The Symbol of Saint Brigid, a Patron Saint of Ireland
Brigid's cross is an traditional Irish woven cross made from rushes. It's origin comes from Saint Brigid weaving one while attending to an ailing pagan chieftain, who was healed. Brigit, being known for her generosity and her healing, is called upon to protect a dwelling from disease with the hanging of Brigid's cross above the entryway. This cross, also known as Brighid's cross, Bridget's cross, or Brigit's cross, is often made and hung on Brigit's Day, February 1st, the first day of spring in Ireland.
Saint Brigid given the name of Brigit who, in Irish mythology, was a Celtic goddess associated with perpetual, sacred flames, and many of her stories and symbols have been passed on under Saint Brigid's persona. Brigid, the Celtic Goddess, and Brigid, the Catholic Saint, have been quite important to Ireland.
Whether the two are separate entities, or whether the Celtic Goddess took on a new persona in order to thrive in a new era is a mystery, but what we do know is that Brigid lives on - in her legends, her wells, her cross, and her festival. The legends, beliefs, and symbols of the Celtic Goddess have over time melted into stories of St. Brigid, and perhaps have even migrated across an ocean as the Vodou spirit Maman Brigitte.
The Use of St. Brigid's Cross
It was/is tradition for a St. Briget's cross to be nailed above the entrance of a dwelling, and a couple taking over a farm or homestead would nail one a under the barn eaves. It is believed that this will invoke the help of St. Briget in warding off disease, as St. Briget, and Briget wells, are know for healing.
River Shannon St. Brigid's Cross
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About Brigid's Cross
Many rituals are associated with the making of the crosses. These were formerly commonplace but are now rare. Occasionally Roman Catholic homes still feature Brigid's crosses, especially in rural areas. It was traditionally believed that a Brigid's Cross protects the house from fire and evil.
Brigid's crosses are associated with Brigid of Kildare, who is venerated as one of the patron saints of Ireland. The crosses are traditionally made on 1 February, which in the Irish language is called Lá Fhéile Bhríde (Brigid's feast day), the day of her liturgical celebration. This feast coincides with the more ancient one of her pagan namesake, Ireland's most important Goddess, Brigid, who is associated with fire; it signifies the beginning of Spring, and is called Imbolc.
(Read the rest of this article on wikipedia)
The Legend of the Cross
In Gaelic: Cros Bhrighite
Brigid (of Kildare), who was renowned for her charity (even to the extent of angering her father), once acted as nurse to a pagan chieftain. While the chieftain slept, Brigid wove a cross out of the rushes being used as floor covering, and she prayed for him. When he woke, the chieftain asked of this cross. Brigit relayed to him the story of Calvary. Deeply impacted by this story the chieftain converted to Christianity, and his health returned. (Other versions have the chieftan dying, but not until after he is baptized).
Download Music Inspired By St Brigit
How to Make a St. Brigid's Cross
- Bogs in the Classroom
- From the Irish Peatland Conservation Council: How to Make a St Bridget's Cross
- 3 Methods
- Three methods for how to make a Traditional St. Briget's Cross
How to Make a St. Bridgid's Cross
How to make a St Bridget's Cross
This is the authentic County Sligo way, demonstrated to me by Stella in her kitchen. No editing - just let yourself be talked through the process, and then try it yourself.
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About Brigid of Kildare
Saint Brigid of Kildare or Brigid of Ireland (Brigit, Bridget, Bridgit, Bríd or Bride) () (c. 451?525) was an Irish Roman Catholic nun, abbess, and founder of several convents who is venerated as a saint. She is considered one of Ireland's patron saints along with Saints Patrick and Columba. Her feast day is February 1, the traditional first day of spring in Ireland.
A Wonderful Selection of Books on Brigid
Brighid's Healing: Irelands Celtic Medicine Tradition
Amazon Price: $12.89 (as of 10/10/2008)
The Rites of Brigid: Goddess & Saint
Amazon Price: $18.45 (as of 10/10/2008)
Brigid's Charge
Amazon Price: $14.00 (as of 10/10/2008)
Brigid of Ireland: A Historical Novel
Amazon Price: $11.19 (as of 10/10/2008)
Brigid of the Gael: A Complete Collection of Primary Resources
Amazon Price: $51.40 (as of 10/10/2008)
Links about St. Brigit
- St. Brigit - The Giveaway
- A Poem on the generosity of St. Brigid of Ireland
- Legend: The Vision of St. Brigid
- From Legendary Fictions of the Irish Celts, narrated by Patrick Kennedy
- Legend: St. Brigid's Cloak
- From Legendary Fictions of the Irish Celts, narrated by Patrick Kennedy
- Legend: St. Brigid and the Harps
- From Legendary Fictions of the Irish Celts, narrated by Patrick Kennedy
- Hail Briget
- POEM: Sit thou safely enthroned, triumphant Brigit, upon the side of Liffey far as the strand of the ebbing sea!...
- The Wells of St. Brigid in Ireland
- List of Brigid's Wells in Ireland. Brigid Wells are known for their healing.
St. Brigid Cross Sterling Silver Pendant
Saint Bridget St. Brigid Cross Sterling Silver Pendant
Amazon Price: $9.88 (as of 10/10/2008)
SIZE: 1" tall (without bail) x 1" wide with a 3mm bail opening
WEIGHT: 3 grams
DETAILS: Stamped .925
St. Brigit's Blessing
Bless every fireside every wall and door.
bless every heart that beats beneath its room.
