The Tradition of Saint Brigid's Cross
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 Voodoo 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.
Download Music Inspired By St. Brigit
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).
How to Make a St. Brigid's Cross - Step By Step Instructins to Make a St. Brigid's Cross
Rushes were traditionally used to make the St. Brigid's Cross. These were collected from wetlands and cut into pieces, 8-12 inches long. As rushes are often not available, straw, wheat, vines, or another easily bendable material can be used in its place.
- 3 Methods
Three methods for how to make a Traditional St. Briget's Cross
How to Make a St. Bridgid's Cross - Step by Step Videos Demonstrating How to Make a St. Bridgid's Crosses
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
How do you see Brigid?
Do you think of Saint Brigid as a Celtic Goddess or as a Christian Saint?
Variations of Brigid's Cross - Local Twists on Brigid's Cross
Learn about the different versions of Brigid's Cross which are specific to areas in Ireland.
- 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.
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.
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!
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:
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St. Brigid's Cross Guestbook
Thank you for such an interesting Hub. It presents information not usually found together as well as several ideas for projects.
Interesting story! Makes me want to make one now.
interesting ... a matter of one letter "d" versus "t" in a name... thanks for the insight
This is the first I've heard of St Brigid, but her cross sure has an interesting design, and story woven around it...
Really informative lens. Love Brighid. Thank you.
I was looking for information about Brigid's Cross to put on my Squidoo lens about Brigid for the yearly Imbolc update and was tickled to find another lens about it! I see you made the voodoo connection too. I've featured this lens on mine. 5*
That's a beautiful cross :)
I'm not really up on Saints or Celtic legends, so this is all new to me. Thanks, I learned a lot!
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