Imbolc 2006: Brídeóg Decorating Contest

The Craft House (- threads, 90 posts)
Brighid favors all smiths and other craftspeople. ...

General Thread ₂ Featured January 27 , 2006

On the eve of An Fhéill Bhrìghde (The Feast of Brighid), in much of Ireland and the highlands of Scotland, a procession of young men and women called Biddies or Bridies would carry an effigy of Brighid in the form of a decorated straw doll from door to door, and sing and dance in exchange for money to fund a ceili (dance).

Celebrate Imbolc by deocrating your very own Brídeóg (Little Brighid) for your homesite hearth. And for fun and profit (a plaque), enter your doll in the decorating contest.

Contest details

Three prize plaques will be awarded:

1) Traditional
2) Unique
3) People's Choice

The base of the Brídeóg may be made of corn husks, grain sheaves (wheat, barley, oats), or a churn staff. In some areas, a potato is simply attached to the end of a stick and decorated. Decorations vary from one region to the next. The doll may be dressed in a long white gown or robe, and oftimes a white mantle, or intricate lace patterns might be woven into the husks themselves. She is then decorated with bits of greenery, spring flowers, pretty stones and shells. The best and brightest ornament is placed over the heart and called Rionnag Brídeóg, the "Star of little Brighid." The head and face may be a mask, a carved turnip, or a piece of white cloth that has been dyed, or appropriately painted to represent Brighid's face.

Use your imagination! Decorate your Brídeóg however you like (provided it's within the Ancient Worlds Code of Conduct). Traditional decor may be based on Celtic or other grain dolly traditions.

All are invited to post your Brídeóg dolls here. If you are particpating in the contest, please include the word "Entry" in the title of your post.

Contest deadline is midnight of February 1. Send your vote for the People's Choice awared to fedelm@poetic.com by February 4th. Winners will be announced here on February 5th.

A huge thanks to all for sharing your lovely Brídeóg dolls!

Created by:
* Fedelm Cruithni, Jan 21, 2006 - 15:14