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Secrets of St. Brigid's Day - Imbolc, a Celtic Goddess and a Saint
Written by Ciaran Vipond on Jan 09, 2024 | 4 Comments
February 1st is St. Brigid’s day and the Celtic start of spring in Ireland. It's marked by a national bank holiday here in honor of our female patron saint - the first public holiday to celebrate a woman here in Ireland. But just who was Brigid? An ancient Celtic goddess or a christian saint? And spring in February? How can that be!?
A Celtic Goddess
Long before the saint, there was Brigid the Celtic goddess of poetry, healing, fertility, domestic animals and the forge. Daughter of the Dagda, the king of the otherworldly, Tuatha Dé Danann, Brigid was a powerful and loved goddess.
The Coming of Bride
Photo Credit: John Duncan (1917) Public Domain
Imbolc
Half way between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, the Celtic festival of Imbolc was marked by honoring Brigid with feasts and bonfires, in the hopes that the coming growing season would be fruitful. With traditions recorded in mythology and medieval texts, the word Imbolc translates as "in the belly" in old Irish.
The cyclical Celtic calendar
Brigid's feast day marked the beginning of spring and new life in the Celtic calendar. Rush crosses of all shapes and sizes, often with three arms, and small figures of Brigid, Brídeóg, were fashioned and hung in homes and stables to protect the health of people and livestock.
A variety of Brigid's crosses made of rushes.
Photo Credit: ©Jane Brideson
A Christian Saint
Many years later came St. Brigid of Kildare, who was reportedly born a slave in Dundalk around 451 AD. Through hard work and clear focus, she rose to become a nun, abbess and a founder of several monasteries, most notably in Kildare.
A stained glass window by Michael Healy, in the National Gallery if Ireland. Brigid can be seen cradling her monastery with the round tower that is still present in Kildare today.
Photo Credit: J. Chadwick
She educated hundreds of women who otherwise would have gone without, and refused an arranged marriage to instead dedicate her life to charity.
St. Brigid's Cross
The story of the lovely cross which bears her name has several tellings. The most famous recounts Brigid weaving a cross from rushes that were covering the floor at the bedside of a dying pagan chieftain, who in some tellings is her father. As St. Brigid explained the cross, her words soothed the dying man and he was moved to be baptized before passing away in peace.
St. Brigid is said to have peacefully passed away herself on February 1st, AD 523. In the centuries that followed, Irish people have celebrated her and the older Imbolc that went before, by making and displaying rush crosses to bless their house and home each year on this day. St. Brigid is now recognized as one of the three patron saints of Ireland, along with Patrick and Colmcille. A recent campaign successfully established her feast day as a national holiday in 2023.
People muffled up for the cold, making crosses with rushes at St. Brigid's Well.
Photo Credit: Liscannorman CC-ASA-3.0
Brigid Today
With time and the retelling, the mythology of the Celtic goddess and the Saint have become inextricably linked. Like many things in Ireland, the details depend on who is doing the telling and we may never fully know the truth of this enigmatic figure.
St. Brigid's Cross: A symbol of Ireland
St. Brigid's cross, along with the shamrock and the harp, is a distinctive symbol of Ireland that can trace it’s roots back to Celtic mythology. Crafted from rushes or straw pulled from the ground on January 31st, the eve of St. Brigid’s day, the cross is woven left to right, after the movement of the sun. It has a layered square at its center with four arms radiating out, each one tied at the ends.
A Traditional St. Brigid's Blessing
It is this wonderful history that inspired the design of our St. Brigid’s Crosses, recreating the intricate woven texture of rushes in silver and gold.
A traditional blessing for St. Brigid Cross is “May the blessing of God and the Trinity be on this cross and where it rests and on everyone who looks at it.” And if you fancy a cross of your own you could always have a go at making one.
Learn How to Make Your Own Brigid's Cross
The My Irish Jeweler team welcomed avid folklorist and storyteller, Margo to the workshop a few years ago to give instructions on how to make our very own St. Brigid’s Crosses. Watch below as we make valiant attempts while Margo expertly tells us all about the tradition of St. Brigid, or follow our video tutorial.
A St. Brigid's cross to treasure forever
If you aren't a natural crafter, browse our selection of Brigid's Cross necklaces and brooches for a piece you can treasure forever and wear year round. Please do get in touch with us and we would be delighted to help you identify the right choice for you.
Stylish St. Brigid Crosses
Double Sided St Brigid Cross
$135.00
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Ciaran Vipond
My Irish Jeweler
Born in Co. Antrim and reared in Dublin, I was fascinated with Gaelic culture from an early age. I suppose it's not surprising given my mother inherited a grá for the Irish language from my grandfather, an Irish school headmaster. And that grá continues! My brother and sister are now Gaelic teachers here in Ireland, my niece is an award winning Irish dancer, and I proudly work to share Irish culture through our Irish and Celtic Jewelry at My Irish Jeweler!
I love researching and reading about the history of Irish design. It's at the core of what we do here at My Irish Jeweler. I find much of it so interesting that I have to share what I find. I hope you enjoy it!
Comments
I enjoyed reading about St. Brigid. My son's birthday was Feb. 1st and his name is Patrick Joseph Kennelly lV. He would have lived hearing about this. His apt was next to a catholic church with a celtic cross on the spire. He use to sit outside at night looking at it. Thank you
Thank you for sharing your son's story with us, Louise. We're honored to hear how our friends around the world have found strength and connection in their Irish roots.
Ask Gemma
I LOVE your sharing of Gaelic history, language and lore, Ciaran! I am so happy to learn
more of the history of St. Brigid. Some of our family were visiting Ireland last May and we were told for the first time St. Brigid would be honored with a holiday on her name , but the person telling us was not sure of the date. I love St. Brigid's cross and proudly wear mine very frequently. Daily, I weary beloved Claddagh ring , given to me on the occasion of my Confirmation in October of 1962. It was purchased from the first jeweler in the States to offer the Claddagh Michael C Tully, whose store was on Third Avenue in New York.
Again, thank you so much for sharing your gra of all things Irish!