Hex sign

File:Irish hex sign.jpg

A less common hex sign called an Irish hex sign.

A hex sign is a type of folk art common in areas of Pennsylvania which saw heavy German immigration. Frakturs, highly stylized documents predominantly taking the form of personal family records, are believed to be the immediate predecessor of hex signs, adapted by German populations living in Pennsylvania commonly known as Pennsylvania Dutch. Hex signs are highly stylized and highly geometric. Although individual designers often take liberties with it, there is a general pattern embracing a six sided figure within a circle.

While true hex signs, in all likelihood, were displayed only for aesthetic purposes or to emphasize the rich heritage of their creators' home country, they have been imbued both by Pennsylvania residents and visiting tourists, with mystical, almost magical powers and some see them as a useful tool for warding off evil spirits, lightning, and various other negative circumstances.

Still, there is little evidence to support the idea that the hex signs which appear frequently on nineteenth and early twentieth century farms were put there for any reason other than a purely aesthetic, ethnically oriented ones. Because a great deal of myth surrounds hex signage, one must be careful to sift through legend and understand the facts. And yet, like many spiritual tokens, hex signs remain an important part of modern Pennsylvania Dutch culture.

Etymology

There are two opposing schools of belief regarding the derivation of the name. Those that support the occult nature of the signs assert that the term "hex" derives from the Pennsylvanian German word, Hex (German Hexe), meaning "witch." By contrast, supporters of the folk-art theory point out that the most popular hex signs were six-sided, brightly colored geometric designs, termed hexagram, from the Greek root hex-, meaning "six."

History

While hex signs themselves have no mystical meaning, the various European folk art that inspired them may. Painting or mounting "hexing signs" dates back to the pre-Christian era in Europe, when symbols and designs derived from or pertaining to the runes first appeared on buildings to invoke magical powers, either to hex or bring about good fortune. Over time, the practice took on several new meanings, especially as the number of those recognizing the old Germanic pagan religions declined; for some, the practice came to be about art and tradition; for others, the sign-creating was less-ritualistic, but still about "good luck," especially for those concerned with good fortune in crop cultivation.

Like many kinds of post-colonial American folk art, hex signs find their origins in Europe, specifically the Rhine region of Germany, from where people emigrated to settle in southeastern Pennsylvania. These immigrants, over time, came to be known as the "Pennsylvania Dutch."

Fraktur

A 1788 example of a baptismal certificate Fraktur, a pre-cursor to the Hex Sign.

The Pennsylvania Dutch used a document called a Fraktur to keep track of family histories and personal documents. Frakturs are seen by many as a kind of forefather to hex signs, which became simpler and more artistic, displaying common concepts rather than specific information. Most Fraktur were created between 1740 and 1860.

Fraktur drawings were executed in ink and/or watercolors and are found in a wide variety of forms: the Vorschriften (writing samples), the Taufscheine (birth and baptismal certificates), marriage and house blessings, book plates, and floral and figurative scenes. The earlier Fraktur were executed entirely by hand, while printed text became increasingly common in later examples. Common artistic motifs in Fraktur include birds, hearts, and tulips. Some fonts that are included in frakturs are the different variants of calligraphy especially itallic and old english calligraphy.

Hex signs on barns

Hex signs began appearing on farms and houses in Pennsylvania during the latter half of the nineteenth century, perhaps because of the relative rarity of a painted barn before 1830. Recent scholarship suggests that hex signs developed as a kind of "ethnic symbolism." That is, Dutch Pennsylvanians, proud of their heritage and culture, wanted to prominently display something unique to their heritage. They were used in this limited scope until the early twentieth century, when their popularity grew, in the 1930s and 1940s, because of advances in silk screening and printing that made them easier to mass produce. These mass produced hex signs could be purchased separately and hung on farms or houses, and curious tourists became even more interested.

Typical hex sign on a barn.

Hex signs then began to appear on items created or sold through Pennsylvania, almost as a logo as they became synonymous with Dutch Pennsylvania, so that consumers would know who had created the products.

Form and use

Today, artfully painted octagonal or hexagonal star-like patterns are a well-known sight on Pennsylvania Dutch barns, especially in Berks County and Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. However, the modern decoration of barns is a late development in Pennsylvania Dutch folk art. Prior to the 1830s, the cost of paint meant that most barns went unpainted. As paint became affordable, the Pennsylvania Dutch began to decorate their barns much like they decorated items in their homes. Barn decorating reached its peak in the early twentieth century, at which time there were many artists who specialized in barn decorating. Drawing from a large repertoire of folk designs, barn painters combined many elements in their decorations. The geometric patterns of quilts can easily be seen in the patterns of many hex signs. Hearts and tulips seen on barns are commonly found on elaborately lettered and decorated birth, baptism, and marriage certificates known as Fraktur.