Bless every hand that toils to bring it joy.
Bless every foot that walks its portals through.
May Brigid bless the house that shelters you.
How do you see Brigid?
The Cross of St. Brigid Quilt Pattern
Colorful Quilts
Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 10/10/2008)
This book features 12 beautiful quilt patterns, one of which is this amazing Cross of St. Brigid quilt pattern:
Brigid's Cloak: An Ancient Irish Story
by Bryce Milligan (Author), Helen Cann
Brigid's Cloak: An Ancient Irish Story
Amazon Price: $8.00 (as of 10/10/2008)
Milligan's folktale-flavored telling, which incorporates elements of Druidic and early Christian beliefs, introduces Brigid, one of Ireland's favorite saints, in a story that reveals the origin of her reputation for generosity. Borders of Celtic designs frame Cann's mixed-media pictures and add both authenticity and wonder to the tale.
More on Celtic Spirituality
About Brigid
:This article refers to the Pagan Goddess Brigid. For the Catholic/Orthodox Saint of that name, see Saint Brigid.
In Irish mythology, Brigit or Brighid ("exalted one"Campbell, Mike Behind the Name) was the daughter of the Dagda and one of the Tuatha Dé Danann. She was the wife of Bres of the Fomorians, with whom she had a son, Ruadán. She had two sisters, also named Brighid, and is considered a classic Celtic Triple Goddess.
Celtic Goddess Brigid Statue
Celtic Goddess Brigid Statue Pagan Wicca Dryad Designs
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Brigid Statue - Wood Finish
Amazon Price: $89.95 (as of 10/10/2008)
Gabhain Molta Bhride (Brigit's Song)
performed by Claire Roche at Brigit's Garden, Co. Galway
Gabhain Molta Bhride (Brigid's Song)
I praise to Brigid She is praised in Ireland She is praised in all countries Let us all praise her The bright torch of Leinster Shining throughout the country Head of Irish youth Head of our gentle women The house of winter is very dark Cutting with its sharpness But on Saint Brigid's Day Spring is near to us in Ireland
Bronze Brigid Pendant
Bronze Brigid Pendant
Amazon Price: $33.95 (as of 10/10/2008)
St. Brigit's Cross - Ornaments
Variations of Brigid's Cross
Local Twists on Brigid's Cross
- Local Variations of Brigid's Cross
- As with many things in Ireland there are many local variants of the Brigid cross. Varieties shown from counties: Waterford, Leitrim, Donegal Cork, Galway, and others.
St. Brighid's Cross Items For Auction
on eBay
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The Ledgend of Brigid
While St. Bridgid's Cross is associated with Brigid of Kildare, many of the stories and legends of her life actually age back to her namesake, the pagen Goddess Brigid. These stories were not written, they were passed orally from generation to generation, and over time the legends of Brigid of Kildare and the Goddess Brigid have in essence made them one persona.
Celtic Goddess Brighid Poster
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St. Brigid's Day
February 1st - The first day of Spring
- Foods For St. Brigid's Day Feb. 1
- Brigid's Day Foods - Brigid is closely associated with the farm, ale, butter, and cows. Be sure to serve a good hand crafted ale in quantity and never, never, forget to bring a few stories of the saint to the table!
14K Yellow Gold St. Bridget's Cross Pendant
14K Yellow Gold St. Bridget's Cross Pendant
Amazon Price: $199.95 (as of 10/10/2008)
Brand Name: DivaDiamonds
This 14k yellow gold pendant makes a great addition to any jewelry collection and can be worn on many occasions. The total metal weight of this pendant is 1.24 grams. This pendant is part of our cross collection of jewelry. This pendant has a width of 20 mm, and a height of 20 mm.
Not To Be Confused with St. Bridget of Sweden
There is another St. Bridget, St. Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373), who is often confused with St. Bridget of Ireland.For more information on St. Bridget of Sweden, visit:
Bridget of Sweden | Wikipedia
St. Bridget of Sweden | Miracle Rosary Mission
Saint Bridget of Sweden | Catholic Encyclopedia
Gifts
Maman Brigitte
As people were transported from Ireland to the Caribbean as slaves, the legends of Brigid or Saint Brigid also likely came. Over time, legends here evolved into Maman Brigitte:
In Vodou, Maman Brigitte (Grann Brigitte, Manman, Manman Brigit, Manman Brijit) is a death loa, the wife of Baron Samedi. She drinks hot peppers and is symbolized by a black rooster. Like Baron and the Ghede, she uses obscenities.
She protects gravestones in cemeteries if they are properly marked with a cross.
A New World loa, Maman Brigitte is probably traceable back to the Irish Saint Brigid.
More About Irish Slaves in the Caribbean
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Irish Slaves in the Caribbean
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Though little has been discussed about them, thousands of Irish men, women, and children, were captured or arrested and shipped to the Caribbean as slaves. Because they did not factor into Oliver Cromwell's new plan of government, these pe...
St. Brigid's Cross Guestbook
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CleanerLife
I'm not really up on Saints or Celtic legends, so this is all new to me. Thanks, I learned a lot! Posted September 23, 2008 |
