Rain Tulip Compass Hex

by Hanne Lore Koehler

Title

Rain Tulip Compass Hex

Artist

Hanne Lore Koehler

Medium

Painting - Acrylic + Digital

Description

Important to the culture and traditions of the German settlers that created their new home in America and Canada in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries were the folk art style designs referred to as hex signs. The Pennsylvania Dutch decorated their farmhouses inside and out with these hand-painted geometric designs, painting them on many household items, above doorways and on their barns.

The elements that make up the designs all had special meanings from the individual colors and patterns to the birds or "Distelfinks", hearts, leaves and stars. It was their belief that these designs would bring blessings and good fortune to the home and family in the form of good luck, fertility, love, happiness, good health and many other desirable wishes. Today Dutch Hex Signs are enjoyed by people around the world who hang them on their sheds, homes, barns and garages, above doorways, in workshops, and many other locations.

These designs are open to interpretation. In my opinion, the design shown here represents a compass pointing north,south, east and west, blue raindrops keeping red and yellow tulips healthy and beautiful, amid a golden sunset circle of happiness surrounded by a solid black ring of strength under a sky blue ring of heavenly protection - all special highlights of life for the family that displayed the symbol. I added barn wood texture to the design to keep the series consistent.

In the 1980's, my dad, Otto Werner (1923 - 1991) was commissioned to design and paint a series of 24 panels to be mounted as part of the Waterloo Heritage TIME TELLER GAZEBO (photo in this gallery) that illustrated some of the Pennsylvania Dutch Hex designs featured on many of the old Mennonite barns in the region. Each of these unique hex designs was incorporated into the gazebo design directly under the eaves. Many elements were repeated in original hex symbols. The star symbol in this design meant good will to all while the scalloped border was a wish for unending joy and happiness to all who entered the home. This is one of the 24 hex designs of the TIME TELLER GAZEBO now being offered as reproduction canvas and art prints - an excellent addition to your country kitchen decor! Also great for deli and cafe ambient decor!

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February 14th, 2020

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