St Brigid's Cross Bronze Framed Art by Rynhart, County Cork

RRP €43.50
Current Sale €39.15 (until 18th January)

At checkout use code
TIG2017BC to receive an extra
15% discount
You pay €33.28

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'Prayer to St. Brigid' Greeting Card
RRP €2.99
Current sale €2.70 (until 18th January)

At checkout use code
TIG2017BC to receive an extra
15% discount
You pay €2.29

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The St. Brigid's Cross has a strong tradition in Irish culture and folklore and traditionally is a new home gift, hung in homes to protect from fire and evil.

This Irish Cross represents Ireland's 2nd patron saint, St. Brigid, famed for her love and generosity to the poor, her feast day is 1st February.

Brigid was requested to sit with a pagan chieftain in Kildare, who was delirious and raging on his death-bed. The Chieftain was so delirious it was impossible for Brigid to talk to him, so she just sat with and comforted him. Brigid began to weave rushes from the floor into the shape of a cross. The Chieftain quietened as he began to notice Brigid and he asked what she was doing. With the help of the cross Brigid explained the story of Christ and the cross. The Chieftain was impressed with what Brigid had to say and he converted and was baptised just before he died. From then on this cross become known as the St. Brigid’s Cross and St. Brigid used it to explain Christ to other pagans.

Others believe this style of cross was first used by Brid, the Celtic Goddess of Fire, long before Christianity and that the cross was inspired by the pagan symbol of the sun-wheel.

Either way, the belief still holds true to this day that the St. Brigid’s Cross protects a house from fire and evil. Traditionally, a new cross is made each year on St. Brigid’s feast day, and the old one burned to ward off fire, although many homes in olden days kept all their crosses preserved in the thatched roofs, as fire would have been a huge concern for houses that had thatch and wooden roofs. The Brigid’s Cross is usually made from rushes and reeds or straw and is a woven centre square with four spokes, which are tied at their ends. Hung near the front door, the St. Brigid’s Cross is traditionally an Irish gift for a new home.

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