Front porch ceilings painted blue are a common sight in the deep South, with a history dating back about 200 years. This tradition originated with the Gullah Geechee, a community of enslaved people in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, who believed that spirits, or “haints,” couldn’t cross water.

To protect their homes, they painted porch ceilings blue to mimic water and ward off these spirits. Beyond its cultural roots, blue ceilings are also thought to deter wasps, extend daylight, or simply add charm. So, next time you see a blue porch ceiling in the South, you’ll understand its deep historical and cultural significance.