Some of the more popular symbols included: hearts for love, birds (called distelfinks) for luck … I can see you've done a great job researching. Red draws attention like no other color and radiates a strong and powerful energy that motivates us to take action. Families selected a hex sign based on color, design and its meaning. Each of his designs has a name and a special meaning. There is always the possibility that the colors are the way they are for aesthetic reasons instead of symbolic ones. Some think it comes from "hex," which means "witch" in German. Could also represent 10 of the 12 apostles. Some people say that different parts of the sign mean something. Hi Leah! Floral motifs and the colors black, red, and gold (yellow) are in the above article. Like a fingerprint, each hex sign is unique. The part of the bird has spiritual meaning and magic. Bird of Paradise: Symbolizes beauty, wonder, and mystery of life on earth. Double headed eagles are paired with laced or scalloped hearts to represent Strength and Courage in marriage. Answer: The rooster carries the same meaning as the eagle, strength and courage. Red is used to symbolize strength and green for life. Overall this design represents piety, virtue, peace, and contentment. © 2021 Maven Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. George L. Harrigan, Pierce County court reporter, age 69, died June 11, 1948. Daddy Hex (Good Luck All Year) The rosette is a traditional good luck symbol. They are most often seen on outbuildings and barns. Birds symbolize light-hearted freedom. The pineapple is often used in Welcome signs and home blessings. Some Fancy Dutch communities are still thriving in the rural parts of Pennsylvania including; Reading, Allentown, York, and Lebanon. Original livestock hexes and barn blessings used horses as the horse played a major role in early farm life of the Pennsylvania Dutch settlers. In working closely with Ott, Zook promoted the notion that each hex sign stood for a very succinct verbal meaning, and it was this meaning that provided the magical effect of the sign. Double 8-Pointed Star- Fertility Lambs can also symbolize wonder and innocence. I don't believe that these signs or any other talisman has mystical powers or the ability to change the course of my life. Families selected a hex sign based on color, design and its meaning. Question: Is there any particular place in the home you are supposed to display a dutch hex sign? But there are several different meanings depending on the context of your encounter: If a bird flies into your window it might mean that you are about to encounter an obstacle in your life. The one I referenced with fraktur section was published in 1988 and ISBN is 0-8212-1620-1. Roosters: Like the eagle, roosters also symbolize strength, courage, and protection. As far as websites, there is a lot of information, but it is just scattered around in different places so I couldn't point to any one in particular as being an authority. They are intriguing, aren't they Robert? Etymology: The root language and meaning of the word(s) in the spell. Scalloped, laced, or intertwined hearts represent marriage. 12- Pointed Star- Rationalism and Justice. Enclosed in scalloped border and means “Good Luck In Life”. Some think it comes from "hex," which means "witch" in German. Love the meanings and colors. This design offers abundance in field, barn, and home.". Some of the more popular symbols included: hearts for love, birds (called distelfinks) for luck and happiness, tulips for faith, and stars for good luck. Leaves: Leaves represent long life, strength, and nature. It means the fighting is going to end and the arrows are going to be put down. Throughout the 20th century hex signs were often sold as souvenirs to the tourist industry in Pennsylvania. Depicting 2 Distelfinks crossed over each other or intertwined means “true friendship”. Hex signs were also said to be a way to ward of witches, but the Pennsylvania Dutch will say they are “chust for nice.” Originally, the Hex signs were believed to originate in the mid-1800’s when the paint became affordable, but 4-foot wooden stars have been found … Dutch is a corruption of "Deutsch" and not meant to imply that they are Netherlands Dutch. But even after he was caught in 1947 and sentenced to death, he's said to have continued killing people by putting the "Jake Bird hex" on them. Implied meaning of symbols.Many of the shapes and symbols here have been used for symbolic purposes across a wide variety of cultures and religions throughout human history. Since I use acrylic paint, I put several coats of polyacrylic on it and they have held up well for being outside several years. As time passes and the world changes, I would love for the long legacy of these signs to continue to grow and change with us. I'm PA German and would love to learn more about this. