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St Brigid's Cross
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In addition to these wall crosses and gifts, The Irish Gift House, is proud of our selections of St. Brigid's cross necklaces, along with the St. Brigid's cross charms, that are featured in our Irish Jewelry section. Please take a look at this wonderful collection that we offer in gold and in sterling silver; we additionally have several pieces that are plated designs.
Another of our Christian symbols, in the form of jewelry, that you may browse on this site are our sterling silver Celtic cross necklaces and gold Celtic cross necklaces. Most of these choices are fashioned for ladies so for stockier versions please take a look at our Celtic cross necklaces for men. The designs in this category feature styles that are crafted in gold or silver along with pewter, and we also have a selection of stainless steel Celtic crosses.
Just as is the case with St. Brigid, The Irish Gift House offers an assortment of Celtic cross gifts that range from blankets to key rings; these are in addition to the many Celtic wall crosses and standing Celtic crosses in our inventory.
Our selection of St. Brigid's crosses include those made in Ireland by Belleek along with Mullingar Pewter and Liffey Artefacts.
The History of the St. Brigid and Her Cross.
St. Brigid was born the daughter of Dubhtach, a Leinster pagan chieftain, and a slave woman during the mid-fifth century in Ireland. It is believed that she was a contemporary of St. Patrick who converted her to Catholicism. St. Brigid founded a monastery in Kildare, Ireland and is remembered for her great charity and kindness and is second only to St. Patrick, among Ireland’s heritage of Saints. Thousands of Irish woman are named Brigid in her honor. St. Brigid’s feast day, February 1, corresponds with Imbolc, the Celtic feast of purification and renewal.
The most enduring image of St. Brigid is the St. Brigid’s Cross. In her endeavor to explain the Passion of Christ to her father, a dying pagan, she wove a cross from the straw-like rushes strewn on the floor. In those early Christian times the farmers adopted the custom of making these same crosses at the beginning of spring to protect their holdings, placing the handmade St. Brigid's cross in prominent positions in their houses and barns. The tradition of making the crosses on St. Brigid's Day, February 1st, continues to the present day in Ireland and abroad. The St. Brigid’s Cross is believed to protect homes from want and evil.