What Do Different Porch Light Colors Mean?

You’re driving through the neighborhood when you notice a colorful porch light. Cute! But then you pass another house with the same colorful porch light. What could it mean? Many homeowners will show their support for a specific cause or group by changing the color of their porch lights. Keep reading to learn what the different porch light colors could mean in your area!

Porch Light Color Meaning Breakdown

Red: Heart disease awareness or firefighter support
Green: Veteran support
Blue: Autism awareness or police support
Pink: Breast cancer awareness
Purple: Domestic violence awareness and support

Section 1 of 9:

Red Porch Light Meaning

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A red porch light spreads awareness of heart disease and shows support for firefighters. In the month of February, American Heart Month, many homeowners have red porch lights to spread awareness about heart disease or cardiovascular health. In May, red porch lights likely show support for firefighters, as May 4th is International Firefighters’ Day.^{[1]
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- The American Heart Association and Go Red for Women started the red porch light movement for cardiovascular health awareness.^{[2]
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- In rare instances, a red porch light might indicate illegal activities. Reports of red porch lights symbolizing drugs or prostitution have been made, but they’re not universal.^{[3]
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Section 2 of 9:

Green Porch Light Meaning

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A green porch light shows appreciation and support for veterans. Green is often considered a color of hope and symbolizes veterans. Around Veterans Day (November 11th) and Memorial Day (the last Monday of May), homeowners may have a green porch light as a symbol of appreciation for US military veterans.^{[4]
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- The “Greenlight a Vet” campaign encourages people to show support for veterans by shining a green porchlight.

Section 3 of 9:

Blue Porch Light Meaning

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Blue porch lights are very common in April, as April is National Autism Acceptance Month. Those with autism or who support autistic individuals will make their porch light blue to show their support.^{[5]
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Research source} Alternatively, homeowners who want to show support for law enforcement might have a blue porch light all year round, as blue is the most common color associated with police support.^{[6]
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Section 4 of 9:

Pink Porch Light Meaning

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A pink porch light recognizes breast cancer. In October, you may see lots of pink porch lights. That’s because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Homeowners and businesses will use pink lights and decorations to spread awareness about breast cancer to “shine a light” on the cause.^{[7]
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- Many states and areas even set up their own hashtags to encourage participants to share photos of their pink porch lights or raise money.

Section 5 of 9:

Purple Porch Light Meaning

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A purple porch light indicates a “safe space” for victims of domestic abuse. Purple is often associated with movements and groups working toward ending domestic violence. Those who support these causes. The light also indicates that domestic abuse victims are supported and welcome in their home.^{[8]
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- The purple porch light in support of domestic abuse started with Purple Porch, a Family Justice Center focused on shedding light on domestic abuse and providing support to victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse.^{[9]
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Section 6 of 9:

Orange Porch Light Meaning

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An orange porch light is a welcoming symbol. Over the years, orange porch lights have taken on multiple roles, with the most significant being for the “Light Up Delphi” cause in 2017, where an Indiana community came together to find the murderers of two girls. The case sparked a movement: orange is a welcoming and solidarity color. Today, homeowners use orange porch lights to symbolize community and friendliness.^{[10]
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- Orange is often a common porch light color because it’s bright and lets off a warm glow.
- Some people also use orange porch lights around Halloween for a festive touch.

Section 7 of 9:

Yellow Porch Light Meaning

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A yellow porch light spreads awareness about childhood cancer. Gold is often associated with childhood cancer, and those wanting to spread awareness about the cause will often have yellow porch lights.^{[11]
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Research source} You’ll likely see yellow porch lights more often in September, as September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.^{[12]
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- Keep in mind that yellow is often a very common porch light color as it’s a popular light bulb tone.

Section 8 of 9:

Black Porch Light Meaning

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If a homeowner is grieving, they may change their porch light to black to symbolize their grief. Black lights emit very little light and have a faint blue or purple glow. The somber effect of this bulb may reflect the sorrowful feelings of the family within.^{[13]
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Section 9 of 9:

Why do people have colored porch lights?

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Colored porch lights show support for a cause or group. More often than not, people have colored porch lights because they want to show support for a specific cause or group. While we identified the universal meanings of these porch light colors above, every area or home could be showing support for something different!
- For instance, say a beloved child of the community is going through chemotherapy. Neighbors may change their porch lights to yellow to show their support, or they might change them to purple if that’s the child’s favorite color.
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Colored porch lights are an easy way to decorate. Many homeowners or businesses don’t have time for elaborate decorations during the holidays. So, instead of fancy lights and lawn inflatables, they’ll decorate for the seasons with colored porch lights.
- For example, orange lights are often used around Halloween, and red and green lights are popular around Christmas and New Year’s.
Sometimes, people have colored porch lights because they simply look cool. Maybe it’s the homeowner’s favorite color, or having colored lights makes they’re kids happy. So, it’s important to note that colored porch lights don’t always mean something specific—they might just be for fun!

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White porch lights don’t typically have a symbolic meaning, as they’re a standard lightbulb color. They’re typically chosen for their brightness and clarity.

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