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hex sign
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Hex sign painted on a Pennsylvania barn.
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Hex sign painted on a Pennsylvania barn.
Hex sign painted on a Pennsylvania barn.

hex sign

emblem
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History

hex sign, emblem painted on a barn, especially in Pennsylvania Dutch country, an agricultural region in southeastern Pennsylvania largely settled by German immigrants who have preserved ethnic custom and identification to a high degree (see Pennsylvania German). Hex designs, usually round, with colourful, simple floral and geometric motifs, are said to protect farm animals from disease and other misfortunes resulting from witches’ spells and especially the evil eye.