Editing Imbolc (section)

===Brigid's procession===
In Ireland and Scotland, a representation of Brigid would be paraded around the community by girls and young women. Usually, it was a doll known as a ''{{lang|ga|Brídeóg}}'' ('little Brigid'), called a 'Breedhoge' or 'Biddy' in English. It would be made from [[Juncus|rushes]] or [[reed (plant)|reeds]] and clad in bits of cloth, flowers, or shells.<ref name="stations" /><ref name="monaghan256" /> In the Hebrides of Scotland, a bright shell or crystal called the ''{{lang|gd|reul-iuil Bríde}}'' (guiding star of Brigid) was set on its chest. The girls would carry it in procession while singing a hymn to Brigid. All wore white with their hair unbound as a symbol of purity and youth. They visited every house in the area, where they received either food or more decoration for the {{lang|gd|Brídeóg}}. Afterward, they feasted in a house with the {{lang|gd|Brídeóg}} set in a place of honour, and put it to bed with lullabies. When the meal was done, the local young men humbly asked for admission, made obeisance to the {{lang|gd|Brídeóg}}, and joined the girls in dancing and merrymaking.<ref name="stations" /> In many places, only unwed girls could carry the {{lang|gd|Brídeóg}}, but in some both boys and girls carried it.<ref>Monaghan, p. 58.</ref>

In parts of Ireland, rather than carrying a {{lang|gd|Brídeóg}}, a girl took on the role of Brigid. Escorted by other girls, she went house-to-house wearing 'Brigid's crown' and carrying 'Brigid's shield' and 'Brigid's cross', all made from rushes.<ref name="Danaher22-25">{{harvnb|Danaher|1972|pp=22–25}}</ref> The procession in some places included 'strawboys', who wore conical straw hats, masks and played folk music; much like the [[Wren Day|wrenboys]].<ref name="Danaher22-25" /> Up until the mid-20th century, children in Ireland still went house-to-house asking for pennies for "poor Biddy", or money for the poor. In [[County Kerry]], men in white robes sang from house to house.<ref>Monaghan, p. 44.</ref>