In colonial times, cleanliness was considered to be a virtue, and a tidy house was seen as a reflection of a well-ordered mind. Brooms were essential for maintaining a clean home, and they were often used several times a day. In addition to their practical uses, brooms were also seen as symbols of good luck, and they were sometimes hung over doorways to ward off evil spirits.
Brooms were so important to colonial people that they were often mentioned in literature and art. In the novel "The Scarlet Letter," Nathaniel Hawthorne describes a scene in which Hester Prynne, the main character, is sweeping the steps of the church as a punishment for her adultery. In the painting "Washington Crossing the Delaware," by Emanuel Leutze, a broom can be seen leaning against a tree in the foreground.
Brooms played a vital role in the daily lives of colonial people, and they remain important tools for people today. They are a reminder of the importance of cleanliness and order, and they can also be seen as symbols of good luck and protection.