In the twentieth century, mobile signs were produced as commodities. These signs could be bought and then mounted onto barns. Jacob Zook of Paradise, Pennsylvania, claimed to have originated the modern mountable sign in 1942, based on traditional designs, to be sold in the family souvenir store to tourists along the Lincoln Highway.

Some view the designs as decorative symbols of ethnic identification, possibly originating in reaction to nineteenth century attempts made by the government to suppress the Pennsylvania Dutch language.

Common types of hex signs

There are many different hex sign designs. Some of the most common are listed below; however, the number of different hex signs is limited only by human creativity. As is common with hex signs, all of them feature much of the same imagery as well as the same attention to geometric designs.

Wilkhommen

File:Family welcome.jpg

Hex sign displaying the Wilkhommen design.

Typically consists of a large red heart in the middle and paired tulips around the edges. The heart represents a loving home, while the tulips represent the importance of friends, family, neighbors, and community. Often a bird is placed over the heart, in effect, watching over the home and bringing it good luck. Typically, the Wilkhommen design is one of good feelings, conveys a happy home and a strong community.

Eight pointed star

File:Tulip star hex.jpg

Hex sign with a tulip star pattern.

This design, generally one of the more familiar and popular, features a star, typically blue, with eight points, laid out symmetrically. Red tulips and sheaves of wheat are placed between the star's points, in an alternating pattern. The tulips symbolize faith in humanity and trust, while the star and the wheat represent abundance and goodwill. There is also a smaller eight pointed star in the center of the design.

Home Wilkum

File:Wilkumm hex sign.jpg

Hex sign with a Wilkum design.

The Dutch word "Wilkum" is written in stylized letters on the bottom of the sign, extending a warm welcome to all. Stylized German birds, specifically distelfink birds, flank the letters on either side, with a star near the top, along with some greenery near the bottom. The birds represent happiness and good fortune for all, while the star and grass represent good luck.

Tree of life

File:Tree of life.jpg

A Tree of life hex sign.

The tree of life design is one of the more unusual hex signs, presenting a large, stylized tree with fruit; the fruit is printed using more typical hex sign designs, such as an eight pointed star, tulip, and a heart, among others. The tree is a symbol for God's plentiful fruit. There is a circle surrounding the hex sign, which represents through its uninterrupted nature, everlasting life. The general theme of the Tree of life is "love and happiness for all."

Controversies

Anabaptist sects (like the Amish and Mennonites) in the region have a negative view of hex signs. Thus, it is not surprising that hex signs are never seen on an Amish or Mennonite household or farm. In fact, it is a common misperception that hex signs are related in any way to Amish culture. Typically, Amish vehemently disassociate themselves from hex signs.

There is also a good deal of debate as to the use and intentions of hex signs. There is very little evidence, however, to support the idea that hex signs were created with mystical or magical purposes in mind. Yet, the "hexing designs" in pre-Christian Europe intended to ward off lightning, fire, and other natural elements, make it a difficult claim to completely dismiss. Modern mystics typically not the Pennsylvania Dutch that first designed them, see the hex sign as both an amulet and a talisman and use them for magical purposes.

Most modern scholars reject such mystical claims and see hex signs only as highly stylized folk art, which, in their eyes, does little to diminish their value or beauty. Hex signs are also useful as a tool for understanding the culture of some of the first settlers to Pennsylvania.

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

• Graves, Thomas E. The Pennsylvania German Hex Sign: A Study in Folk Process. Unpublished Ph.D. dissertation in Folklore & Folklife, Univ. of PA, 1984.
• Hoyt, Ivan E. Hex Signs: Tips, Tools, and Techniques for Learning the Craft. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2008.
• Yoder, Don, and Thomas E. Graves. Hex Signs: Pennsylvania Dutch Barn Symbols and Their Meaning, 2nd edition. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole, 2000.

External links

All links retrieved June 24, 2008.

• Berks County Hex Sign Barn Tour
• Hex Sign Themes
• About hex signs from a "hexmeister"
• About Hex Signs
• Pennsylvania Dutch Hex Signs: Their Symbolism and Meanings
• Collection Of Informative Links To PA Dutch Hex Sign History & Meanings

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