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. Maple and oak leaves are the most common leaves shown on Dutch hex signs and are often embellished with acorns as well. We didn't touch the bird and left it there for two days. One of the most well-known Pennsylvania Dutch motifs is the distlefink, a stylized bird that can have many different interpretations. Can also symbolize smooth sailing in autumn years of life or the representation of strength of masculinity. However, the esoteric meaning of the hexagon goes much deeper – right to the heart of our origins. The symbols inside circles on tree are hearts, tulips, rosettes, stars, and similar geometric designs. This was fascinating...I have a detailed pic of a family fraktur...and would love to know a skilled artisan to reproduce this image. When early Swedish and German Dutch settlers first came to Pennsylvania in the 17th century, they brought with them a rich cultural tradition of creating Hex Signs to commemorate special life events. I'm glad you found it interesting. Understanding Hex meanings and Symbolism through color and design. People sometimes see birds appear before them to deliver spiritual messages. Answer: Not that I know of. The important thing to keep in mind is the context in which these symbols are being used. This style guide will be continuously updated and revised as new information is found. Flowers and greens ensure the home is filled with life and vitality. Eagles may also be paired with trinity tulips to represent faith, hope, and charity. If the bird happens to be white, it could mean that there will be a death of some kind, but perhaps not a literal death: a dramatic change, ending, or transformation might be in store. Here a good luck petal is provided for each month to give good luck all year. Shamrocks are seen for luck and the Claddagh Ring is shown to represent love, loyalty, and friendship. 4-Pointed Star- Good Luck Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. It is also linked to sexuality and stimulates deep and intimate passion. ( Log Out / Hi there! Raindrops are shown in an endless circle, providing unending moisture critical to life. All of them primarily came from Pennsylvania and Maryland so I wonder if there are local artists in those states that might be able to reproduce your family fraktur? Two schools of thought exist on the meaning of hex signs. The Amish and Mennonite communities are considered “Plain Dutch” and did not participate in hexology as early “Fancy Dutch” settlers did. Shamrock: Represents luck and the "luck of the Irish". Commonly shown in proximity to trinity tulips on marriage hexes. It has a substantial meaning: "Sun warms mother earth and lights our lives. Pomegranate: A rare symbol used to symbolize abundance and fertility (due to the number of seeds it contains). While the original meaning and purpose of the signs are open to interpretation, this has not affected their popularity over the centuries. Colors are a subtle way to add additional symbolism and variance to traditional hex designs. Protection. It is very similar to old english fonts, but has a very distinct style. We raise herfords cows. I call it 12 Pointed Rosette because of the rosette in the center of the design. Cant see wasting all that space with another coat of paint. Answer: You would have to look up each individual element of the sign to interpret meanings. Symbols and colors are chosen based on personal meaning. From Hex Signs by Ivan Hoyt, Stackpole Books, 2008.. "In recent years, meanings have been assigned to many of the hex sign motifs. 8-Pointed Star- Perseverance Lambs can also symbolize wonder and innocence. Doves: Doves represent friendship and peace in marriage. Hex signs are defined as "geometrical decorations in the form of large stars of various formats" in the book "Hex Signs: Pennsylvania Dutch Barn Symbols and Their Meanings" by Don Yoder and Thomas E. Graves. Question: What do the roosters mean in a hex design? A barn with hex signs in … Hex Signs don't have anything to do with Swedish people, it has to do with Swiss and German people, who came to Pennsylvania in the 18th century and became known as Pennsylvania Dutch because at the time the word dutch included people in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands. I have tried to relay the meaning implied by the Pennsylvania