Despite St Patrick by AidanaWillowRaven
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Description
Well, my first contest entry was a dud, but I still thought I'd add it to my gallery.
If you're curious about the title or how this scene relates to St Patrick's Day, I won't make ya guess.
The Druidic Goddess, Brigid, lies in wait for many things. It was once believed she introduced the coming of Spring with the annual appearance of the clover, which represented her triple goddess attributes (maiden/mother/crone).
Once a pagan himself, named Maewyn, St. Patrick traveled to Ireland (no ... he wasn't a native) to rid it of 'the snakes' which most scholars believe were really the Druids, since one of the most know healing symbols was the serpent (the caduceus symbol you see medical doctors still using today).
St Patrick used a blend of Pagan symbols and, like most missionaries of his time, blended them and corrupted them to represent Christian symbols instead, in an attempt to convert the locals. One of which was the clover representing the father/son/holy spirit rather than maiden/mother/crone.
To a degree, it worked. Christianity flooded Ireland like everywhere else. But did it really win?
Brigid was still so embedded in the hearts and minds of the people, that the Catholic church demoted her to a Saint, rather than a Goddess, and proclaimed her St Patrick's wife after his death.
They then build a monastery on top of her temple. I guess they couldn't stop the pilgrimages and rituals to Brigid, so they decided if they couldn't stop the people from worshiping her, they'll make themselves feel better thinking she's catholic ... lol.
To this day, Brigid is honored in Ireland and the world over as the Goddess and bringer of Spring and fertility. The cloves is still the national symbol and the Irish still remember her ... Despite St Patrick.
Being American, who really treat St Patty's Day differently then those in Ireland, tend to think its all about the drinking, green, and little cute fairies. It SORTA is ... but we kinda miss the point. ;P
I hope ya'll enjoy the Spring and my representation of Brigid daydreaming ...
The winners for Renderosity's St Patty's Day contest were definitely worthy. :D Congrats guys!
Comments (18)
Hexekati
I don't know the use to st. patricks day, i'm from germany. Thanks for the infos. Love the render you post here, it looks like a painting!
AidanaWillowRaven
Thank you. I didn't do any postwork, primarily because I forgot ... lol. I had already submitted my entry when I realized it ... lol.
westore
An interesting bit of education and a very lovely render. Looks very much like a cover illustration, I suppose because of the aspect ratio. It's certainly good enough to be one!
AidanaWillowRaven
Thank you, westore. Cover illustration and design is actually my job ... lol. Most of my renders are for books. This was one of the few that wasn't.
Xfitz
Well their loss was our gain. Thanks for posting this along with the very interesting text.
barryjeffer
A sweet and fitting tribute to Brigid.. awesome details in both the image and the history. Excellent.
nitegrafix
Great tribute image! Bravo
alessimarco
~This is a really gorgeous springtime idyll!~
jocko500
You right about St Patrick AND WHAT HE DID. and what the Church did there too which was worst than what he did.
mgtcs
Very beautiful and happy scene my friend, lovely colors and composition, thank you for the information, I'm from Brasil!
Xameva
This is quite beautiful, thank you for sharing. :)
flavia49
beautiful!
crunch01
very very very fine!!!!!!!!!!
wysiwig
As they say in New York, "You waz robbed!" This is really quite good. Perhaps it wasn't St. Patrick-y enough. Great history lesson too. Thank you for faving my gallery.
whaleman
Beautiful! I would love to try to duplicate that pose and scenery in a photograph! I even know a place that is very similar.
bebert
excellent image
danapommet
A beautiful scene of Brigid,the pot of gold and the endless meadow!
K_T_Ong
Lovely background with all the lush vegetation. A bit surprising this wasn't done with VUE.