Pennsylvania Dutch Hex Signs
In Lancaster County even the barns are beautiful. Decorated with folk art, many Lancaster barns are adorned with hex signs – emblems of birds, flowers, and sometimes words. These signs are thought to bring good luck with different symbols bringing love, good fortune, and happiness. Hex signs are no longer just for barns and can be purchased in many of Lancaster’s stores. The Pennsylvania Dutch hex sign is a lovely form of folk art and surely worth bringing back home.
History of Hex Signs
In the 1700’s German immigrants traveled to America and settled in southeastern Pennsylvania bringing their culture, language, and art with them. These immigrants were the forefathers of the Pennsylvania Dutch. Some of these immigrants, such as the Amish and Mennonites, chose to live simple plain lives. However the ‘fancy’ migrants differed, wearing more elaborate clothing and decorating their barns with colorfully detailed hex signs. A popular design was a six-pointed star. Some claim that the ‘hex’ name came from the German word ‘sechs’ for six.
Symbolism of Pennsylvania Dutch Hex Signs
No one knows how the symbolism of hex signs arose but it is believed that different signs have different meanings. A heart signifies love, tulips are for faith, and birds are for luck and happiness. The birds are a popular theme for hex signs and are called distelfinks. Color too is supposed to have meaning. Blue is thought to bring protection, green is for abundance, and white is for purity.
Where to Find Hex Signs
A tour around Lancaster County is sure to turn up Pennsylvania Dutch hex signs. However, you can’t take a barn home with you. Here are a few places to pick up a hex sign in Lancaster County.
Zook’s Family Crafts: The Hex Place is located at 3056 US Route 30 East in Paradise, PA. Jacob Zook, an 11th generation Pennsylvania Dutch man, was the first to silk screen a hex sign and develop the technique. This technique is elaborate and time consuming, but the result is truly lovely.
Dutch Haven at 2857A Lincoln Highway E. in Ronks, PA offers a variety of Pennsylvania Dutch folk art including a section devoted to hex signs. Dutch Haven is also well known for their Shoo Fly pie.
If you can’t wait until you’re in Lancaster County, you can find Pennsylvania Dutch hex signs online. They can be purchased online at the above stores, or at stores such as Uncle Jacks Delight, where a variety of handcrafted signs are sold.
