Hex Sign Patterns and Templates
The Pennsylvania Dutch are known for decorating their possessions with colorful designs. They decorated furniture, clocks, and birth certificates with symbols and motifs they were familiar with in Europe. Many of these motifs included birds, hearts, tulips and geometric designs that would imitate the stars, sun, and moon. During the mid 19th century, folk artists began transforming old geometric designs; they enlarged them and painted them on barns. These decorations were called hex signs in the 1920s. It appears that this name came from two events:
The first was a book by Wallace Nutting titled Pennsylvania Beautiful (1924), in which he raised the claim that barn signs were used to ward off evil.
The second was a witchcraft-related murder in York County, Pennsylvania, which drew attention from the news media, and introduced the word hex into American vocabulary.
Although the purpose of hex signs is debated, their motifs seem to have universal meanings: hearts represent love, tulips symbolize faith, and eagles suggest strength. Dan Yoder and Thomas E. Graves wrote a particularly good book titled Hex Signs: Pennsylvania Dutch Barn Symbols & Their Meaning.
How to setup and print a frakturdesign hex sign template using Adobe Illustrator
Common and Traditional PA Dutch Hex Sign Patterns and Templates
The hex sign patterns found below are all available as .jpgs and as scaleable vectors. I have included .eps files and sample color swatches for each pattern.
8 Point Star Hex Sign Pattern
This is a traditional 8 Point Star Hex Sign and is available for download.
The .eps file is scaleable, perfect for all projects. You may need to use specific software to open the .eps file. I recommend Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw.
Included template file types:
.eps
.jpg
.png
The Eight-Pointed Starburst Hex Sign, a cherished tradition, encompasses a multitude of symbolic meanings. Rooted in ancient lore, this design harkens back to diverse cultures, including the Egyptians, and has found its place on a myriad of objects such as barns, furniture, graves, and pottery.
At its core, the Eight-Pointed Starburst Hex Sign is imbued with notions of balance, protection, and guidance. Each of its eight points represents cardinal and ordinal directions, offering a compass-like quality that aids in finding one’s path through life’s journey. This celestial emblem also resonates with the sun, radiating its energy and light, while serving as a talisman against negative influences.
Encircled by a scalloped border, the Eight-Pointed Starburst Hex Sign emanates a powerful message of harmony and fortune. Its presence is believed to safeguard against malevolent forces and bring about prosperity, fostering a sense of well-being across various aspects of life. Through the ages, this enduring symbol continues to captivate hearts and inspire wonder, solidifying its place among cherished traditions.
Rosette Hex Sign Pattern
This is a traditional Rosette Hex Sign Pattern and is available for download.
The .eps file is scaleable, perfect for all projects. You may need to use specific software to open the .eps file. I recommend Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw.
Included template file types:
.eps
.jpg
.png
The Rosette Hex Sign is meant to promote good fortune and ward off malevolent forces, diseases, and pests. The rosette is one of the most ancient and fundamental designs in Western culture, dating back to the Egyptians, and can be found on a variety of objects such as buildings, furniture, graves, and pottery.
The most common design found in hex signs is the Six-Petal Rosette, which is often adorned with red hearts between blue, red, and gold petals to bring luck in love. Meanwhile, the 12-Point Rosette represents good fortune throughout the year. In these designs, the colors red and green are used to symbolize strength and life respectively.
Enclosed within a scalloped border, the Rosette conveys the message of “Good Luck in Life”. This symbol serves as a potent safeguard against malevolent forces and is believed to promote prosperity in one’s life. Overall, the Rosette Hex Sign is a time-honored tradition that continues to inspire awe and wonder.
Oak Leaf Hex Sign Pattern
This is a traditional 8 Point Star Hex Sign and is available for download.
The .eps file is scaleable, perfect for all projects. You may need to use specific software to open the .eps file. I recommend Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw.
Included template file types:
.eps
.jpg
.png
The Mighty Oak Hex Sign is a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch folk art symbol that has been used for centuries to represent strength, resilience, and wisdom. The oak tree is a powerful symbol of these qualities because of its long lifespan, its ability to withstand harsh weather conditions, and its deep roots that anchor it to the ground.
The Mighty Oak Hex Sign is typically depicted as a stylized oak tree with a circle of stylized leaves around it. The leaves are often painted in green, blue, and red, and the circle may be painted in black or gold. The sign is sometimes also adorned with acorns, which symbolize new beginnings and fertility.
The Mighty Oak Hex Sign is often hung on barns, houses, and other buildings to protect them from harm. It is also believed to bring good luck to those who live or work in buildings that are adorned with the sign.
The Meaning of the Mighty Oak Hex Sign
The Mighty Oak Hex Sign is a symbol of many things, including:
- Strength: The oak tree is a powerful symbol of strength because of its ability to withstand harsh weather conditions.
