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. Brigid’s Cross design, made from woven rushes, is thought to keep evil, fire and hunger from the homes in which it is displayed, however the tale of its creation is somewhat confused, and there is not one definitive version. When you are ready to place the last length of rush, push out the folded piece that runs at right-angles to it.

Brigid’s Crosses were intricately woven from rushes and sometimes straw, consisting of a central square surrounded by four arms at right angles. Born in Dundalk in 450 AD, St Brigid is accredited with first creating the unique cross which bears her name.Brigid’s life after she entered the church is shrouded in mystery, but it’s widely known that she founded a monastery in Kildare later on. She embodied the qualities of hospitality, offering solace to weary travellers and protection to those in need. The cross became a lasting part of Irish culture, and it was even the logo of RTÉ, Ireland’s national broadcasting TV station, for quite some time.

Brigid's Day, February 1, is when Ireland remembers the Celtic goddess Brigid and her immense power in both the Irish mythological and religious imagination. We collect and process your personal data for the purposes of informing you of our products and services. Throughout Ireland, the cross is associated with the arrival of springtime and with Ireland’s goddess, venerable Saint Brigid of Kildare. Please remember to obtain a Proof of Posting Certificate from the Post Office or equivalent as we cannot be held responsible for items lost in the post.In many homes in Ireland, people will make a traditional cross from fresh-cut rushes on the eve of St. The cross of rushes may indeed be an adaptation of an older woven symbol, which along with Brigid, may have been transfigured into a Christian saint by early Irish pilgrims to ease the conversion or Irish pagans to Christianity.

If you want to make a cross that will last, you will need to use stems that have already been dried and soak them for a short while beforehand.She also healed a man with leprosy, exorcised demons, tamed a boar, and calmed storms, among others. Brigid’s influence spanned diverse domains, making her a central figure in Irish folklore and culture. Sanctuary Polish is made using genuine turpentine, following a traditional recipe which is sure to nourish and protect all manner of home furnishings from dining room tables to parquet floors.

com/Irishfolklore and feel free to leave pics of your completed crosses in the comments of the facebook post.He was so enamoured by her words that the old Chieftain requested he be baptized as a Christian just before his passing. Laypeople, on the other hand, content themselves with hanging her cross at springtime, and her legacy continues to be present in homes all over the country. One of the customs associated with Brigid of Kildare's feast day was to hang Brigid's crosses in the rafters or over entryways of buildings, thus invoking the saint's blessing and protection for the remainder of the year. The RTÉ logo underwent nine redesigns between 1962 and 1987, with the cross taking varying levels of prominence compared to the station name. People continued to craft the cross from rushes but it acquired new symbolism within the context of the Christian faith.