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Revision as of 21:01, 1 February 2005 by Putrescent stench (talk | contribs) (corrected wiki link)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)In Irish mythology, Brigid or Brighid ("exalted one") was the daughter of Dagda (and therefore one of the Tuatha de Danaan) and wife of Bres of the Fomorians. She had two sisters, also named Brighid, and is considered a classic Celtic Triple Goddess.
Some of her titles included:
- "Fire of Inspiration" - patroness of poets
- "Fire of the Hearth" - patroness of healers, goddess of fertility
- "Fire of the Forge" - patroness of smiths, craftsmen and warriors
By Tuireann, she was the mother of Creidhne, Luchtaine and Goibniu.
Brigid possessed an apple orchard in the Otherworld; bees traveled there to obtain magical nectar. This orchard was associated with Avalon. The Lady of the Lake in Arthurian Legend may be based on Brigid.
Brigid was the goddess of the Sacred Flame of Kildare.
The first Abbess of Kildare, Brigid of Ireland, daughter of King Dubhthach of Leinster, is often conflated with this figure, sometimes to the point wherein it is denied that the actual woman ever existed, despite historical records of her presence at the abbey.
On February 1, Brigid was celebrated at Imbolc, when she brought spring to the land. It is also the feast day of St Brigid (who is honored by Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and some Anglicans).
Brigid was the patron goddess of the druids.
Other names
- Brigid (Ireland)
- Brighid (Ireland)
- Bridget (Ireland) Anglicised version of the gaelic name.
- Brid
- Bride (Scotland)
- ffraid (Wales)
- Breo Saighead ("the fiery arrow")
- Berecyntia (Gaul)
- Brigan
- Brigandu (Gaul)
- Brigantia
- Brigantis (Briton)
- Brigindo (Switzerland)