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Solid Sterling Silver on a silver chain.
1 1/2" x 1" pendant size.
St. Brigid, also known as “Mary of the Gael”, is an abbess and patroness of Ireland. She is furthermore the founder of the first Irish monastery in County Kildare, Ireland. Born in Dundalk, St Brigid is accredited with first creating the unique cross which bears her name. This cross is normally hand created from rushes or straw.
The distinctive St. Brigid’s Cross design, made from woven rushes, is thought to keep evil, fire and hunger from the homes in which it is displayed.
The tale as we know it is as follows:
There was an old pagan Chieftain who lay on his deathbed in Kildare and he summoned Brigid to his beside in the hope that the saintly woman may calm him. Brigid sat by his bed, consoling and calming him and she picked up the rushes from the floor and began weaving them into the distinctive cross pattern.
Whilst she weaved, she explained the meaning of the cross to the sick Chieftain and it is thought her calming words brought peace to his soul. He was so enamored by her words that the old Chieftain requested he be baptized as a Christian just before his passing. Since that day, and for the centuries that followed, it has been customary on the eve of her Feast Day (1st February) for the Irish people to fashion a St. Brigid's Cross of straw or rushes and place it inside the house over the door.
This rush cross, which became St. Brigid’s emblem, has been used in Irish designs throughout history, with many modern stylists using this now popular Irish symbol within the designs of Irish jewelry and Irish gifts.
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