Saint Brigid's life and the modern times
Saint Brigid's Day is celebrated on the 1st of February. As for the saint herself - there aren't many confirmed facts about her life. Today, she is most strongly connected with Ireland, and with Kildare in particular - where she is said to have been an abbess. As patroness saint of Ireland, she is one of its three national saints (alongside Patrick and Columba).
Saint Brigid's cultural significance
Today, you can observe the symbols and rituals associated with Saint Brigid across the island of Ireland. Traditionally people
used to make and display Saint Brigid's crosses, and in some places, they took
part in parades with a Saint Brigid doll.
Her significance moves beyond Ireland, though: Saint Brigid remains a popular saint in North America (thanks to the presence of Irish and Scots diaspora) and she became a partial inspiration for a Haitian voodoo spirit, Maman Brigitte.
Saint Brigid's Day and Imbolc
Saint Brigid's Day falls around the day of Imbolc, one of Gaelic seasonal festivals (generally falling between the 3rd and 6th of February). The modern Christian rituals and the traditional Gaelic celebrations merge today in a day which marks the beginning of spring.
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