept up there and in other places.