Brigid's cross
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St Brigid's cross
Brigid's cross, Brighid's cross, or Brigit's cross, or Crosóg Brigde(in Irish) is an old Irish symbol, probably derivative of the pagan sunwheel. It is usually made entirely out of rushes, less often straw. It contains a woven square in the centre and four radials which are tied at the ends.
Many rituals are associated with the making of the crosses. These are often still carried out today and many Irish homes still feature Brigid's crosses. It is a common belief throughout Ireland that a Brigid's Cross protects the house from fire.
Brigid's crosses are associated with the Irish saint Brigid (who was given the name of the Celtic fire-goddess by her pagan father) and are constructed on the saint's feast day (1 February, Lá Fhéile Bhríde/Imbolc).
It was used (sometimes stylized) in 1961 to 1987 and 1993 to 2000 later to represent Telefís Éireann and RTÉ 1 (later RTÉ One); this was used as an unofficial national symbol of Ireland.
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