"Haint" it Great?

What in the world is this gal talking about you ask? A Haint? Well, if you are not from the south, most likely you have never heard of this term. I do think you will find this topic to be quite interesting.

There is a lot of folklore associated with this term. It is believed to have started with the African slaves who were located in the southern lowlands of South Carolina, Georgia, and northern Florida. These people believed that evil spirits could enter homes by various means. 

It was believed that homes with the "haint" blue painted on doors, shutters, and porch ceilings would cause the evil spirits to not be able to enter. Aside from the evil spirit theory, this color of blue is also believed to keep pesky insects and birds from nesting in the porch ceilings. The sky-blue color is thought to deter the pests due to the fact that they think the blue is actually the open sky, thus deterring them.

Haint blue can be found in various hues. The colors are light blue and can vary. Most of the "haints" are subtle, barely-there tints. 

Despite the folklore, I love this southern tradition. The soft, blue ceilings just look inviting and relaxing. The color softens any exterior look.

The next time you are in the South, look up when you are on one of those gorgeous porches. When you see the beautiful blue, now you will know the tradition.

Haint it great?