Hex Sign

By Crusader1307

The Hex Sign is a stylized form of Folk Art commonly found in The United State of Pennsylvania and most associated with Dutch origins. Dating to the early part of the 19th Century AD, these painted images are placed on Barns were Farm animals are routinely kept. The Hex Sign has a very real if not superstitious, reason for their placement. You see, The Hex Sign is supposed to ''ward off'' the threat of a Witch (in particular, The ''Milk Witch''. It was thought by the early settlers to The Region The Dutch, that the use of such painted symbols (known as ''Hexes'', which is related to The German word for ''Witch'') would keep such Persons from placing curses on Milk Cows. Should such an event happen, the animals milk would sour, making it undrinkable). Great artistic care was given to the painting of such images. Stars, Flowers and even images traced to Paganism are all incorporated into Hex Signs. They are placed over the primary Barn entrance (where it was thought the ''Evil'' would enter). Still used today, more out of tradition than superstition, Tourists to the Region often purchase smaller Hex Signs as souvenirs. Many also incorrectly note that The Amish People (an off-shoot Dutch Religious Culture) use The Signs. They see these as ''demonic''.