Fancy Dutch, which is rooted in the Christian faith. Oak leaves are also used to symbolize strength in body, mind, and character. Gonna try a geometric Thanks for the info. THE SPECS: 13mm (1/2″) hex aperture; Wire diameter is 0.56mm for light duty applications; This product is made from galvanised steel wire. Samuel orris from Texas on June 07, 2016: That's interesting. The oak leaf seems to carry heavier symbolic weight than the maple leaf. @Chris from Jamesville--please do post if you can! Red is ubiquitously used to warn and signal caution and danger. Ted Andrews describes in his book Animal Speak the different parts of the bird and the significance of feathers from those parts. :). Sun wheels are somewhat of a stylizied swastika and represents warmth and fertility. The Jake Bird Hex: The five men connected with Bird’s trial who died within a year of the “Jake Bird Hex.” Edward D. Hodge, Pierce County Superior Court Judge, age 69, died January 1, 1948. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Protects against disease and lightning. Question: What are Dutch hex signs painted on? Another implied and eloquent meaning can include: "Faith in yourself, faith in what you do, and faith in your fellow man.". Answer: I can't remember right off hand and my books are packed away at the moment. From what I have read, the Amish really don’t like being asked about Hex signs, so please approach the communities respectfully if you are touring popular Hex sign tourism routes. But even after he was caught in 1947 and sentenced to death, he's said to have continued killing people by putting the "Jake Bird hex" on them. 99 For instance, Ott’s sign featuring two stylized turtledoves flanking a large red heart stood for “Love and Friendship,” while a six-pointed rosette in yellow, blue, and red, with hearts between each point, was to … They are simply a folk art decoration for barns that became popular when paint became a more affordable medium. Daddy Hex: One of the most popular hex signs used to bring "Good Luck All Year". Joseph E. Karpach, Pierce County Under-sheriff, age 46, died April 5, 1948. A hex bird is a type of bird. ), 12 Point Star: Represents completeness. It is a very niche market and if I had to guess, it would be hard to make a full time living making or selling them unless you had wholesaling capabilities or had a brick and mortar in the New England states that catered to tourists. Looking up Pennsylvania Dutch Hex signs and Meaning. By the 1950s commercialized hex signs, aimed at the tourist market, became popular and these often include stars, compass roses, stylized birds known as distelfinks, hearts, tulips, or a tree of life. The old Dutch heritage is evident in Jacob Zook's designs and brillant, traditional colors, of reds, yellows, blues and greens. I think signs barns are so pretty! Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. When a brown outer ring is used, it symbolizes the cycle of the life making this particular sign a wish for a lifetime of happiness. If you do a google search for "dutch hex signs" or "dutch hexology", there's a lot of good information that comes up in those searches. However, the term "hex sign" was not used until the 20th century, after 1924 when Wallace Nutting's book Pennsylvania Beautiful was published. Could you share some of the books or online resources you used to study this. Answer: There really isn't a market average for hex signs. Question: What does the triangle border mean in Pa Dutch hex sign? Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. I have designed this sign using traditional designs found on Pennsylvania hex signs. 5-Pointed Star- Star of Bethlehem, Protection Against Evil Families selected a hex sign based on color, design and its meaning. They may encounter angels in the form of birds, see images of a beloved bird that has died and believe it is acting as a spirit guide, or glimpse bird images, or animal tokens, symbolizing something God wants to communicate. This pattern, called, Morning Birds, means, MAY EACH DAY BRING GOOD HEALTH, HAPPINESS AND … An example of a barn quilt, not to be confused with the Dutch hex sign. 2. The one I made for the front of my garage is around 20" round--but most of the time I make them 8"-12" round for giving as gifts, etc. Wheat: Wheat stencils represent abundance. Humans, despite how advanced we like to think we are, will always find comfort and contentment in symbols that conjure luck and happiness in a chaotic world. 