Brigid's cross
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Brigid's cross, Brighid's cross, or Brigit's cross, or Crosóg Brigde(in Irish) is an old Irish symbol, probably derivative of the pagan sunwheel. They are usually made from rushes and less often straw. It contains a woven square in the centre and four radials which are tied at the ends.
Many rituals are associated with the making of the crosses. These are often still carried out today and many Irish homes still feature Brigid's crosses. A common belief throughout Ireland is that a Brigid's Cross protects the house from fire.
Brigid's crosses are associated with the Irish saint Brigid (who was given the name of the Celtic fire-goddess by her pagan father) and are constructed on the saint's feast day (1 February, Lá Fhéile Bhríde/Imbolc).
Brigid's cross (sometimes stylized) was used to represent Telefís Éireann and RTÉ 1 (later RTÉ One); in 1961 to 1987 and 1993 to 2000 as it is an unofficial symbol of Ireland.
[edit] Story is as follows:
St. Brigid and her cross are linked together by the story that she wove this form of cross at the death bed of either her father or a pagan lord, who upon hearing what the cross meant, asked to be baptized. One version goes as follows:
A pagan chieftain from the neighborhood of Kildare was dying. Christians in his household sent for Brigid to talk to him about Christ. When she arrived the chieftain was raving. As it was impossible to instruct this delirious man, hopes for his conversion seemed doubtful. Brigid sat down at his bedside and began consoling him. As was customary, the dirt floor was strewn with rushes both for warmth and cleanliness. Brigid stooped down and started to weave them into a cross, fastening the points together. The sick man asked what she was doing. She began to explain the cross, and as she talked his delirium quieted and he questioned her with growing interest. Through her weaving, he converted and was baptized at the point of death. Since then the cross of rushes has been venerated in Ireland.
