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Encyclopedia > Brigid

In Irish mythology as it is presently constituted, Brigit or Brighit ("exalted one") was the daughter of the Dagda (and therefore one of the Tuatha Dé Danann) and wife of Bres of the Fomorians. She had two sisters, also named Brighid, and is considered a classic Celtic Triple Goddess. The mythology of pre-Christian Ireland did not entirely survive the conversion to Christianity, but much of it was preserved, shorn of its religious meanings, in medieval Irish literature, which represents the most extensive and best preserved of all the branches of Celtic mythology. ... The Dagda is an important god of Irish mythology. ... “Áes dána” redirects here. ... In Irish mythology, Bres, aka Eochaid Bres, Eochu Bres (Eochaid/Eochu the Beautiful), was a king of the Tuatha Dé Danann. ... In Irish mythology, the Fomorians, Fomors, or Fomori (Irish Fomóiri, Fomóraig) were a semi-divine race who inhabited Ireland in ancient times. ... This article is about the European people. ... A Triple Goddess symbol (probably originating from Classical Greek lunar symbolism), representing the three aspects of the moon (waxing crescent, full moon, waning crescent) and womankind (maiden, mother, crone). ...

Contents

Familial relations

By Tuireann, she was the mother of Creidhne, Luchtaine and Goibniu.[citation needed] In Celtic mythology, Tuireann was the father of Creidhne, Luchtaine and Giobhniu by Brigid. ... In Irish mythology, Creidhne (or Credne) was a son of Brigid and Tuireann and the artificer of the Tuatha Dé Danann, working in bronze, brass and gold. ... In Celtic mythology, Luchtaine (or Luchta) was a son of Brigid and Tuireann and a god of craftwork and smithing. ... In Irish mythology Goibniu or Goibhniu (pronounced Goive-nu) was a son of Brigid and Tuireann and the smith of the Tuatha Dé Danann. ...


She is identified in Lebor Gabála Érenn as a daughter of the Dagda and a poet. The same passage mentions that she has two oxen, Fe and Men, that graze on a plain named for them, Femen; the Torc Triath, king of boars; and Cirb, king of wethers, from whom Mag Cirb is named.[1] As the daughter of Dagda, she is also the half sister of Cermait, Aengus, Midir, and Bodb Derg. Lebor Gabála Érenn (The Book of the Taking of Ireland) is the Middle Irish title of a loose collection of poems and prose narratives recounting the mythical origins and history of the Irish race from the creation of the world down to the Middle Ages. ... The Dagda is an important god of Irish mythology. ... Twrch Trwyth is the name of the creature Culhwch is instructed to hunt in the Middle Welsh prose tale Culhwch and Olwen. ... “Lamb” redirects here. ... The Dagda is an important god of Irish mythology. ... in Irish mythology Cermait of the Tuatha Dé Danann was a son of the Dagda. ... In Irish mythology, Aengus (Áengus, Óengus, Angus, Aonghus, Anghus) aka Aengus Óg (Aengus the Young), Mac ind Óg (son of the young), Maccan or Mac Óg (young son) was a member of the Tuatha Dé Danann and probably a god of love, youth and poetic inspiration. ... In Irish mythology Midir (or Midhir) was a son of the Dagda of the Tuatha Dé Danann. ... In Irish mythology, Bodb Derg (Old Irish: Bodb the Red; Middle and Modern Irish Bodhbh Dearg ) was a son of Eochaid Garb. ...


Associations

In Cath Maige Tuireadh, Bríg (sic) invents keening while mourning for Ruadán (her son by Bres), slain while fighting for the Fomorians. She is credited in the same passage with inventing a whistle used for night travel.[2] Cath Maige Tuireadh (the (second) Battle of Magh Tuiredh) is a tale of the Irish Mythological Cycle in which the Tuatha Dé Danann defeat their enemies, the Fomorians. ... In Irish mythology, Bres, aka Eochaid Bres, Eochu Bres (Eochaid/Eochu the Beautiful), was a king of the Tuatha Dé Danann. ... In Irish mythology, the Fomorians (Irish Fomóire, Fomórach) or Fomors were a semi-divine race who inhabited Ireland in ancient times. ...


