hex sign
Pennsylvania Dutch decoration
A hex sign is a circular, brightly colored folk art design traditionally painted on barns in Pennsylvania Dutch country.
These geometric patterns feature stars, rosettes, and stylized motifs.
Some consider them decorative; others attribute protective or good-luck powers to them.
The "hex" comes from German *Hexe* (witch), though most hex signs are associated with blessing rather than cursing.
Circular ribbon ornament
- starLuminous astronomical object
- tulipBulbous spring flower
- heartCirculatory system's pump
- oak leafDeciduous hardwood foliage
pomegranate · wheat · sun wheel · tree of life · geometric · mandala · scallop · pinwheel
Protected person; division
- talismanMagical protective charm
- good luckFavorable chance or fortune
- blessingPrayer seeking divine favor
- safeguardPrecaution against harm
evil eye · folk magic · charm · fertility · prosperity · abundance · folk belief · superstition
English dynasty, fifteenth century
- barn starDecorative agricultural building emblem
- AmishTraditional simple-living sect
- MennoniteAnabaptist Christian denomination
- farmhouseDwelling on agricultural land
folk art · quilting · Reading · Susquehanna · heritage trail
Coated with pigment
- stencilCutout pattern for painting
- compassDevice showing cardinal directions
- brushworkPainter's stroke method
- pigmentColor-imparting material
woodwork · folk artist · hand-painted · weather-resistant · mounted · decorative · artisan · traditional design
rosette
Circular ribbon ornament
oak leaf · pomegranate · wheat · sun wheel · tree of life · geometric · mandala · scallop · pinwheel · border design
ward
Protected person; division
- talismanMagical protective charm
- good luckFavorable chance or fortune
- blessingPrayer seeking divine favor
safeguard · evil eye · folk magic · charm · fertility · prosperity · abundance · folk belief · superstition
Lancaster
English dynasty, fifteenth century
- barn starDecorative agricultural building emblem
- AmishTraditional simple-living sect
- MennoniteAnabaptist Christian denomination
farmhouse · folk art · quilting · Reading · Susquehanna · heritage trail
painted
Coated with pigment
- stencilCutout pattern for painting
- compassDevice showing cardinal directions
- brushworkPainter's stroke method
pigment · woodwork · folk artist · hand-painted · weather-resistant · mounted · decorative · artisan · traditional design · color symbolism
- Folk Americanared barn, quilt, weathervane, covered wagon, log cabin
- superstitionblack cat, broken mirror, Friday the 13th, walking under ladder, evil eye
- mystic symbolssigil, pentagram, glyph, rune, sigils
- occult toolswand, tarot cards, cauldron, crystal ball, grimoire
- protective charmsevil eye charm, protective charm, hamsa, hamsa hand, amulet
- talismansamulet, talisman, lucky charm, charm, fetish
hex signevil eye
Harm-dealing gaze, supposedly
curse · hex · abstract art · malediction