Patrick Donmoyer, author of the book "Hex Signs: Myth and Meaning in Pennsylvania Dutch Barn Stars," says the most common reason is for decoration. "I’ve found that many painted the signs ’chu ...

It also symbolizes smooth sailing and tranquility and is often found on colorful hex signs, a form of Pennsylvania Dutch folk art commonly found painted on barns in Berks County, where I was born.

The Pennsylvania Dutch influence on the Lehigh Valley shines through in any number of ways: the food, the festivals, the language. And at the culture's very soul are hex signs -- the brightly ...

Perhaps nothing symbolizes Pennsylvania Dutch culture more than the hex sign. Some believe hex signs were first added to barns as a kind of painted prayer, usually for blessings and as protection ...

If you’ve spent much time in the rural regions of central Pennsylvania, you’ve likely seen barns decorated with decorative, star-like symbols, or similar designs on decorative items sold at ...

It was in her late 20s when Rachel Yoder realized she didn’t know much about her heritage. She yearned to feel connected to her roots, and for Yoder, art was a natural way to do so. “It was my ...

Thus, most if not all Plain Dutch farmers do not do any decorating without searching their souls for a reason. Patrick Donmoyer’s illustrated survey of hex signs in our PA Dutch Country includes ...

Hex signs, more accurately called Schtanne (stars) or Blumme (flowers) in Pennsylvania Dutch, are circular paintings that pop up on many a southeastern Pennsylvania home, barn, or other building.

geometric designs painted on the sides of Pennsylvania Dutch barns that most people know as “hex signs.” Usually stars, pinwheels or rosettes, the folk-art symbols have decorated Berks County ...

Patrick Donmoyer, author of the book "Hex Signs: Myth and Meaning in Pennsylvania Dutch Barn Stars," says the most common reason is for decoration."I've found that many painted the signs 'chust ...

The story goes that hex signs are decorations created by the Pennsylvania Dutch to ward off bad luck, or to garner good fortune. But is their truth in that legend? Were artists invoking these ...