hygieia

Hygieia, often transliterated Hygieia, is the ancient Greek goddess of health, cleanliness, and the prevention of sickness, and a personification of preventive medicine. Her name comes from the Greek hygieia, meaning health or soundness, and she is closely linked to the concept of hygiene.

Mythology and family connections place Hygieia as the daughter of Asclepius, the god of medicine, and Epione, goddess of soothing. In many accounts she is part of a family of healing figures and is associated with sisters such as Panacea and Iaso, though the exact siblings vary by source. Hygieia is typically portrayed as influencing the ongoing maintenance of health rather than performing cures on demand.

Cult and iconography emphasize her role within healing traditions. Her cults were often connected to Asclepieia, the healing temples, where worshippers sought guidance on health and sanitation. In art, Hygieia is commonly shown as a young woman with a snake—often coiled around her arm or drinking from a cup—symbolizing renewal, longevity, and the continuity of life. The snake motif is a broader symbol of healing in Greek iconography, distinct from the Rod of Asclepius.

Influence and legacy extend into modern language and institutions. In Roman times she was sometimes identified with Salus, the personification of health and welfare, reflecting syncretism between Greek and Roman healing cults. The name Hygieia survives in the modern word hygiene and in various medical and public-health institutions that invoke her legacy of health preservation and preventive care.