St Brigid's Day in Ireland (01/02)

Saint Brigid (Brigitte of Ireland, St. Brigit, ca. 451 — February 1, 525) — is one of the three most revered saints in Ireland, which also includes St. Patrick and St. Columba Kille.

On the eve of his feast day, Saint Brigid was believed to travel the country, blessing people and their homes. As a symbol of the fact that she was welcome in this house and was looking forward to visiting her, a pie or pieces of bread and butter were laid out on the windowsill (in some areas of Ireland, bread in the shape of a cross was baked especially for this day). Several ears of corn were placed nearby for her favorite white cow.

No matter how poor the house was, any housewife always tried to prepare a festive dinner or at least one festive dish. The traditional treats were apple pies, poppy pies, pancakes, wheat or barley cakes, pumpkin and sunflower seeds. Oil was always served on the table (it was deliberately knocked down in the morning). In honor of the saint, who became famous for her generosity, and in order to ensure wealth and well-being the following year, the more prosperous owners treated their less fortunate neighbors to butter and milk. Sometimes on this occasion they cut a sheep and distributed the meat to friends and those simply in need.

It is said that one day Saint Brigid visited a dying pagan ruler and dubbed him a cross, woven right there from reeds. From here came the custom, on the day of St. Brigid, of weaving jungle or reed crosses to protect the house throughout the following year. Crosses woven on this day are attached above the door to replace last year's, which the owners remove and store in the house.

On the feast of St. Brigid, any actions related to the rotation of the wheel were prohibited. But on this day you can see handkerchiefs hanging on clotheslines everywhere. This is done in order to ensure the health of all family members for the entire next year. Previously, strips of cloth or ribbon were hung (they were called Brigid's robes). It was believed that if the saint touched them, they would acquire healing properties.

In the old days, mummers went from house to house and carried a straw doll with them. It was called Brideog. The guys accompanying her (Biddie Boys) sang and danced, and the owners thanked them with candy, pies and money.

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