Today is St. Brigid’s Day and all across Ireland people still adhere to the old
tradition of mounting a St Brigid’s cross in a place of honor in their home, to protect against fire and evil spirits. The origins of the cross are the topic of today’s post.
St. Brigid is attributed with creating the distinctive form of the cross which bears her name. Known as an Irish christian symbol, the original design was probably inspired by the pagan sunwheel.
The cross is most frequently made from rushes, but sometimes straw is used. A distinctive square of woven rushes is the centerpiece, from which four radials extend, each tied at the end.
As a school child in Ireland in the 1970’s we learned an old legend about how this cross came into existence. St. Brigid took on mythical significance in our young imaginations. We grew to love and admire her independent spirit, her determination and dedication to God. Here’s how the old tale goes.
An old pagan chieftan lay delirious on his deathbed in Kildare. In some versions of the story this chieftan is her father. His servants summoned Brigid to his bedside, in the hope this saintly woman might be able to calm his restless spirit.
As she sat by his bedside, trying to calm and console him, she picked up some of the rushes which were strewn across the floor of the room. As her fingers played with the dry strands, she started weaving them together, eventually forming a cross.
As she worked she explained the meaning of the cross to the sick man. Her calming words brought peace to his soul. The chieftan’s fever broke, and he grew quiet. Captivated by her lesson of love and enlightenment, the old chieftan was baptized as a christian, just before his death.
Once word of his conversion reached beyond his lands, news spread fast. Ever since, Irish people have made rush crosses to commemorate the occasion.
Boxty Pancakes – A St. Brigid’s Day Tradition
Happy St. Brigid’s Day to all. You may want to celebrate by making Boxty pancakes, a traditional food served on this day.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Irish American Mom
Aimee says
February 1, 2013 at 3:42 pmI decided to make boxty to go with our dinner tonight! What a lucky coincidence!
Irish American Mom says
February 1, 2013 at 4:34 pmAimee – Your Irishness is showing through – your subconscious probably knew today was the day for Boxty. Enjoy.
Mairead
Katie says
November 18, 2013 at 7:22 pmThank you for your posting on St. Bridget. It is a cross and a saint I always admired, but needed to refresh my information. My sister returned from a recent visit to Ireland, and sent me a surprise. The CROSS. I am delighted to have this wonderful Irish treasure~I will have to try the boxty, too. Thank YOU!
Irish American Mom says
November 19, 2013 at 6:11 pmDear Katie – How wonderful your sister picked a St. Brigid’s Cross for you on her trip to Ireland. May St. Brigid bless you and watch over you, now and always. Thanks so much for visiting my website.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Brigid McGrath says
February 9, 2014 at 1:53 pmI give a St. Brigid’s cross to anyone moving into a new home.
I love my Patron Saint and my name. People more often say to me that I spell
my name wrong or oh, B-r-i-g-i-d what an odd spelling.
We know that is not true.
Best to all,
Brigid
Irish American Mom says
February 10, 2014 at 5:13 pmWhat a lovely tradition, Brigid. A St. Brigid’s Cross is a perfect gift for anyone moving into a new home.
Thanks so much for checking out my website.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Druid Carraig says
February 1, 2015 at 10:57 pmHi, Thank you for remembering Bridget’s Day. I am so happy to know that people still celebrate the ancient ways. Yes, you are accurate in stating that her cross has Pagan origins. It really has nothing to do with Christian traditions. Bridget’s Cross represents the cycling of the sun through the heavens. As Christianity began assimilating Celtic holidays and traditions as a means of converting Celts to Christianity, this myth, most likely originating from the reigning pope at the time, was used to expedite the process. Similarly, the myth of St. Patrick and the three leaf clover as a means he used to explain the trinity to Pagans in Ireland.
Myths are quite common in every religion and spirituality, even Druidism. They do serve many purposes and have been used for centuries.
Druid Carraig (pronounced “Karick” which is a Gaelic name)
Princeton, NJ
Irish American Mom says
February 2, 2015 at 1:21 pmHi Druid – thanks for adding such interesting facts to this little discussion about St. Brigid. Stories of this favorite daughter of Ireland are definitely a mixture of loose facts, peppered with myths and legends. She is celebrated to this very day in Ireland and in parts of County Kerry the locals go “on the Biddy”. They dress up in straw costumes and go from house to house with a statue of St. Brigid. They sing and dance and perform at each stop along the way.
Best wishes and thanks for stopping by.
Mairead
karen m. o'connell says
October 27, 2015 at 2:26 pmDruid: thank you for your entry. i have worn the ”irish cross” to the exclusion of all other symbols for the past 15 years. my choice has very little to do with my irish-american ethnicity. for me, the cross is the symbol of ”continuity” in our eons long search for the Lord’s presence among us. i believe that before Bridget, the cross was a sign of the Goddess of Spring (name escapes me) and i have also read that the cross became a way for christians to surreptitiously identify themselves during the Viking/Norsemen invasion.
Robert Yuhasz says
March 22, 2017 at 9:27 pmWe had a speaker at our church today who spoke about Sts. Brendan, Patrick and Brigid. I am Slovak on my dad’s side and Scotch Irish on mom’s. I know nothing of my heritages. I attended the discussion out of curiosity. St. Brigid’s discussion fascinated me so I wanted to find out more. When I googled, your info came up about her cross. Very interesting Glad I attended and glad I read your info. My wife, who passed six years ago was Irish full blood. She had that cross over our front door and I never knew what it was. The cross is still there. I never removed it after her death.
Irish American Mom says
March 26, 2017 at 5:34 pmHi Robert – I’m so glad you were introduced to St. Brigid, a strong Irish woman whose legacy is still with us to this very day. I’m so sorry to learn you lost your wife, but it’s lovely that you continued her devotion to St. Brigid by keeping her St. Brigid’s Cross hanging over your front door.
May the blessings of St. Brigid be with you always.
Take care,
Mairéad
Linda M Eerebout Unitaus says
April 14, 2018 at 6:10 pmOf the Brannon Black Ball Lineage
Just discovered St Bridget was a mystic
Practicing my Faith thru the 15 prayers
Irish American Mom says
April 15, 2018 at 5:03 pmHi Linda – St. Bridget of Sweden and St. Brigid of Ireland were both strong women of deep faith. The 15 prayers of St. Bridget are a wonderful way to practice your Faith. St. Bridget was one of the great mystics of the Church and I believe Jesus appeared to her to teach her the 15 prayers. St. Brigid of Ireland was also a great mystic healer. I too like learning about the saints. Ireland has many saints whose stories I need to explore further.
All the best,
Mairéad