- Resilience: The oak tree is also a symbol of resilience because of its ability to grow and thrive in even the most challenging environments.
- Wisdom: The oak tree is a symbol of wisdom because of its long lifespan.
- Protection: The Mighty Oak Hex Sign is believed to protect homes and businesses from harm.
- Good luck: The Mighty Oak Hex Sign is also believed to bring good luck to those who live or work in buildings that are adorned with the sign.
Single Distelfink Hex Sign Pattern
Like the Double Distelfink, the Single Distelfink is a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch Hex Sign pattern and is easily made.
The .eps file is scaleable, perfect for all projects. You may need to use specific software to open the .eps file. I recommend Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw.
Included template file types:
.eps
.jpg
.png
The Distelfink Hex Sign, a treasured emblem in Pennsylvania Dutch folk art, embodies a rich tapestry of symbolism and tradition. Rooted in history, this design holds deep cultural significance, adorning barns, homes, and cherished objects.
The Distelfink, a stylized goldfinch, takes center stage in this captivating hex sign. Revered as a harbinger of joy and good fortune, the bird’s vibrant hues and graceful form evoke a sense of optimism and positivity. Its presence is believed to bring blessings, ward off misfortune, and beckon abundance into one’s life.
Surrounded by a delicate wreath or ornate border, the Distelfink Hex Sign communicates a message of prosperity and protection. Its intricate interplay of colors, often featuring bold reds, sunny yellows, and verdant greens, symbolizes vitality, passion, and growth. This harmonious palette creates an enchanting tableau, weaving together the threads of tradition and vitality.
Steeped in cultural heritage, the Distelfink Hex Sign serves as a cherished symbol of hope, renewal, and happiness. It captures the spirit of Pennsylvania Dutch folk art, infusing spaces with a sense of warmth and well-being. Whether painted on a barn or displayed within a home, this timeless emblem invites admiration and whispers the promise of good fortune, perpetuating a legacy of beauty and belief.
Bird of Paradise and Wilkum Hex Sign Pattern
One of the most iconic hex signs in the Bird of Paradise. The Bird of Paradise hex sign is a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch Hex Sign pattern and is easily made.
The .eps file is scaleable, perfect for all projects. You may need to use specific software to open the .eps file. I recommend Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw.
Included template file types:
.eps
.jpg
.png
Daddy Hex Hex Sign Pattern
The Daddy Hex Hex Sign is a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch Hex Sign pattern and is easily made.
The .eps file is scaleable, perfect for all projects. You may need to use specific software to open the .eps file. I recommend Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw.
Included template file types:
.eps
.jpg
.png
Double Distelfink Hex Sign Pattern
The Double Distelfink is a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch Hex Sign pattern and is easily made.
The .eps file is scaleable, perfect for all projects. You may need to use specific software to open the .eps file. I recommend Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw.
Included template file types:
.eps
.jpg
.png
The Double Distelfink Hex Sign, a captivating emblem within Pennsylvania Dutch folk art, weaves together a symphony of symbolism and tradition. Drawing upon the enduring significance of the Distelfink, this enchanting design elevates its auspicious qualities to new heights.
At the heart of this mesmerizing hex sign, two Distelfinks come together in a dance of joy and harmony. Mirroring each other’s vibrant colors and graceful forms, they symbolize the power of companionship, unity, and love. Their presence invokes a sense of double blessings, magnifying the flow of good fortune and happiness.
Embraced by an intricate wreath or an ornamental border, the Double Distelfink Hex Sign imparts a profound message of prosperity and protection. The vivid palette, often adorned with radiant reds, golden yellows, and verdant greens, represents vitality, passion, and growth. This harmonious interplay of colors weaves an enchanting tapestry, evoking feelings of abundance and vibrant energy.
Infused with the rich heritage of Pennsylvania Dutch culture, the Double Distelfink Hex Sign serves as an enduring symbol of hope, love, and blessings. Its presence radiates warmth and positivity, bringing a sense of joy and well-being to the spaces it adorns. Whether displayed on barns or cherished in homes, this timeless emblem invites admiration and bestows the promise of amplified good fortune, carrying forward a legacy of beauty and interconnectedness.
Double Trinity Tulips Hex Sign Pattern
The Double Trinity Tulips Hex Sign is a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch Hex Sign pattern and is easily made.
The .eps file is scaleable, perfect for all projects. You may need to use specific software to open the .eps file. I recommend Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw.
Included template file types:
.eps
.jpg
.png
Individual Components of Hex Sign Patterns and Templates
Flowers
I’ll update this later.
Birds
This is space for the birds.
Shapes
This is space for the shapes.
Words
This is space for the words.
