Irish Jewelry: The use of St Brigid’s Cross

As mentioned before, there are many Irish Jewelry designs that incorporate symbols, objects and cherished motifs that are associated with Ireland.

One popular symbol that features heavily in the use of jewelry designs, especially as Irish Celtic pendants is the St Brigid’s Cross, which would be depicted in gold or silver compared to its traditional form of woven rushes!

In its traditional form it is said to thought to keep evil, fire and hunger from the home in which it is displayed, the unique St Brigid’s Cross is accredited to St Brigid, also known as “Mary of the Gael”, a patroness of Ireland who first created the cross.

The tale of how she created the unique St Brigid’s Cross design however is slightly confused and although there is not one exact version, one interpretation is that there was an old pagan Chieftain – some say this was her father – who lay delirious on his deathbed in Kildare. His servants summoned Brigid to his beside in the hope that the saintly woman may calm his restless spirit. Brigid is said to have sat by his bed, consoling and calming him and it is here that 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, and that he was so enamoured by her words that the old Chieftain requested he was baptized as a Christian just before his passing.

This rushes cross, became known as the St Brigid’s Cross and became an emblem associated with her. For centuries this emblem has been used in Irish designs, with many modern stylists using this now popular Irish symbol within the designs of Irish gifts, Irish jewelry and traditional Irish gifts.