There are several types of porch lights, from incandescent bulbs to LED bulbs. Some are white, some are yellow or orange, and some are even red.
When you look at a porch light, you might notice that it has a certain color. This color can mean different things depending on where you live and the time of year. We’ll go over the most common one with you
Here’s what each color of porch light means:
- Green porch light: Appreciation for U.S. veterans and active military members
- Blue porch light: Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Red porch light: American Heart Association
- Purple porch light: Awareness of incidents of domestic violence
- Orange Porch Light: Halloween
- Yellow porch light: Come and visit
- Pink Porch Light: Breast Cancer
- Blinking porch light: Sign of distress during an emergency
Here, you’ll learn when to turn on your porch light and what it means. Make sure you don’t miss this!
Discover fascinating ways to showcase your home using these special setups in the information below.
What Does a Green Porch Light Mean?
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Veterans and active military members are often rewarded with green porch lights. The green light will also be given to Lyme disease awareness month, Memorial Day, and St. Patrick’s Day.
In honor of U.S. veterans and the men and women in the military, some people use this color all year long. People believe that showing gratitude for those who served is not something you should do once a year but should be done every day.
This is a great way to recognize and thank veterans for living in an area where neighbors decorate their porches with green lights.
We owe our gratitude to our veterans and active military.
In Honor Of Veterans’ Day
Veterans day is a day when the country pays tribute to U.S. veterans, active military, guardsmen, reservists, and other uniformed services.
As part of that Day’s celebration for local veterans, the Moapa Valley Town Council passed a resolution in 2009 to switch their white porch lights to green.
Memorial Day
They are often seen on Memorial Day for similar reasons. In honor of those who have died in service to the country, they are displayed.
In honor of U.S. servicemen and women who died serving the country, many people put out a flag and lights on their front porch, but you may also see porch lights lit in memorial colors.
Saint Patrick’s Day Is Observed Annually On March 17
St. Patrick’s Day is sometimes called “Green Out Day” because there are a lot of green porch lights.
Green has nothing to do with Ireland’s flag or shamrocks, but it does have ties to an old Irish saying.
The Month Of May Is National Awareness Month For Lyme Disease
Lyme disease awareness month is another reason people display green porch lights. Green is the color of ticks, which often carry this disease.
Lyme Disease Awareness Month takes place every May in communities across the country, from Old Lyme, Connecticut, to San Antonio, Texas. Approximately 300,000 cases of Lyme disease are reported every year in the U.S.
Porch lights are used in some communities to show support to those diagnosed and provide awareness for this condition.
What Does a Blue Porch Light Mean?
Most often, people put up a blue porch light to bring awareness to a cause. Awareness of autism, law enforcement support and alopecia areata are the most common causes.
In Support Of The Law Enforcement Community
Most People Associate Blue With Law Enforcement.
A blue light was placed in Dolly Craig’s window in 1989 to honor her late son-in-law, an officer killed in action. The idea grew into Project Blue Light after she shared her story with a local chapter of COPS.
To show support for all law enforcement, the light Ohio Blue campaign encourages people to change their porch lights to blue.
The event started as a tribute to fallen officers but has evolved into year-round support for all law enforcement.
Awareness of Autism
World Autism Awareness Day falls on April 2 in April. Autism speaks created the Light-It-Up Blue campaign to raise awareness.
Around the world, landmarks are illuminated blue on this day to show support. Blue lights are also often put on porches to show support for those with autism spectrum disorders.
Due to the connection between autism and the sky, blue was chosen for this awareness month. Many parents point out the color of the sky to children with autism who stare at it to calm them or comfort them.
What Does a Red Porch Light Mean?
Red porch lights have many meanings, including American Heart Month, Firefighter Support, Valentine’s Day, Halloween, and even prostitution.
American Heart Association
Red symbolizes the American Heart Association’s aim for a heart-healthy lifestyle.
It believes that global awareness of heart disease is important. February is the association’s heart health awareness month.
Valentines Day
Valentine’s Day is related to red in February. During this time of year, a lot of people turn their porch lights red.
Halloween
Red is the color of Halloween and its ghosts and goblins. Red lights are not a superstition, but many people do so to honor the event.
Support Firefighters
Observed on May 4. Shine your light is a campaign launched by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to encourage support for firefighters.
They’re asking people to turn their porch lights red on May 4.
Every year, people do this to support firefighters and their sacrifices.
Prostitution/Brothel
Many people still associate red porch lighting with prostitution and brothels. It doesn’t matter whether the red porch light comes from the “red light district” or an urban legend. It still implies “open for business.”
What Does a Purple Porch Light Mean?
Purple lights are commonly used to raise awareness of domestic violence.
Domestic Violence
Purple porch lights remind us that violence doesn’t belong in our homes. Dedicated to survivors and victims of domestic abuse.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In addition to raising awareness about domestic violence, this gesture serves as a visible sign of resistance.
What Does an Orange Porch Light Mean?
Orange porch lights show sympathy for the Delphi murder victims as well as Halloween decor.
Halloween
Every October, porch lights turn orange. They are decorated for Halloween and Fall with this vibrant color. Often, orange lights are mistaken for “Halloween” lights.
Cry For Justice
A nationwide campaign called “Light up Delphi” encouraged people to turn their porch lights orange in honor of two slain adolescent girls.
Locally, porch lights were sold to benefit the victims’ families. The community lit orange lights until the crimes were solved in memory of both girls.
What Does a Yellow Porch Light Mean?
The yellow porch lights are said to help you ward off a large number of insects. This is a good method for getting rid of the bugs around your porch light.
What does a pink porch light mean?
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is often linked to pink porch lights. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so you’ll see more of them.
As part of Let Your Light Shine!, pink light bulbs are available. Proceeds will go to the foundation.
What does a flashing/blinking porch light mean?
Someone is in trouble if their porch light blinks or flashes. A person may flash their lights in front of an ambulance, fire truck, or police car to get their attention.
Emergency vehicles don’t need to search for an address, which means police officers can respond more quickly.
How to interpret the color of a porch light
Sometimes, the color of a porch light doesn’t mean anything whatsoever. Some people like to use different colors to represent certain things.
What are some common interpretations of porch light colors?
There are many interpretations of porch light colors, but the most common ones are:
– White: Welcome! This light is usually used to greet guests.
– Blue: Thank you! This light is usually used as a way of saying thank you to guests who have left.
– Yellow: You’re welcome! This light is usually used as a way of saying “you’re welcome” to guests who have entered.
What is the significance of porch lights?
They are an important part of home security. By turning on your porch light, you can signal to people that you’re home and that they should not trespass. Additionally, digital porch lights can be turned on when needed with the use of a monitor inside the house.
They have both illumination and a symbolic purpose at night. They provide safety for your family and warn people away from your property. It’s especially important to turn on your porch light when children are alone at home in the evening or morning.
The porch light can notify people of a child’s vulnerability and signal that help is available if needed.
Your front door number is also important and should be visible from the street in addition to your porch light and address on the package. When potential burglars see both your address and front door number, they may be less likely to target your home.
In addition to their practical uses, porch lights can also serve as a reminder. For example, many people use porch lights as a way to remember when packages are expected to arrive.
By having a lit porch light, you’ll know right away when there’s a package waiting for you on your doorstep!
