Syncretism is the blending of tradition and culture from past to present; syncretism is portrayed through Ireland 's Saint Brigid's Day. Brigid is represented throughout Celtic myths and fairytales. The Celtic Brigid was said to be a very generous, loving woman. As Christianity entered Ireland , Brigid remained and her Celtic qualities were transformed into ideal Christian qualities. Brigid was still a very generous, loving woman yet her motivation was for the Lord. Religion shaped St. Brigid's Day.

 “Major religions, such as Christianity… seem to have begun as revitalization movements. Much of the mythology and symbolism of such movements has actually been borrowed from those of traditional rites de passage. But a circular process seems to be involved here, for successful revitalization movements tend to become institutionalized and to reestablish orderly cycles of life-crises celebration and a liturgical year with feasts and fasts which… become increasingly associated with the seasonal or calendrical round” (Turner 1982: 217).

  This quote is the perfect portrayal of Ireland 's St. Brigid's Day. Although Saint Brigid's Day is only a small celebration, celebrated February 1 st yearly, it contains significant meaning. It has become a new year for the Irish. For the Irish, it is a new beginning, a chance to start new.

   Saint Brigid's day exemplifies the Irish Culture. Seventy percent of Ireland is Catholic, so celebrating a saint is customary to the Irish. Many Irish-Catholics actually have an individual saint they may relate to and pray to daily. The Catholic religion is essential to the Irish. Through their faith, the Irish live their lives. “Bishop Willie Walsh of Killaloe admits that in the 20 th century the Catholic Church was the dominant influence on Irish society” (Rafferty 2003: 398). The Irish maintain a basic structure of living because of their religion. The Catholic faith provides them with a sense of right and wrong, and the knowledge that they are not alone, there is a God who controls their daily lives.

  How the Irish celebrate Saint Brigid's Day exemplifies the Irish values. The Irish are very invested in relationships, family, friends, and even local towns. This is portrayed through Brigid's journey to local households, celebrated by the entire town. Each household welcomes the Brigid into their home, while many local children follow behind Brigid also wanting to be included in the fun. Families watch as their children continue the tradition. The Irish are very invested in one another. They are very connected to one another's lives. This is due in part to the close nature of the Catholic Church.

  Ireland 's Saint Brigid's Day is similar to America 's Groundhog Day. Saint Brigid is known to warm the weather, similar to the belief if a ground hog sees it's shadow spring will come sooner. This is due to the fact that people look to a higher belief system or magic to control their daily lives. This is another example of Ireland 's faith. There are many farms in Ireland ; therefore they are very reliant on the weather. They live in an unpredictable world and it helps to know that someone is taking care of the unknown.