St. Brigid's Cross | 9.5" x 9.5" x 1" | Made in Ireland | All Handcrafted, All Natural Saint Brigid's Cross | Mounted On Unique Irish Scenic History Card

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But the whole point about Saint Brigid is that possibly no one has ever combined so successfully the roles of Martha and Mary, for she was a contemplative, too. Face to face with her, we have to learn again how to link qualities falsely dissociated in the industrial age. St Brigid was born in AD 450 in Faughart, near Dundalk in County Louth. Her father, Dubhthach, was a pagan chieftain of Leinster and her mother, Broicsech, was a Christian. One of the most notable aspects of Brigid’s character was her nurturing and compassionate nature. She embodied the qualities of hospitality, offering solace to weary travellers and protection to those in need. Brigid became a Christian saint

This holy sign is still used the same way it was all those years ago. Once woven, the cross is placed above the doorway of a home on the 1st of February to protect it from evil spirits, death, hunger, disease and fire.

Both battles of Moytura pitted the Tuatha Dé Danann against earlier settlers of Ireland. The first ended in a victory over the Firbolg in County Galway, as well as the annexation of Connacht. In County Sligo, the Tuatha Dé Danann faced off against the Fomorions, fearsome giants of hideous appearance and abhorrent cruelty. This battle, too, was a victory for the Tuatha Dé Danann, though it came at a great price. Brigid’s father, the Dagda, was mortally wounded and died after returning to his home. Though Brigid’s son Ruadán slew the smith-god Giobhniu, he succumbed in the battle as well. Brigid rushed to the battlefield to mourn her son. From her lips came a loud lament known as keening. This act was the first time sorrow had been felt in Ireland, and it birthed a solemn tradition. Henceforth, Irish women would keen at the graves of their dead. Folktales of Healing and Inspiration 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? She was a spirited youth activist, feminist and environmentalist who fearlessly championed the rights of the poor and animals. There are legends of how the young Brigid would take butter and food from her mother’s pantry and gift it to the poor.

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. From RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland, Fiona Byrne from the Ulster Folk Museum on a new public holiday to mark St. Brigid's Day 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.The cross itself is considered an ancient fire wheel symbol, which would explain its use as a protector from evil, fire, and hunger.