I have always been fascinated by the color "haint blue" which is seen mostly in the South painted on porch ceilings, doors, window frames and shudders.
The custom appears to have originated with slaves who believed that the color was a talisman against "haints" or "haunts"- mainly because it was the color of water and haints cannot cross water. They would apparently dig a hole in the ground and mix lime, milk, and whatever pigments they could find and paint the mixture around every opening into their homes. The haints, thinking it was water, are tricked into thinking they can’t enter.
"Haint Blue" isn't one specific color. It can vary from a pale pale light blue to a more deep turquoise or teal color. As long as it is on a porch ceiling or around a door or window, it can be considered Haint Blue.
There is also some folklore that says painting a porch ceiling haint blue keeps insects (wasps and such) from building their nests. Although this has not been scientifically proven, many in the South believe this. One theory is that the old mixtures, which usually contained lime, was a deterent for the insects.
That's it for Blue Monday. As always- if you come across something inspiringly blue- send it my way.
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