“Der Haussegen hängt schief” (“the house blessing is hanging crooked”) is what Germans say when there is a row at home. The saying recalls an old custom: in many homes hangs a house blessing, a picture, a cross or a saying with which the residents ask for God’s blessing on their home. Here you can find out what a house blessing means, which forms it takes and where and how best to hang it.
What is a house blessing?
A house blessing is a visible sign that a house or flat is meant to be under God’s blessing. In the past these were often printed or embroidered blessings hung in the hallway or above the door. Today there are house blessings as wooden wall plaques, as crosses or as small boards with a short saying such as “God bless our house”.
A house blessing is not a protective charm. It is a prayer in pictorial form: it reminds everyone who comes and goes that the home should be a place of peace.
Where does the custom come from?
Already in the Old Testament, the word of God was to be written “upon the posts of thy house” (Deuteronomy 6:9). In Christianity this developed into various customs: the cross in the Herrgottswinkel (the “Lord’s corner”), the blessing over the door and the blessing of the house by the priest. Jesus himself sends his disciples out with the instruction to wish every house peace first (Luke 10:5).
Forms of house blessing
House blessing as a wall plaque
A wall plaque with a blessing is the best-known form. Our olive wood house blessing (15 × 10 cm) shows praying hands and the German inscription “Gott segne unser Haus” (“God bless our home”). It is blessed: a Catholic priest from the Diocese of Fulda blesses it in our own warehouse, and a certificate card showing the date of the blessing is included.
The cross in the Herrgottswinkel
Especially in southern Germany and Austria, the living room has a Herrgottswinkel: a corner, usually diagonally opposite the door above the dining table, with a crucifix. A simple olive wood wall cross or a beech wood wall crucifix can also fulfil this role. We explain what distinguishes a cross from a crucifix in Cross or Crucifix: the Difference.
The blessing of the Epiphany carol singers
Around 6 January the Sternsinger (Epiphany carol singers) go from house to house and write the blessing on the door, for example “20*C+M+B+27”. The letters stand for “Christus mansionem benedicat”: may Christ bless this house. Many leave the chalk inscription up all year.
The blessing of a house or flat
Anyone who is moving in can ask a priest or deacon for a house blessing. Prayers are said, and the rooms are blessed with holy water. Simply ask at your parish. The family itself can also say a blessing prayer when moving in.
Where do you hang a house blessing?
There are no fixed rules. These places have proved their worth:
- In the entrance area: Here everyone sees the house blessing coming and going. This fits the idea of blessing all who come and go.
- Above the front door or flat door: the classic spot, inside or outside.
- In the living or dining room: where the family gathers, for example in the Herrgottswinkel.
- In the kitchen: In some families the house blessing hangs where food is cooked and eaten.
How to put up the house blessing
- Choose a place: Look for a dry wall without direct sun and without steam. Wood does not like damp.
- Decide the height: A house blessing looks best at about eye level. Above a door, a small gap from the frame is enough.
- Fix it: For light wall plaques a small nail or picture hook is usually enough. Look at what hanging fitting is on the back, and choose fixing material to suit your wall.
- Hang it with a prayer: Many people say a short blessing prayer as they hang it, alone or as a family.
Good God, bless this house and all who live here, come and go. Grant us peace with one another, open doors for our guests and security in your love. Amen.
A simple wording of our own, to pray along with.
A house blessing as a gift
A house blessing is a popular gift for moving in, for a wedding or for a milestone birthday. For a new home it is often presented together with bread and salt, an old sign that the residents should lack nothing. If you like, add a small olive wood standing cross or the Holy Family pendant. St Joseph is regarded as the patron saint of families; you can find out more about him in the Saints’ Lexicon.
A house blessing in a rented flat and when moving
Even in a rented flat nobody has to go without a house blessing. For light wall plaques there are adhesive hooks that can later be removed leaving little residue. When you move, the house blessing simply comes with you and is given a place of honour again in the new flat. Many families use the move as an occasion to bless the new rooms with a shared prayer.
And what if an old house blessing is damaged? Traditionally, blessed objects are not thrown out with the household rubbish. Wood can be burned, and many parishes also accept old devotional items.
Frequently asked questions
What does “Der Haussegen hängt schief” mean?
The German saying describes a quarrel in the family. It alludes to the house blessing, which is actually meant to stand for peace in the home.
Where do you hang a house blessing?
Most often in the entrance area or above the door, so that everyone who comes and goes sees it. The living or dining room is also a good place.
Does a house blessing have to be blessed?
No. Even unblessed, a house blessing is a sign of faith. Many people would like to have it blessed, though, or ask a priest to bless their home.
What does C+M+B on the door mean?
The letters stand for “Christus mansionem benedicat”: may Christ bless this house. Around 6 January the Sternsinger write the blessing on the door together with the year.
Written by Denis & Belinda. We run LUNEXUS and are happy to answer your questions personally on +49 30 2178 2502 (German and English) or at hallo@lunexus.world.
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