Chronological Details (to show when custom was first noted.)
7th Century. Irish Law tract of this date attributes the custom to the class of Bruighfer (1).
12th Century, Giraldus Cambrensis records his notice of St. Bridget's fires.
1791. Manx example recorded.
1794. Callander example recorded.
Modern Survivals. Burghead (1889), Lancashire, Ireland.
Whether attached to Locality or Persons.
Locality.
Parallels in Civilised Countries.
(9) "In the Black Mountains it is usual to set aside a part of the log to burn on the last day of the Christmas feast; there, too, a part of the burnt log is placed in a cranny of the house as a charm against evil spirits; and the house-father when he stirs the fire on Christmas morning uses a burnt end of the log itself to rake together the embers."—Macmillan's Magazine, March, 1881, p. 206.
(10) "When a Russian family moves from one house to another, the fire is raked out of the old stove into a jar, and solemnly conveyed to the new one, the words 'Welcome grandfather to the new home,' being uttered when it arrives."—Ralston Songs of the Russian People, 120.
Parallels in Savage or Barbarous Tribes.
(11) When the Ovaherero return to the old werft (after having left it in consequence of a death having occurred there) the holy fire of the werft where they have been living is extinguished, and as a rule they take no brand of the holy fire with them to the old werft whither they return, but holy fire must now be obtained from the omukuru (dead ancestors).—South African Folk-Lore Journal, i. 61.