Divine responsibilities

Brighid was associated with perpetual, sacred flames, such as the one maintained by 19 nuns at her sanctuary in Kildare, Ireland. It is widely believed, though not conclusively proven, that the tradition of women tending her sacred flame is far older than Christianity, and that before the nuns the flame was maintained by priestesses. Her sacred flame at Kildare was said by Giraldus Cambrensis and other chroniclers to have been surrounded by a hedge, which no man could cross; men who attempted to cross the hedge were said to have gone insane, died, and/or to have had their "lower leg" wither. Kildare (Irish: Cill Dara) is a town in County Kildare, Republic of Ireland. ... Giraldus Cambrensis (c. ...


Brighid was also connected to holy wells, at Kildare and many other sites in the Celtic lands. Well dressing, the tying of clooties to the trees next to healing wells, and other methods of petitioning or honoring Brighid still take place in some of the Celtic lands and the diaspora. Well dressing in Youlgreave Well dressing is a custom practised in the Peak District of England, in which wells are decorated with designs created from flower petals. ... A clootie or cloot in Scots is a strip or piece of cloth, a rag or item of clothing; it can also refer to fabric used in the patching of clothes or the making of proddy rugs (aka clootie mats).[1] The saying Neer cast a cloot til May... Clootie wells (also Cloutie or Cloughtie wells) are places of pilgrimage in Celtic areas. ...


As one of the most popular goddesses worshipped by the Celtic peoples, including the druids, many of her stories and symbology survived in the persona of Saint Brigid. She was the goddess of all things perceived to be of relatively high dimensions such as high-rising flames, highlands, hill-forts and upland areas; and of activities and states conceived as psychologically lofty and elevated, such as wisdom, excellence, perfection, high intelligence, poetic eloquence, craftsmanship (especially blacksmithing), healing ability, druidic knowledge and skill in warfare. In the living traditions, whether seen as goddess or saint, she is largely associated with the home and hearth and is a favorite of both Pagans and Christians. A number of these associations are attested in Cormac's Glossary. Two druids, from an 1845 publication, based on a bas-relief found at Autun, France. ... The Sanas Cormaic (sometimes called Sanas Chormaic using modern rules of initial consonant mutation) is an Irish glossary containing etymologies and explanations of over 1400 Irish words. ...


Her British and continental counterpart Brigantia seems to have been the Celtic equivalent of the Roman Minerva and the Greek Athena (Encyclopedia Britannica: Celtic Religion), goddesses with very similar functions and apparently embodying the same concept of 'elevated state', whether physical or psychological. In Gallo-Roman and Romano-British religion, Brigantia was a goddess who is attested several places in Britain and Europe. ... Head of Minerva by Elihu Vedder, 1896 For other uses, see Minerva (disambiguation). ... This marble copy signed ANTIOCHOS is a first century BCE copy of Phidias 5th-century original that stood on the Acropolis In Greek mythology, Athena (Attic: , Athēnâ, or , Athḗnē; Doric: , Asána; Latin: Minerva), the shrewd companion of heroes, evolved into the goddess of wisdom, as philosophy became...


Brigid also has an incarnation known to practitioners of Voodoo. Maman Brigitte can be found as a lwa or spirit in Haiti among other countries which practice the Vodun religion. In this aspect, she is the Lady of the Cemetery and has the trademark red hair; her colors are purple, violet and black. She is the wife of the King of the Cemetary, sometimes known as Baron Samedi. Maman Brigitte may be characterised as a hard working, hard cursing woman who can swear a blue streak and enjoys a special drink made of rum laced with 21 hot peppers. People suspected of faking a possession by her may be asked to drink her special rum or rub hot peppers on their genitals, which she occasionally does. Those who are not truly possessed are soon identified. The grave of the first woman buried in a cemetery is dedicated to Maman Brigitte. It is likely she came to the new world through indentured servants or Stuart loyalists, and she lives on in her descendants of the African diaspora. A loa is a powerful spirit or deity in the voodoo religion. ...