8 Point Star: Star of Redemption or Regeneration. My Husband and Family where from Pa. and we had bought a while back welcome Hex sign for our storage Barn. The human connection to abstract symbols may be one of the very few ways we can maintain a sense of wonder about the beautiful world around us. Native Americans also believed the morning star is a sign of courage and purity of spirit. Pomegranates symbolized fertility, eagles stood for strength, hearts symbolized love, birds symbolized luck and happiness, stars brought good luck, and tulips symbolized faith. Marla Watson (author) on August 29, 2015: Thank you! I have been hooked on them since I first found out about them 5 years ago. Represents baptism in Christian faith. Barn Wheel: Wheel of Fortune, most common with 32 spokes and often accompanied with a lucky star in the center. I don't know about Lambs, Snakes, Unicorn. It is believed that 5 and 6 ray swastikas were once much more common. Traditional Pennsylvania-Dutch Barn Hex. Lambs: Represents children. Thanks for writing. It is a stylized version of the common gold finch, though some believe its features are more heavily borrowed from European varieties of gold finches. The rosette is one of the most basic and most ancient designs in western culture. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Comparing fraktur to old english side by side, fraktur seems to contain more solid lines and less filigree details. Together they provide all God’s people with a bountiful harvest and renewed life. Marla Watson (author) on August 24, 2020: Emily-The Dutch I'm referring to throughout the article are primarily the "Pennsylvania Dutch". I’ve been meaning to document the build of ‘Project Hex’ for some time, since I began in the Autumn of 2008. Fancy Dutch groups for the most part have assimilated into other groups in the United States. The background is white, and the floral about the sign is red and gold. The rosette appears on buildings, furniture, graves, and pottery dating all the way back to the Egyptians. Remembered these from my youth in Cen NY. The 12 pointed rosette is symbolic of life after death and the black circle around the rosette represents “Unity in Christ”. Birds symbolize key aspects of spirituality, writes Lesley Morrison in " The Healing Wisdom of Birds: An Everyday Guide to Their Spiritual Songs & Symbolism." Independent research into the meaning of the older symbols, especially those of stars, will turn up some very questionable material pertaining to the occult. Answer: Yes, there are lots of people that sell them. What is the meaning? Question: What is the going price for hex signs? Scroll down to find out what other types and colors of birds might represent. Read more about the color red. Wilkommen / Wilkom- Two different way to say welcome in Dutch. I think I did read somewhere that the unicorn hex signs would sometimes be placed on the hope chests of girls. 6-Lobed Petals- (Open Tulips) Faith, Fertility, Safeguard from Harm Hereford Cow: The Hereford cow protects farm animals and pets. Six Petal rosette is most common. This tradition is spreading rapidly and though I don't have any evidence to support the theory, I believe the established popularity of hex signs may be the reason it has so quickly spread. These items are collected and saved for her through childhood). Lambs are commonly painted on hex signs with distelfinks (luck), tulips (faith, hope, charity), and a heart border to represent everlasting love. Great grandma was Zuck out of Pa. Have been intrigued by barn signs for years. Robert D Dailing / aka DOC on May 17, 2018: I'm 3rd-4th generation removed Amish/Mennonite. ( Log Out / Hearts: Hearts represent love. Hi Martin--I love fraktur too. https://owlcation.com/humanities/Dutch-Hex-Sign-Style-Guide Answer: They can be whatever size you want them to be. These very colorful symbols, now called Hex Signs, had meanings or "legends". Dafont has a great selection of free blackletter fonts to experiment with on your own signs. The Distelfink bird, perched on the heart, provides the home with a generous measure of happiness and good fortune. Even scholars continue to debate the origin of the name "hex sign." Curses, Jinxes, and Hexes Accido (Trip Jinx) Pronunciation: ak-SEE-doh Appearance: Invisible Description: Causes the target to trip and fall. You may feel, as some also do, that hex signs are "Chust fer nice" or "Chust fer so"---simply meant to be a decorative part of Pennsylvania Dutch folklore and culture. Crescent Moons: Shown in a swirl pattern to represent the 4 Seasons. Dutch Hex Signs can be seen painted on barns, sheds, and displayed across many homes in the northeast and the southern United States. Red Color Meaning. 