The Fascinating History Behind Haint Blue or Green

While catching up on my summer reading I stumbled across the mysterious and magical history of the colour range of Haint Blue & Green. These colours are meant to match the sky or sea and bring good luck to those who wear it. In the deep south, these colours are known for warding off Haints (evil spirits) when used to paint your home, doors, shutters or porch ceilings.

The book I fell in love with this summer was called Marriage of Opposites by Alice Hoffman. I was naturally drawn to this novel by my curiosity and it’s similarity to my own unique family history of Europeans raising families in the Caribbean. It brought back childhood memories of my grandfathers home in Maracaibo, Venezuela which featured inside walls covered in a shade of Haint green. I loved visiting this place and often wondered why so many houses in my mothers' homeland were painted in these wondrous colours.

This tradition of using Haint Blue or Green for luck is believed to originate from the Geechee/ Gulla culture, people brought from Africa as slaves to work on the plantations throughout the Caribbean, South America and southern United States.

What is a “Haint”?

Haints are thought to be restless spirits of the dead who have not moved on from the physical world. They exist in the space between our dimension and what is beyond. This type of spirit is not considered friendly so naturally you wouldn't want them lingering around and would feel the need to take measures to keep them away.

What does Haint Blue or Green do?

Shades of Haint in blue or green are meant to look like water or sky and keep the Haints (spirits) out of your home making you safe from their influence. Speculation has it that the tints, tones, and shades from the blue-green to blue-violet part of the visible spectrum trick Haints as they can’t cross water. Using Haint Blue or Green on doors, shutters, window trim, ceilings, or your whole house, can fool Haints and discourage them from “crossing” into your world. It is also believed Haint Blue or Green can trick insects and birds because it looks like endless sky and deters them from making themselves at home.

"The Savannah Historical Society reproduced and authorized the use of two haint blue paints in 1980. Haint Blue Light is almost a mint green. Haint Blue Dark is a mid tone teal. Haint blue is probably more of a culturally iconic hue that falls in the light blue to blue-green range rather than an actual, specific colour. Here are some colour chips that will give you an idea."

 

I searched high and low and managed to find the perfect shade of Haint Green. So if you love this colour pallet as much as I do and want to be extra lucky this season try my Limited Edition Haint Green Wrap Topguaranteed to never go out of style while keeping you safe from Haints and looking beautiful at the same time!! ~Diane