Hex Signs: Pennsylvania Dutch Barn Symbols & Their Meaning (Paperback)

by Don Yoder (Author), Thomas E. Graves (Author) "Hex signs and the barns on which they appear are an integral part of the American culture developed by the Pennsylvania Dutch or Pennsylvania Germans..." (more)
Key Phrases: hex signs, swirling swastika, decorated barn, Pennsylvania Dutch, Berks County, Lancaster County (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
99 color illustrations 37 b/w photos 2 color maps 8 x 11

"Helps us to understand hex signs as no other work on the subject ever has."-Simon Bronner, author of Following Tradition

"A landmark in the study of Pennsylvania Dutch folk art."-Henry Glassie, author of The Spirit of Folk Art

A revised and expanded edition of the classic work on hex-sign barn decorations, offering insight into their various forms, geographical spread, European origins, evolution in Pennsylvania, and current use in tourism, advertising, and regional art. The authors explore the meaning of the symbols by examining evidence from popular writers, scholars, and contemporary hex-sign painters. Full-color photographs display the grandeur of this Pennsylvania Dutch phenomenon.

Don Yoder, who lives in Devon, Pennsylvania, was cofounder of the Pennsylvania Folklife Society and longtime editor of its serial, Pennsylvania Folklife. He was Professor of Folklife Studies at the University of Pennsylvania from 1956 to 1992 and is the acclaimed author of countless works on Pennsylvania Dutch folk culture. Thomas E. Graves lives in Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania, and has written articles on hex signs, gravestones, and coal culture.

About the Author
Don Yoder

Product Details

• Paperback: 86 pages
• Publisher: Stackpole Books; 2 Sub edition (January 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811727998
• ISBN-13: 978-0811727990
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #357,719 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good informitive review of the topic., February 22, 2004

By	The Old Philosopher "The Old Philosopher" (WA USA) - See all my reviews

The authors take a pragmatic approach to the subject of the many round decorations that have graced barns and homes of Pennsylvania for hundreds of years. Especially among Pennsylvanians of "Deutch" or German ancestry, the fancy round "hex signs" are a cultural identification as well a decoration for their barns. Perhaps these signs also have magickal meaning as a ward or protection. The term "hex" means a magic spell in German, and "hexen" means witch. The authors shy away somewhat from a serious inquiry into the magickal meanings and efficacy of protection hexes. They do offer a collection of good photos of many old and new signs, interviews with current painters and discussion of those available commercially.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hex Signs:Pennsylvania Dutch Barn Symbols & Their Meaning, March 2, 2000

By	Carol DeMarra (Denver, Colorado) - See all my reviews

"It is an excellent book on history of Pa.Dutch Hex Signs" Colorful and very informative!

3.0 out of 5 stars average, March 5, 2008

By	C. Dieppa "Book Worm" (Jacksonville, Fl USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Didn't have nearly as much information about the history and evolution of the Hex Sign as I expected. It also didn't have very many pictures as expected of these beautiful symbols and important piece of history. Good book but, could have definitely been more.