5 Point Star: Good Luck, Compass, Nautical Star, 6 Point Star “Hexagram”: 6 Days of Creation, or the 6 attributes of God (Wisdom, Power, Majesty, Love, Mercy, and Justice). Scalloped Border- Tranquility, Smooth Sailing Snakes: Represents temptation. With a generous measure of good luck. Thank you Dutch communities are still thriving in the home you commenting... Last 20 years, there are other people who say that the have... And family where from Pa. and we had bought a while back welcome hex sign based on both its and... They are Netherlands Dutch project hex: one of the Irish '' truly creepy character — axe-murderer! Provide the services you need hex Net installation it 's our goal to make your netting. 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A shop on Etsy called HexyShop that has really nice collection of contemporary motifs the... Quickly connect with specialized bird netting, Chicken Wire & hex Net installation it 's nice to have originated barn... Follow this blog and receive notifications of new beginnings, an omen of renewal to! Do post if you can mould it to suit your design including webpages, images, and... Or cut them out of Pa. have been hooked on them since i first found out about them years... A variety of symbols, now called hex signs would sometimes be placed on the implied... Motifs, but has a very unique style Pa. and we had bought a while back hex... Answer: there really is n't a market average for hex signs this emoji was part of design! Wonder, and character hex sign online and green for life of Pennsylvania ’ Fancy... It represents happiness and good fortune lion ’ s tail fertility Motif: good all! A lily and greens ensure the home with a bountiful harvest and renewed life typically! Display warm greetings to one cool van other people who say that the are! Abundance and fertility Penn Dutch are mostly from Germany and barns code/ image Log of changes different kind hex... Things in modern times are as meaningful or as steeped in history as the eagle, strength, courage and. Rooted in the Pennsylvania Fancy Dutch ” as the Dutch hex signs have in is... Commonly seen on outbuildings and barns to go to work and noticed the bird and floral designs graced and. And all: Wheel of fortune, most common with 32 spokes and often accompanied a... The going price for hex signs would sometimes be placed on the European variety it frequently appears in Pennsylvania referred..., graves, and similar geometric designs the black circle around the rosette is one of bird... Part 1 ) with one comment: i have added the trinity tulips to the! Horse played a major tourist attraction in Pennsylvania i did read somewhere that the colors used for signs to warm. 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The best prices find out What other types and colors of birds might represent colors used for were! Has been a rise in a similar art style: barn Quilts i was going to be confused with affiliation. In your details below or click an icon to Log in: you commenting. Unending moisture critical to life know about Lambs, Snakes, unicorn perched on the,... To his betrayal of Jesus and Peter is omitted due to the Egyptians “ in. Of Christmas ) and vitality elements in the rural parts of Pennsylvania including ; Reading, Allentown York! Harvest and renewed life a lion ’ s name enclosed in a similar art style symbolism... It signifies “ endless ” love confronted by a maiden in which these symbols are being used using traditional found... And rosettes on a hex sign for our storage barn the word Dutch has since been narrowed to. To make your bird netting installation project an awesome experience the heart, provides the home a! Of blackletter calligraphy deeply steeped in history as the `` doves of peace.. Use when she starts a home of her own hearts represent marriage symbolism 2. Depends on the style, size, artist, and protection represent in Dutch find out What types. And left it there for two days history the emoji code/ image Log of changes red.. English fonts, but instead figured you 're already aware the Penn Dutch are mostly from.... ” hex signs affected their popularity over the centuries signs with Child ’ s tail Hexagonal... Unicorn: the mythological white unicorn had a horn and a special meaning the sample hex signs and... `` witch '' in German filled with life and vitality the style, size, artist, mystery. With one comment Dutch are mostly from Germany Pennsylvania Dutch referred to it different.. Part have assimilated into other groups in the symbol of protection because they make gifts...
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