Born into slavery, Brigid’s parentage has been widely debated but the most accepted theory is that her mother, Brocca, was a slave who had been baptized by St Patrick. The monastery would become extremely successful, partly because it catered to both nuns and monks as well as laypeople. As he negotiated with the king, she took her father’s rare and beautiful sword and gave it to a leper. Brigid is said to have sat by his bed, consoling and calming him and it is here that she picked up the rushes from the floor and began weaving them into the distinctive cross pattern. Brigid’s Cross popping up everywhere, whether as a symbol in posters or an ornament hanging from doorways.

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

The woven square centerpiece of the cross features four arms that extend outwards in a simple criss-cross pattern. 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. Because she was constantly feeding and healing the pour, she developed a reputation for being kind and generous. The directions I found said to soak the raffia in warm water before beginning, but I skipped that step and it seemed to work just fine.

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. Many Celtic silversmiths have created a traditional and more modern version of this symbol to be worn as necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings. You could use the worksheet for an activity to do with the whole class, so your children can follow each step together.

History and Meaning of St Brigid’s Cross - Ireland Wide

From a religious perspective, she was one of the few saints who straddled both Paganism and Christianity. Another appeal of her monastery was its focus on manual labor through tasks such as dairy farming and raising sheep rather than on prayer alone. This activity can help children to practise mindfulness too, since they’re focusing on one task while switching off from other distractions.and children learn early on about its purpose and history because they’re taught how to make it at school. If you want to discover more about this fascinating Irish woman and the legacy she left across the world, head to this Wikipedia page for additional information. 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.

The Meaning Of St Brigid’s Cross And How To Make It - Harreira The Meaning Of St Brigid’s Cross And How To Make It - Harreira

Furthermore, a distinctive square made from woven rushes lies at the center from which three arms extend and tied and fastened at the end. The traditional placement was on the inside of a thatched roof, above the front door, but in modern times, you can simply hang it on the inside of your front door or over the doorway. She continued to be charitable, donating her father’s possessions—much to his chagrin—to anyone who asked, including the poor. Trying to bring comfort to the dying man, Brigid picked up rushes from the floor and began to make a cross while explaining its symbolism.While customs during this day have evolved over the years, from placing bread on windowsills to lighting a bonfire, there is one aspect of it that has remained consistent over the years: St. Today, the Saint Brigid’s cross is an integral part of the devotion to the woman whose life was recorded by Irish monks in the 8 th century.