HOME | DD

Description

"St Dymphna - Patron Saint of those suffering under Mental Illness"

St. Dymphna was the daughter of a pagan king. The king's mental health deteriorated as his advisors pressured him to remarry after his wife an Dympna's mother died. But he would only do so if his new wife matched the beauty of his late wife.
Soon he desired Dymphna because of the great resemblance between her and her mother.
When Dympna discovered all this, she fled to present-day Belgium with the help of a priest and a fool.
However, they were found by the King and he murdered the priest and attempted to bring her home to Ireland.
She refused however and in a fit of rage he struck off her head, she died at 15 years of age.
a few notes;
The red cloak - symbol of her royalty, but also because it symbolizes the blood she shed as a martyr.
White lilies - popular symbol of chastity and purity in Christianity.
The King's Crown - In Christianity, martyrdom is sometimes referred to as "The crown of martyrdom." I thought it would be powerful to include a more kingly crown to symbolize her sacrifice and courage in standing up to her own father. In doing so, she took the crown of martyrdom and placed it on her head.

15 years old. I can't even wrap my mind around that, I wish I had half as much courage as she did.

Something different than what I normally post I think, but
She is patron Saint of those suffering with mental illness, including anxiety and depression, so she's always held a special place in my heart.

Description

"St Dymphna - Patron Saint of those suffering under Mental Illness"

St. Dymphna was the daughter of a pagan king. The king's mental health deteriorated as his advisors pressured him to remarry after his wife an Dympna's mother died. But he would only do so if his new wife matched the beauty of his late wife.
Soon he desired Dymphna because of the great resemblance between her and her mother.
When Dympna discovered all this, she fled to present-day Belgium with the help of a priest and a fool.
However, they were found by the King and he murdered the priest and attempted to bring her home to Ireland.
She refused however and in a fit of rage he struck off her head, she died at 15 years of age.
a few notes;
The red cloak - symbol of her royalty, but also because it symbolizes the blood she shed as a martyr.
White lilies - popular symbol of chastity and purity in Christianity.
The King's Crown - In Christianity, martyrdom is sometimes referred to as "The crown of martyrdom." I thought it would be powerful to include a more kingly crown to symbolize her sacrifice and courage in standing up to her own father. In doing so, she took the crown of martyrdom and placed it on her head.

15 years old. I can't even wrap my mind around that, I wish I had half as much courage as she did.

Something different than what I normally post I think, but
She is patron Saint of those suffering with mental illness, including anxiety and depression, so she's always held a special place in my heart.