Custom Hand-Painted Hex Signs
by artist, Carol Hartmann Champeau

Hex Signs — They're Wonderfull Good!

Originally, Pennsylvania German symbols called "sechs" signs were six pointed rosettes. The word "sechs" means six in German. It is possible that the word "hex" sign may have evolved from a mispronounciation of the word "sechs." These extremely colorful circle signs often have geometric designs and feature imaginative art forms such as doves, lilies, hearts and tulips. Today's Hex Signs are used "Chust fer nice."

The "Dutch" hex signs began as barn signs expressing a deep faith in God and fellow man. Hex sign symbols and their meanings are

Rosette and star - good luck
Tulips and other flowers - faith, hope and charity
Birds (distlefinks) - good luck, or good fortune
Hearts - love in marriage and love of fellow man
Scalloped borders - smooth sailing in life

Other designs may be used for specific purposes such as rain signs, love signs, fertility signs, friendship signs, peace signs, etc.

The most common colors used are red, yellow, green and blue, all thought to have powers to ward off sickness and spells. Meanings of colors generally used are

Red - love, emotion, life
Green - growing things, luck, happiness
Yellow - divinity, life, sun, gentility
Blue - Heaven, truth, beauty
Brown - harvest, humility, pleasure
White - purity, joy, everlasting life
Violet - dignity, power, pride