Blue lights on porches, historically, have been a way for homeowners to honor and support law enforcement. The movement traces its roots back to 1989, when Dolly Craig chose to light up her window with a blue bulb, remembering her son-in-law, an officer tragically lost in the line of duty.
Blue symbolizes Autism Month and Police respect. Shining a blue light is a nationwide recognition of the Police Officers who have died in the line of duty. This is also known as, Project Blue Light. Check out our Light It Up Blue for Autism Month blog to learn more about how you can support those with Autism.
Different colors of the rainbow are used in porch lights for various reasons like green lights symbolizing the return of an honorably discharged U.S. veteran and purple lights bringing awareness to instances of domestic violence. Red porch lights could symbolize American Heart Month.
Repelling Haints
The blue color was meant to ward off “haints” or evil spirits who might want to harm the house or the family inside. Many people argue that painting your porch ceiling blue actually keeps insects away.
Support for Law Enforcement: In many areas, blue porch lights are used to show support for police officers and law enforcement. This trend has gained popularity, especially during events or movements that aim to honor police service.
Many view a blue light as a sign of peace. It would make sense then in honor of both active and fallen law enforcement to encourage others with this kind of light. Another possible reason for this is that it is the color of many police officer's uniforms and the flashing blue and red lights on top of police cars.
Lights manufactured to produce Ultraviolet and high blue color spectrums attract bugs more than any other lights. The appropriate wavelength suitable for attracting different bugs lies in the range of 300-650nm.
Originally, haint blue was thought by the Gullah to ward haints, or ghosts, away from the home. The tactic was intended either to mimic the appearance of the sky, tricking the ghost into passing through, or to mimic the appearance of water, which ghosts traditionally could not cross.
While it's rooted in a superstitious southern tradition, “haint blue” painted ceilings are said to ward off spirits, or haints, that are said to be unable to cross bodies of water.
If you ever see a purple porch light, it's there to bring awareness to incidents of domestic violence. It can go undetected for far too long, especially if the victim feels they cannot leave due to a dangerous response from the attacker.
For general outdoor lighting, natural white strikes the perfect balance. This color temperature, ranging from 3,500 to 4,000 Kelvin, provides a light that is neither too warm nor too cool. It's ideal for pathways, driveways, and entryways, offering a clear view without altering the natural colors of your surroundings.
The Porch Light theory of change also specifies how creation of a public mural by individuals with mental health or substance abuse challenges (i.e., behavior- al health consumers) can reduce behavioral health stigma and enhance individual recovery and resilience.
Red Porch Lights
Around Valentine's Day, they might represent love and romance. However, red lights are also used to bring awareness to heart health, particularly during American Heart Month in February. Additionally, some use red lights to show support for the American Red Cross.
These lights are designed to alert potential criminals of their presence and deter illegal activity. Powerful infrared cameras monitor virtual boundaries in all directions around the lights, recording 24/7 and monitored remotely, tagging any suspicious activity for review by law enforcement.
Blue lights on porches, historically, have been a way for homeowners to honor and support law enforcement.
Porches are “lighting up” awareness about Narcan in hopes of saving lives. If you see a porch shining a green light in Salina, you have found a house joining the fight against fentanyl. A green porch light means there is Narcan inside and someone who can administer it.
Is it true they also help to keep bugs away? Sky blue paint might actually fool insects as well. Many people theorize that porches painted a soft blue will trick wasps and other insects into thinking it's the sky, taking their nests elsewhere.
Painting your porch ceiling in a blue tone could repel wasps, leading to fewer wasp-eating spiders around your home! Flies and mosquitoes, on the other hand, are attracted to blue tones and repelled by warm tones like yellow and orange.
Children started painting their porch ceilings 'haint' blue, because their parents did, and so the tradition continued. It became less known for scaring ghosts away, but more known for keeping wasps and birds away. It has been known to keep them from nesting since they believe that the blue represents the sky.
The practice traces back to the Gullah Geechee, enslaved people living in the low country of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. Gullah folklore explains that ghosts, also referred to as “haints,” were not able to cross water. In order to repel evil spirits from plantations, porch ceilings were painted a soft blue.
The color haint blue got its name from the belief that it could ward off evil spirits. The term “haint” was originally a variation of the word “haunt.” Haints are lost souls or the dead's restless spirits.
Blue: calmness, serenity, peace
Light blues are serene and can help with insomnia, while too much exposure to dark shades can trigger feelings of sadness, loneliness, or lethargy .
As a result of this study, it has been determined that blue light may have a repellent effect on cockroaches, and red light may be more attractive than other wavelengths.
Lights emitting higher UV or blue light might attract more insects, and in turn, spiders. Brightness and Duration: Brighter lights or those left on for extended durations can attract a higher number of insects. Dimmable LEDs or lights with timers can be adjusted to minimize their allure.
Therefore, relying solely on blue lights may only effectively target some mosquito species or those less attractive to light sources. Additionally, these lights might attract more than just mosquitoes—they could also catch helpful insects like pollinators, which could upset the local environment.