The Saint Brigid's cross has four protruding arms with a woven square in the middle. It is said that the cross has a pre-Christian origin. It is also considered that it is associated with the Christian saint Brigid of Kildare, Ireland. She was one of the patron saints. It is a tradition in Ireland to make these crosses on Saint Brigid's feast day, 1st February.


Traditionally this cross is woven with rushes and hung in the doorway or window for the year, it is then burned and then replaced with a freshly woven cross the following year.
Goddess Brigid was one of main deities of the pre-Christian Gaelic Ireland. The first day of February was known as her feast day, which was called Imbolc. The day used to mark the beginning of Spring.

The Christian blessing: "May the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost be on this Cross and on the place where it hangs and on everyone who looks on it."

Some natural drying and colour change will occur. I continue to find innovative ways to work with this natural happening. You are welcome to tighten the cross if necessary. I now dry my rushes before the weaving process and add a little glue to counteract this.

It is tradition to burn your cross at Imbolc and fashion a new one for the coming year.