Festivals

On February 1, Brigid is celebrated at the Gaelic festival of Imbolc, when she brings the first stirrings of spring to the land. Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Christians, and some Anglicans mark the day as the Feast of Saint Brigid; the festival is also known as Candlemas and Purification of the Virgin. is the 32nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Gaels are an ethno-linguistic group which spread from Ireland to many parts of Britain, specifically Scotland, the Isle of Man, Wales and Cornwall. ... Imbolc is one of the four principal festivals of the Irish calendar, celebrated either at the beginning of February or at the first local signs of Spring. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      The Roman Catholic Church or Catholic... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      The Eastern Orthodox Church (including Greek... The Anglican Communion uses the compass rose as its symbol, signifying its worldwide reach and decentralized nature. ... The calendar of saints is a traditional Christian method of organising a liturgical year on the level of days by associating each day with one or more saints, and referring to the day as that saints day. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Candlemas (Russian: Sretenie, Spanish: Candelaria) is a Christian feast commemorating the purification of the Virgin Mary and the presentation of the infant Jesus in the Temple. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Presentation of Jesus at the Temple. ...


Other names and etymology

Old Irish Brigit ['brɪʝɪdʲ] came to be spelled Brighid by the modern Irish period. Since the spelling reform of 1948, this has been spelled Bríd ['briːdʲ]. The earlier form gave rise to the Anglicization Bridget, now commonly seen as Brigid. Old Irish is the name given to the oldest form of the Irish language which can be, more or less, fully reconstructed from extant sources. ...

The theonym Brigit appears to be derived from Proto-Celtic *Brigantījā meaning "high" or "exalted".[1] Some of her titles included:[citation needed] This article is about the country. ... This article is about the country. ... Folk etymology is a term used in two distinct ways: A commonly held misunderstanding of the origin of a particular word, a false etymology. ... The Sanas Cormaic (Cormacs Glossary; sometimes called Sanas Chormaic using modern rules of initial consonant mutation) is an Irish glossary containing etymologies and explanations of over 1400 Irish words. ... Gaul (Latin: ) was the name given,in ancient times, to the region of Western Europe comprising present-day northern Italy, France, Belgium, western Switzerland and the parts of the Netherlands and Germany on the west bank of the Rhine river. ... Gaul (Latin: ) was the name given,in ancient times, to the region of Western Europe comprising present-day northern Italy, France, Belgium, western Switzerland and the parts of the Netherlands and Germany on the west bank of the Rhine river. ... In Gallo-Roman and Romano-British religion, Brigantia was a goddess who is attested several places in Britain and Europe. ... The Proto-Celtic language, also called Common Celtic, is the putative ancestor of all the known Celtic languages. ...

  • "Brigantia, Exaltedness of Inspiration" - patroness of poets
  • "Brigantia, Exaltedness of the Hearth" - patroness of healers, goddess of fertility
  • "Brigantia, Exaltedness of the Forge" - patroness of smiths, craftsmen and warriors

The Chinese poem Quatrain on Heavenly Mountain by Emperor Gaozong (Song Dynasty) Poetry (from the Greek , poiesis, a making or creating) is a form of art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its ostensible meaning. ...

See also

Saint Brigid of Ireland Saint Brigid of Ireland (Bridget, Bridgit, Brigit; in English St. ... Brigids cross, Brighids cross, or Brigits cross, or Crosóg Brigde(in gaelic) is an old Irish symbol, probably derivative of the pagan sunwheel. ...

Notes

  1. ^ Macalister, R. A. Stewart. Lebor Gabála Érenn. Part IV. Irish Texts Society, Dublin, 1941. § VII, First Redaction, ¶ 317.
  2. ^ Cath Maige Tuired (The Second Battle of Mag Tuired), translated by Elizabeth A. Gray. ¶ 125.

References

  • Bitel, Lisa M. 2001. "St. Brigit of Ireland: From Virgin Saint to Fertility Goddess" on-line)
  • MacKillop, James. 1998.Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. (Oxford: Oxford University Press) ISBN 0-19-280120-1.

