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Saint Brigid is said to have been the one who came up with this distinct cross symbol, and that the design was inspired by the pagan sun wheel. Brigid of the Tuatha de Danaan, in Irish Celtic mythology, was known as a life-giving goddess, which is why the beginning of Spring with the birth of new lambs and the flowers beginning to bloom again, was associated with her. Incredibly, when Brigid took her vows of chastity, her own missing eye returned to her as though it had never been lost.
The famous cross synonymous with the saint is usually made from rushes – a grass-like plant found in Ireland. Duinn, Seán (2005). The Rites of Brigid: Goddess and Saint. Dublin, IE: The Columbia Press. ISBN 1-85607-483-8. Although this symbol is now associated with Christianity, its history could be far older. What Is The Symbolic Meaning Of St Brigid’s Cross? Possessing the gift of poetry, she also inspired bards and musicians with her creative energy. Furthermore, Brigid’s association with healing made her a patron of physicians and practitioners of herbal medicine.Although they take place at different points of the season, the weaving of Brigid's cross is associated with other rituals in which the last sheaf of that year's harvest is woven into intricate shape. [30] In County Armagh, for instance, the harvest season involves the weaving of Harvest Knots and Harvest Stars, the former of which involves a lozenge shape similar to that of Brigid's cross. [31] These "last sheaf" celebrations are collectively known as the Cailleach. [32] As a national symbol [ edit ] The first RTÉ logo, designed in 1961 Widely believed to be a Christian symbol, Brigid’s Cross is tied to Brigid of the Tuatha de Danaan, which, in Irish Celtic Mythology, is known as a life-giving goddess. Once blessed by a Catholic priest, St Brigids’ crosses symbolize protection, particularly from fire, evil spirits, and hunger. This is why they are hung around the home. They are used to protect the home from these devastating evils. Read More: 5 Inspirational Women Who Influenced the Politics and Culture of Ireland The Christian Origins of Saint Brigid’s Cross
Traditionally made from rushes, a bog plant with hollow, cylindrical stems, St Brigid’s cross is often made using straw or reeds if rushes cannot be found. Each arm is then tied with straw, rushes, or string to give this symbol its stoic and stable look. It was believed that good weather on the 1st February was an omen of bad to come, while a rainy month of February indicated a good summer. Whatever the guess, St Brigid’s day occurred at a time of a slightly improved climate and a stretch in the length of the day. Finally, people could look forward to brighter things after a winter of cold and dark.She was an intellectual dairymaid, a cultured cowherd, a field-labourer who was patron of art and letters, a shepherdess who had learning. According to the Book of Lismore, "The comradeship of the world's sons of reading is with Brigid..." The Brigid’s Cross is a religious symbol which is usually woven from rushes. The traditional design has four arms which are tied at the end and a woven square found in the middle. St. Brigid of Kildare. Image Source: Wikipedia. Who was St. Brigid? Following Herstory's successful 3 year campaign, Brigid’s Day is Ireland’s new national holiday - the first named in honour of a woman: Brigid, our matron Saint and Celtic Goddess and a celebration of all mná. Herstory ran a petition, lobbied politicians, and produced an annual Festival of Light on Brigid’s Day to generate the perfect media storm.
In 1942, the Irish Folklore Commission created a questionnaire regarding the Feast of Saint Brigid, during which they collected several hundred Brigid's crosses. [37] In 2022, the Commission selected a sample of 21 of these crosses to be displayed at the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life in Castlebar. The display coincided with an announcement from the Irish government that 1 February would be declared a national holiday. [29] See also [ edit ] Interestingly the term “how to make Brigid’s cross” comes up all the time. I will have more on it later in this post. The many stories of Saint Brigid speak of her miraculous activities during her lifetime. Such as when she fell from a horse and hit her head. Her blood mixed with the water on the ground and two sisters, who had no hearing, suddenly regained the ability to hear.Saint Brigid's cheif establishment on the grassy plain of the Curragh in Kildare became a double monastery of monks and nuns under her direction. Its activities included a famous school of metal-work, but mainly the legends show her as busy over tubs of home-brewed aleor making butter in the dairy; she herds cows and sheep, she supervises the reapers in a harvest field. Many of the attributes of the goddess were transferred to the saint. The Celtic festival of Imbolc was renamed St Brigid’s Day and the making and displaying of Brigid’s Crosses merged with the ‘new’ Christian celebration on February 1st. Laughing at Brigid's small cloak, the King agreed; but when Brigid's four sisters took the cloak and began turning in circles with it, it grew and spread in all directions, covering many acres of land until it almost covered the whole province of Leinster.
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