Perhaps you, like many others across the nation, have recently begun to notice that the porch colors in your neighborhood aren’t the usual standard white anymore.
You may notice some red, or blue lights replacing the regular ones. If this is the case, you’re probably wondering whether it’s a decorative choice, or if it has a deeper meaning.
If these sound like the questions you’ve been asking yourself, you’re not alone. More and more people are searching for the elusive meaning behind porch light colors.
If you want to find out more about the different porch light colors and what they really mean, then you’ve come to the right place. Below, we’ve compiled a guide to provide you with all the inside knowledge you need about the subject.
To find out more about the topic, simply keep reading below, as we take a closer look.
The Different Porch Light Colors And Their Meanings
So, do the different porch light colors actually signify something deeper? The answer is yes, and no. Some homeowners will simply choose alternative colors because they’re cheaper to keep lit, as they don’t tend to be as bright.
On the other hand, others might be trying to show support, or convey a specific message by choosing a specific color for their porch light. It can be tricky to deduce exactly who or what they’re showing support for, because each color can signify a host of different meanings.
But, generally, there are some things that are reserved exclusively for each color. Below, you’ll find a list of each of the different porch light colors, along with the meanings behind them. Keep reading below to find out more.
1. Red Porch Light
Let’s delve into our first porch light color, red. Some of you may have noticed that your neighbors have been lighting red porch lights in place of the usual white. What is the meaning behind this color? Well, there are a few actually.
The most obvious reason why your neighbors may have opted for a red bulb in place of the usual white, is because it’s Valentine’s day! That’s right, in order to celebrate the holiday of love, many people will swap out their regular white light in place of a red one during the month of February to acknowledge the holiday.
In addition to Valentine’s day, Halloween is another holiday during which many people choose a red bulb instead of white. We’re guessing that it’s because it creates a more elusive and mysterious hue, and makes it altogether more foreboding.
But what if you notice that your neighbors are supporting a red light bulb and it’s not during these specific holidays? If this is the case, they may be showing their alignment with a specific cause. One of the most common reasons is to show support for the American Heart Association.
This association shows support for a healthy lifestyle, and raising awareness for cardiovascular disease.
In addition to this charity, some people will opt for a red light bulb in order to show support for firefighters. Perhaps the people whose porch light is lit have a member of the family who serves as a firefighter?
If this is the case, many people will choose to have their porch lit red all year round. You may notice a few more red bulbs during the month of May though, simply because this is the month in which international firefighters day takes place.
If you feel like showing your support, light your porch red on the 4th of May.
Another, slightly stranger reason why you might see a red light bulb, is to represent a brothel. No, we’re not joking. We’re not really sure why a red light bulb is used to signify this, but it might be something to do with notions of the red light district, which signifies that a place is ‘open for business’, so to speak.
Of course, we’re not suggesting that your neighbors are running an illicit brothel, but we’re merely covering all of the possible connotations, no matter how unlikely.
2. Green Porch Light
Now that we’ve covered what a red porch light means, we can move on to discuss green porch lights, which are equally common. It’s easier to deduce what a green porch light means if you’re seeing it all year round.
In terms of seasonal porch lighting, you’ll notice that many will light their porches green as a form of celebration during St. Patrick’s day. This is a holiday stemming from northern Ireland, and celebrates one of their most holy saints.
Many people will keep their porch light green perpetually in order to show support for US veterans. This is a sign of respect for all those who have served and those who are currently serving.
If you notice somebody who has a green porch light all year round, they might have personal connections to people who serve or have served in the military, and want to show that they’re thinking of them.
Some may not decide to have their porch lights green continuously, but may still want to show their support for veterans. You’ll notice more and more people with green porch lights during the time of Veterans day. People who light their porches green for Veterans day will typically do so over the span of a weekend.
People will also light their porches green for Memorial Day, which is another important day in US culture, as it’s a time to show support for people who have died whilst working in the military.
This actually began way back in the 2000’s, but it’s become an increasingly popular way to show support for veterans over time.
There are a couple of other reasons why you might notice a green porch light however. Many people will choose to light up their porches in awareness of Lyme disease. Lyme disease is becoming incredibly prevalent all over the US, and those who are in charge are concerned about the rate at which it’s spreading.
Some people will opt for a green porch light simply to bring awareness to this terrible disease, and to show support to those who are struggling with it.
3. Blue Porch Light
Many people will also opt for blue porch lights, and like the others here on our list, blue bulbs can have a host of different meanings depending on the individual household.
In terms of porches that are only lit blue during certain times of the year, it is fairly easy to deduce what they’re showing support for. For example, if you notice a porch lit blue during the month of April, then you can probably guarantee that this household is showing support for autism awareness month.
Blue has strong connotations with autism, and is often shown as being representative of this developmental disability.
Probably the most common reason, however, that you might see a blue porch in your neighborhood, is to show support for the local police department. Many people will light their porch blue in order to show their gratitude and thanks for all those who are helping to keep the neighborhood safe.
Therefore, if you see somebody’s porch, and they have a blue light all year round, it’s safe to assume that this is the reason why.
Others might just choose to light their porch light blue when there has been a police fatality in the area, or advertised nationwide on the news. They will light their porch in order to show their sympathies for the deceased person.
There is actually a project for this, called Project Blue Light, so if you want to support your law enforcement officers too, look into this project and consider investing in a blue bulb yourself.
4. Pink Porch Light
This color porch light is less common, and you might not see it in your neighborhood that often. Pink light bulbs are typically donned in order to support those who are suffering from breast cancer.
Therefore, during breast cancer awareness month, you might see a few more people opting for pink light bulbs on the street.
On another note, as we mentioned earlier, some people will opt for red light bulbs in order to commemorate Valentine’s day. Because Valentine’s day is also associated with the color pink, you might see this color making its way around too.
5. Orange Light Bulb
Another less frequently used colored light bulb is orange, which is typically not used all the year round, but insead signifies specific holidays and events.
You might have already guessed, but many people will opt for an orange light bulb during the month of October. This is because of the color’s strong associations with Halloween. If you want the perfect porch light to compliment your pumpkins this year, there’s truly no better color than orange.
Some people might get confused and see what they think is an orange light bulb, but it is in fact, a yellow bulb. The reason why people opt for yellow bulbs is simply because they’re adept at keeping pesky insects away.
6. Purple Porch Light
The reasons behind purple porch lights, although they can sometimes be used for Halloween, don’t tend to be frivolous.
Many people will opt to have their porch lit up with the color purple in order to show their support for victims of domestic violence. In terms of charities, purple is a color that has strong associations with this cause, and can be seen most often in October.
This shows solidarity with those who are suffering from domestic abuse, and shows that the occupier stands against domestic physical violence.
Final Thoughts
Although, as we’ve discussed above, porch lights can have a whole host of different meanings, it’s also important to keep in mind that some people will just have alternative colored porch lights for no reason whatsoever, but merely as an aesthetic choice.
On the other hand, based on the months during which your neighbors usually have these particular colored lights on display, you’ll likely be able to deduce what they mean to show support for.
If you’re thinking of getting involved and choosing a light bulb color that stands for a cause close to your heart, we’d recommend that you go for it! It’s a fantastic way to show the community what you care about, and helps to bring awareness.