External links

v • d • e
Topics in Celtic mythology
Creation Beira, Cailleach
Ancient Celtic or Gaulish deities
Abandinus, Abellio, Abnoba, Adsullata, Agrona, Alaunus, Alisanos, Ambisagrus, Ancamna, Andarta, Andraste, Anextiomarus, Arduinna, Artio, Arvernus, Aufaniae, Aveta, Belatu-Cadros, Belenus, Belisama, Borvo, Brigantia, Britannia, Buxenus, Camma, Camulus, Cernunnos, Cissonius, Clota, Cocidius, Condatis, Contrebis, Coventina, Damara, Damona, Dea Matrona, Dis Pater, Epona, Erecura, Esus, Fagus, Grannus, Hooded Spirits, Icaunus, Loucetios, Lugus, Luxovius, Maponos, Matres, Nantosuelta, Nemetona, Nemausus, Nodens, Ogmios, Robur, Rosmerta, Rudianos, Segomo, Senua, Sequana, Sirona, Smertrios, Sucellus, Suleviae, Sulis, Tamesis, Taranis, Toutatis, Verbeia, Vosegus
Irish mythological characters Abartach, Abhean, Aengus, Alastir, Ai, Aibell, Aimend, Áine, Airmed, Anann, Badb, Balor, Banba, Beag, Bébinn, Bé Chuille, Birog, Boann, Bodb Derg, Brea, Breg, Bres, Brigid, Bronach, Buarainech, Caer, Canola, Carman, Cenn Cruaich, Cessair, Cethlenn, Cian, Cliodhna, Corb, Creidhne, Crom Cruach, Cú Roí mac Daire, The Dagda, Danu, Dian Cecht, Elatha, Étaín, Ethniu, Ethne, Ériu, Fand, Fionnuala, Fódla, Goibniu, Lir, Luchtaine, Lugh, Macha, Manannán mac Lir, Miach, Midir, Mog Ruith, Morrígan, Neit, Nemain, Niamh, Nuada, Ogma, Plor na mBan, Sheela na Gig, Tailtiu, Tethra
Irish rulers and warriors Caílte, Conall Cernach, Conchobar, Conán mac Morna, Conn of the Hundred Battles, Cormac mac Airt, Cúchulainn, Cumhal, Deichtine, Deirdre, Diarmuid, Emer, Ferdiad, Fergus mac Róich, Fionn mac Cumhaill, Lugaid, Medb, Oisín, Oscar
Scottish mythological characters Bean Nighe, Beira, Cailleach, Crom Dubh, Deò-ghrèine, Glaistig, Inghean Bhuidhe, Lasair, Latiaran, Ossian, Scota, Seonaidh
Scottish rulers and warriors Aífe, Connla, Scáthach, Uathach
Welsh mythological characters Amaethon, Arawn, Arianrhod, King Arthur, Afallach, Beli Mawr, Blodeuwedd, Bran the Blessed, Branwen, Caswallawn, Ceridwen, Cigfa, Creiddylad, Culhwch, Cyhyraeth, Dewi, Dôn, Dwyn, Dylan Ail Don, Efnysien, Elen, Euroswydd, Gofannon, Gwydion, Gwyn ap Nudd, Hafgan, Lleu Llaw Gyffes, Llŷr, Lludd, Mabon, Manawydan, Math fab Mathonwy, Modron, Nisien, Ogyruan, Olwen, Penarddun, Pryderi, Pwyll, Rhiannon, Taliesin
Locations Annwn, Mag Mell, Sídhe, Tír na nÓg
Weapons Claíomh Solais, Fragarach, Gáe Bulg, Spear Lúin
Worship Beltane, Celtic astrology, Imbolc, Lughnasadh, Samhain

  Results from FactBites:
 
Brigid's Place Feminine Spirituality (400 words)
Brigid's Place is a nonprofit organization incorporated by the State of Texas that provides a center for the spiritual transformation and empowerment of women through programs, classes, and workshops held at Christ Church Cathedral.
Brigid's Place has been called "a sanctuary for the female soul." At Brigid's Place there are opportunities to pray and meditate alone or in community, find support and direction in small groups and conversation and within a mentorship program.
Brigid's Place is named for St. Brigid, a fifth-century Irish Celtic saint who founded a monastery of both nuns and monks.
Brigid of Ireland - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (1732 words)
Brigid was the goddess of fire, whose manifestations were song, craftsmanship, and poetry, which the Irish considered the flame of knowledge.
Brigid was born in 451 or 452 of princely ancestors at Faughart, near Dundalk, County Louth; d.
It is difficult to reconcile the statements of St. Brigid's biographers, but the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Lives of the saint are at one in assigning her a slave mother in the court of her father Dubhthach, a chieftain of Leinster.
  More results at FactBites »


 

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