Thus, she was not just a goddess of fire but the water goddess too, and water was one of her dominions. The symbols that Brigid was most associated with were her wells, found all over Ireland. As a form of the primordial mother deity, she protected men and women, children, and domesticated animals. Fire and sacred wells were equally important symbols of Brigid, who was seen as a protector first and foremost. Appearing as a redheaded woman associated with fire, passion, fertility, and motherhood, she was also the goddess of healing and poetry. This Celtic goddess was an absolute dichotomy. St Brigid by John Duncan Symbolism and Attributes Saint Brigid’s feast day also coincides with Imbolc, the first day of spring and the festival day traditionally associated with the goddess Brigid. They are also both associated with holy wells found all over Ireland and Scotland. Thus, both St Brigid and the goddess are associated with fire. This might have been a practice from the worship of the goddess Brigid that has carried over into the Christian religion now. Many pre-Christian faiths had the tradition of female priestesses tending sacred flames. The Christian saint is associated with an ever-burning sacred fire in Kildare, surrounded by a hedge no man can cross. Some scholars, like the medievalist Pamela Berger, believe that the Celtic goddess Brigid was later syncretized with Saint Brigid or St Brigid of Kildare. READ MORE: Ancient Civilizations Timeline: 16 Oldest Known Cultures From Around The World Brigid Goddess and Saint Brigid The ancient Celts also had rituals where an expectant mother would walk over ashes and embers, seeking the protection of Brigid for their unborn children. This is not unusual in deities associated with blacksmithing since the two usually go together (for example Hephaestus).īut this means that apart from her more grandiose, public persona, Brigid was also a protector of the home and the family. In local myth, Brigid is closely associated with fire and considered a fire goddess like Hawaiian Pele. The Celtic goddess was also considered a mother goddess and a hearth goddess. READ MORE: Pagan Gods from Across the Ancient World Other Domains Thus, Brigid may have been worshiped by different people in her three forms, depending on what the person required of her at the given moment. It is very usual in pagan cultures and religions to split different aspects of one deity into different forms. However, the former does seem more likely. Another theory is that there may have been three sisters of the same name. Thus, Brigid may have been a triple deity, one goddess worshiped in three different forms. Irish mythology mentions three goddesses of the same name: Brigid the wise or Brigid the poet, Brigid the healer, and Brigid the smith. READ MORE: Roman Gods and Goddesses: The Names and Stories of 29 Ancient Roman Gods Triple Goddess The Romans, when they arrived on the British Isles, associated Brigid with the Roman Goddess Minerva, because of these qualities. Poets and craftsmen revered the goddess, who was considered a fount of innovation. However, it is universally stated that she was the goddess of wisdom and poetry. Different sources cite different opinions about what she was actually the goddess of. Brigid’s domains seem to be mired in confusion. In Irish mythology, their gods and goddesses are seen not so much as the creators but as ancestors of the people. Thousands of years ago, Brigid was called upon by the druidic cults that were devoted to worshiping her for a variety of things. Her imprint can be seen in sacred sites scattered all over the magnificent landscapes of Ireland. The many domains that the rules over have given rise to theories that she may have been a triple goddess.īrigid was thought to be a bridge between humankind and the otherworld. The daughter of the Dagda, the Father of Ireland, Brigid was associated with wisdom, poetry, and healing. The goddess Brigid was one of the most important goddesses of pre-Christian Ireland. Who is Goddess Brigid? The Coming of Bride by John Duncan
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |