Celebrating St. Brigid's Day Traditions
At Walker Metalsmiths we follow the tradition of making a new Saint Brigid cross design every year. The feast day of Saint Brigid is February 1st, marking the beginning of the spring season of Imbolc—a time of renewal and light returning to the world.
The Ancient Tradition of St. Brigid's Cross
The folk custom of weaving a cross out of grass or reeds is done in memory of the story about how Brigid made a similar cross herself from the rushes on the floor while telling the story of Christ's Passion at the bedside of a dying pagan chieftain. The woven grass cross is displayed over the door or hearth, invoking Brigid's blessing on the home, while last year's cross is traditionally fed to the family cow or horse for good luck.
A reed cross photographed at Saint Brigid's well on Dun I, Isle of Iona, Scotland
Our Annual St. Brigid's Cross Tradition
Our jewelry making process takes longer than weaving straw, so we start our annual cross projects in the week before February 1st. Feeding gold or silver jewelry to your animals is not likely to go well, so we advise our customers to treat their Saint Brigid crosses as heirlooms—to be kept for a lifetime and passed to future generations, just as these stories and traditions have been passed on to us from previous generations.
Stephen Walker at Saint Brigid's well on Dun I, Isle of Iona, Scotland, 2017. Saint Brigid's well is a pool of water near the summit of Dun I, the highest point on the island. This remarkable pool of water is believed to have healing properties and was described in the 1905 classic Celtic Revival book "Isle of Dreams" by Fiona MacLeod.
Who Was Saint Brigid?
Brigid lived in the 5th and 6th centuries in Ireland. Along with Patrick and Columba, she is considered one of Ireland's three patron saints. Many customs and legends are associated with Brigid:
- Said to have been baptized by Saint Patrick near the end of his earthly life
- Believed to have travelled through time to give care and assistance at the birth of Christ
- Performed many miracles and acts of kindness and devotion
- Founded a monastery in Kildare that became a center of learning and spirituality
- Associated with fire, healing wells, and the return of spring
Imbolc: The Celtic Spring Festival
February 1st marks Imbolc (pronounced "IM-olk"), one of the four major Celtic seasonal festivals. It celebrates the midpoint between winter solstice and spring equinox—the first stirrings of spring, the lengthening days, and the return of light. Brigid, as a goddess of fire and fertility before becoming a Christian saint, presides over this threshold time of transformation and new beginnings.
Shop St. Brigid's Cross Jewelry
Honor the tradition of Ireland's beloved saint with our handcrafted St. Brigid's cross jewelry. Each design is created with reverence for this ancient custom, made to become a treasured heirloom passed through generations.
Traditional & modern crosses
Heirloom quality designs
New each February 1st
Learn More About Celtic Traditions
Explore the rich symbolism and history behind Celtic jewelry. Read about Celtic Cross history and symbolism or discover our complete Celtic Cross collection.
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