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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However, much like many other Celtic symbols, this cross has made its way into more modern iterations. 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. Using some elastic bands, wrap the pieces of straw pointing each way together, so you have four ends pointing in different directions. My 5 year old was able to weave a St. Brigid’s cross (with a little help) and she was very proud! I’m going to recommend this craft for everyone ages 5 and up! (Lydia’s is on the left, and mine is on the right. I think it made it easier than we used the same colors as we went so I could say things like “now we need the yellow one to point up.”)

St Brigids Cross - Etsy UK St Brigids Cross - Etsy UK

The traditional St. Brigid's Cross is made from reeds or rushes and is designed to be temporary. ( Culnacreann / Wikimedia Commons) Ireland is known as the land of saints and scholars, painters and poets. Indeed, many famous names and artistic and religious icons are tied to our cultural heritage. Since that day, and for the centuries that followed, it has been customary on the eve of her FeastDay (1st February) for the Irish people to fashion a St. Brigid's Cross of straw or rushes and place it inside the house over the door.In addition, the day of celebration to mark Saint Brigid falls on the same feast day for the Celtic goddess Brigid: the traditional Gaelic festival of Imbolc. Popular legend tells us that she was the daughter of Dagda, who belonged to the Tuatha De Danann, a race of people who were the island’s first inhabitants. ST BRIGID Celtic Goddess Crystal Candle • Bride Irish Goddess of Spring & Renewal • Catholic Christian Saint Brigit • Lapis Lazuli • Jade

St Brigid’s Cross: the meaning and history of the Irish symbol

Brighid was the goddess of fire. She is associated with Spring, fertility, new life, and the protection of poets and healers. She has been celebrated on the first day of Spring which falls on the 1st of February for centuries, although the pagan name for this feast day celebration is Imbolc. Brigid appears in texts from the 10 th century, but at some point, the story of the pagan Brigid seems to have merged with the Christian Brigid, who was actually born in 451 A.D. because the saint shares many of the goddess’s attributes, including wisdom, poetry, healing, and protection. Unlike many other symbols, the cross is simple and does not feature any of the knot-like Celtic patterns we are used to. The woven square centerpiece of the cross features four arms that extend outwards in a simple criss-cross pattern.My DD1 is named for St. Brigid (and we spell it Brigid.) I keep forgetting to celebrate her feast day but thanks to your blog we will remember and make these! Why, you may wonder, does this cross look different from most others. The story of how the first St Brigid’s Cross came to be is an interesting one. Of all the Irish Celtic symbols we know and love, Saint Brigid’s cross is still utilized in many Irish homes around the island of Ireland. I decided to experiment with several materials to see what made the best cross. Here are a few I made out of colored raffia. Loop one of the bent stems around the middle of the vertical stem, making sure the ends point to the right. Loop the next bent stem around the first arm and ensure it is pointing upwards. Place the next bent stem around the upward arm to make sure it is looking to the left. Create the final arm by placing a bent stem downwards around the left arm. Repeating these steps about three to four times enlarges the size of your cross, but you have to make sure that you begin on the right and underneath the arm.