Brigid's Cross

By Crusader1307

A facet of Ancient Ireland and it’s original Christianization from Paganism, The ‘’Brigid Cross’’ is made from river (plant) rushes (reeds). While still green, rushes are hand woven into a Cross with a central square base. The crossbeams of the Cross are often not of the same length or dimension. Crude, many hundreds are constructed by people and displayed as a type of ‘’Good Luck’’ device (over doorways, entrances etc.) They are placed on St. Brigid’s Feast Day (February 1st). The origins (and there are several), states that evangelized in Ireland in the 6th Century AD. She came across a Pagan Man, suffering from some illness. Feverish, Brigid built a fire and tried to doctor. As it was cold, and She had no blanket – Bridgid noticed The Man had cut reeds on His floor. Bridgid began to weave may hundreds of small Crosses, placing each on the floor, until they covered it. All the while, Brigid told of the benefits of Christ. The Man became well and converted to Brigid’s Belief’s – seeing the many small Crosses as the true ‘’symbol’’ of Christianity. Since, they are named for Her.