What is a Brigid's Cross?

We love sharing unique Irish and Celtic designs with our friends around the globe. And the Brigid's Cross is one of our favorites. It is a beautiful symbol of Ireland with ties to Irish history and Celtic mythology. Read on to find out what makes a Brigid's Cross, and how you might get one for yourself.

A Cross woven from rushes or reeds

The Brigid's cross, along with the shamrock and the harp, is a distinctive symbol of Ireland. Crosses of all shapes and sizes, some with three arms, others with four, were woven from reeds or rushes and hung in homes and stables to protect the health of people and livestock. Their main defining feature is the material and techniques used to make them, rather than their form, though the most popular these days features a diamond shape at it's center with four arms radiating out.

The cross is crafted from rushes or straw pulled from the ground, never cut, on January 31st, the eve of St. Brigid’s day and the Celtic festival of Imbolc. Woven left to right, after the movement of the sun, this technique can be tricky to master. Practiced weavers produce crosses with a tightly layered diamond or square at its center with four arms, each tied at the ends. The cross is attributed to the Christian saint, Brigid of Kildaire, but there is plenty of evidence to suggest this symbol and the practice of making and hanging these crosses has ties to much older pagan traditions.

The story of the Cross

So the story of the lovely cross which bears the name of St. Brigid has several tellings. The most famous recounts the beloved Brigid weaving a cross from rushes that were covering the floor at the bedside of a dying pagan chieftain. In some tellings this is her father. As Brigid explained the cross, her words soothed the dying man and he was moved to be baptized before passing away in peace. The older traditions of the cross are linked to the Celtic goddess Brigid, and a symbol of the sun, growth and fertility.

Brigid Cross Traditions

Crosses were traditionally made on the eve of Brigids Day, January 31st, from fresh rushes. Families would sit and chat by the fire as they worked, producing crosses for their own home or stables as well as crosses to gift to friends and relatives who lived farther afield. Today it is still a common sight to see a Brigid's Cross hung over the door in Irish homes and people gathering at holy wells or Brigid's monastery in Kildare to collect rushes or even make crosses for their homes.

A powerful symbol

As a symbol of home, health and protection, many also carry a cross with them when they travel. Smaller crosses, including jewelry were and still are popular gifts for those off on a big trip! Friends would also gift Brigid's crosses to incur blessings and strengthen connections and was a popular choice for those making a new house a home. A Brigid's Cross was also a go to gift for young couples and newlyweds too, given its association with the Goddess Brigid and Brigid the patron of fertility. So a powerful symbol all round.

A Traditional St. Brigid's Blessing

Through our St. Brigid’s Cross jewelry, we are delighted to support and continue these wonderful traditions, 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

Fancy having a go yourself? We have a step by step video of how to make your own Brigid's Cross below. You can try it out using rushes, reeds, straws or even pipe-cleaners if you can't get your hands on anything else.

A few years back, the My Irish Jeweler team welcomed avid folklorist and storyteller, Margo to the workshop to give us instructions on how to make our very own St. Brigid’s Crosses from rushes rather than silver or gold. Watch below as we make valiant attempts while Margo expertly tells us all about the tradition of St. Brigid.

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.