I'm going to make one from palmetto fronds. Ultimately, I don't think it matters whether this shape was christian or pagan. In fact, the idea that such a shape is considered meaningful by both gives it more cred.
I've just asked this question on another video on Saint Bridget. Seeing as early Christians, finding it hard to change traditional customs of worship, rededicated holy wells and festivals to Christian saints rather than pagan deities, I wonder if straw figures were made of something else before Christianity? Perhaps figures of the goddess? Interesting that the video suggests a solar symbol. Perhaps like the circle in celtic high crosses is taught in Irish schools to represent the face of god but was to equate the sun god with the single god of Christianity.
Well, if I'm understanding you correctly, I think I talk about that a little bit in my video on Corn Dollies. Stories say that each year, the last sheaves of wheat were fashioned into a dolly where the spirit of harvest could reside until the crops in the field grew back. We might not know exactly what they looked like, but I think it's highly likely that people used any common material to form depictions of their gods.
@@AerikArkadian so it may have originally have been a solar symbol or a human type figure but the knowledge of exactly what it was has been lost, at least as far as imbolc is concerned?
@@michaelcaffery5038 well, just to be clear, the corn dolly and brigids cross are two completely different things. I was just using that as an example of people weaving things out of common materials, such as wheat. From what I've read, the first attestation of a "brigids cross" was probably around the 17th century, but solar crosses have been used since neolithic times. It's just about what lens you're using when you frame history I guess.
I'm going to make one from palmetto fronds. Ultimately, I don't think it matters whether this shape was christian or pagan. In fact, the idea that such a shape is considered meaningful by both gives it more cred.
And ultimately, I guess what is most important is what it means to you personally. If you make one from palm fronds, I'd love to see it!
I have tons of Broom Sedge
If you make one out of broom sedge, definitely show it off!
I've just asked this question on another video on Saint Bridget. Seeing as early Christians, finding it hard to change traditional customs of worship, rededicated holy wells and festivals to Christian saints rather than pagan deities, I wonder if straw figures were made of something else before Christianity? Perhaps figures of the goddess? Interesting that the video suggests a solar symbol. Perhaps like the circle in celtic high crosses is taught in Irish schools to represent the face of god but was to equate the sun god with the single god of Christianity.
Well, if I'm understanding you correctly, I think I talk about that a little bit in my video on Corn Dollies. Stories say that each year, the last sheaves of wheat were fashioned into a dolly where the spirit of harvest could reside until the crops in the field grew back. We might not know exactly what they looked like, but I think it's highly likely that people used any common material to form depictions of their gods.
@@AerikArkadian so it may have originally have been a solar symbol or a human type figure but the knowledge of exactly what it was has been lost, at least as far as imbolc is concerned?
@@michaelcaffery5038 well, just to be clear, the corn dolly and brigids cross are two completely different things. I was just using that as an example of people weaving things out of common materials, such as wheat. From what I've read, the first attestation of a "brigids cross" was probably around the 17th century, but solar crosses have been used since neolithic times. It's just about what lens you're using when you frame history I guess.