Health, Medicine, Healing: Healing Gods List (Top 25)
Throughout time, men have placed their fate in the hands of gods linked to medicine.
This is not surprising: even though many skeptics today will argue to the contrary, the fact is that many extraordinary cures can be attributed to them.
A health god usually never ceases to amaze people. Spectacular healings therefore but sometimes also terrible curses, its powers often encompass a broader spectrum than we can think.
Today's bygone cultures also contain a whole bunch of legends, magical beliefs and traditions on this subject.
Asking for the help of a healing god during a ritual was therefore common. However, this had to be done under very specific conditions... You don't invoke a god of health that easily!
Regardless, we can find evidence from all eras demonstrating the effectiveness of some of them. If, unfortunately, you or someone close to you is feeling sick or weak physically, emotionally or spiritually, a healing god might just be able to help you.
So now we will offer you a description of 25 of them, so that you can determine which medicine god to choose in your case.
Contents :
Egyptian gods
1) Isis: the Egyptian goddess of healing
In ancient times, Isis was known to be an Egyptian goddess of healing.
The powers of Isis were such that its name traveled around the Mediterranean: from Beirut to Marseille, everyone heard about it.
This suggests the powerful powers of this Egyptian healing goddess, and this type of pendant representing the goddess Isis.
One of the most famous stories in the mythology of the Egyptian people explains how she brought her brother Osiris back to life with the help of her healing magic.
2) Heka: the Egyptian goddess of health
Heka is the Egyptian goddess of health, well-being and the common good.
Many of his followers had the reputation of being exceptional doctors.
Heka was in fact elevated to the rank of Egyptian goddess of health because she is said to have unlocked the secret of age-old magic making it possible to cure all illnesses.
3) Sekhmet: the Egyptian goddess of renewal
There are few healing gods as ambivalent as Sekhmet.
A lioness-headed goddess, she embodies the power and energy of the Sun. So it's linked to things like war and destruction... but also to healing and life. (Otherwise we wouldn't be talking about it here!)
Much like the Sun, the goddess Sekhmet possesses the power to destroy the old with her mere presence, leaving room for the new to take hold.
So here we are talking about a goddess of health capable of particularly impressive healings.
Greek and Roman gods
4) Asclepius: the Greek god of medicine
Asclepius is a well-known member of the Greek pantheon.
Greek god of medicine, he is the guide and protector of doctors and all caregivers.
The most powerful healing god, Asclepius even tried to bring men back to life... something he unfortunately never succeeded in.
Its magical healing power is unrivaled. No one can even approach him.
Because this Greek god of medicine contributed enormously to the healing of thousands, Asclepius was extremely admired.
He also gave us a lucky charm which serves as a symbol of current medicine: the staff of Asclepius.
5) Apollo: the Greek god of healing
Son of Zeus and Leto, Apollo is a multifaceted god.
He is notably known as the Greek god of healing, music, poetry, art, oracles, archery, sunlight and knowledge.
Greek mythology is also full of stories that tell us of the exploits of Apollo, notably cases of people who suddenly regained health through contact with him.
These same stories allow us to know some of the lucky charms associated with this Greek god of healing. The sun of Apollo is a good example.
6) Hygeia: the Greek goddess of health
In both Greek and Roman mythology, Hygeia was the Greek goddess of health. Many people today still consider it to have an important role in certain healings.
It's actually not surprising that Hygieia occupies the role of Greek goddess of health: she is the daughter of Asclepius (whom we talked about earlier).
Particularly in the prevention of hygienic diseases, it plays the greatest role. The word “hygiene” actually comes from its name!
This means that if you are facing an illness or any type of health crisis that is still at an initial stage, you can pray to Hygie in order to gain tone and health, or proudly wear this Hygie Cup brooch ( its lucky symbol).
7) Panacea, the Greek goddess of healing (minor)
Panacea is the Greek goddess of healing and universal remedy.
She was the daughter of Asclepius and the sister of Hygeia.
Panacea is so powerful that its name was chosen to designate an “ultimate” remedy, capable of curing all ills.
So here is a healing goddess not to be overlooked…
8) Bona Dea: the Roman goddess of medicine
In ancient Rome, Bona Dea occupied the role of goddess of medicine, fertility but also chastity.
Bona Dea was strongly connected to the earth, and so some prayed to her to try to protect their farms and homes from earthquakes and other tremors.
Regardless, people most often thanked her for solving their fertility problems.
Bona Dea is therefore a Roman goddess of medicine who deserves our minimum interest.
Celtic gods
9) Brigit: the Celtic goddess of medicine
Brigit is a Celtic goddess of medicine.
She is undoubtedly the most powerful deity in the entire history of the Celtic people.
Many healing druids offered Brigit the most important place in their practice.
This is not surprising for a Celtic goddess of medicine.
Associated with healing, magic, and family life, Brigit is an ancient, forgotten deity who was once predominant in the minds of Europeans.
According to legend, all the medicinal herbs in the world grew from her tears falling on the ground.
More than a goddess of healing, Brigit also deals with witchcraft and magic.
10) Sirona: the Celtic goddess of health
Sirona was the Celtic goddess of health and water sources. She was mainly venerated in eastern Gaul and Belgium.
As a healing deity, she is often depicted with a serpent coiled around her arms.
In the middle of the temples dedicated to this Celtic goddess of health there was often a well reputed to be magical.
Anyone who drinks the sacred water of Sirona will immediately see their ailments mysteriously disappear...
Irish gods
11) Airmed: the Irish goddess of healing
Airmed is the Irish goddess of healing.
She is a member of the Tuatha De Danaan tribe, the oldest race of deities.
Airmed is known to be my Mother of all healers, the goddess of sacred remedies and herbs, as well as all things related to the art of healing.
Airmed is therefore indeed the Irish goddess of healing. As such, she holds extremely powerful magical powers.
She was known for her magical medicine work. It is also Airmed that is responsible for ensuring the health of those who have been injured in combat.
12) Dian Cecht: the Irish god of medicine
Dian Cecht is a major Irish god. He is the physician of the gods and the father of Cian, who in turn is the father of Lugh, the most important god to the Irish.
Dian Cecht would be able to help and heal any man on the verge of death... but in a strange way to say the least.
To cure the sick, Dian Cecht would throw them from the top of a well and come and fish them out the next day, the sick having mysteriously regained their health.
This could refer to a Celtic ritual involving simulated drowning.
In any case, this Irish healing god of medicine has a rather original way of helping us.
Hindu gods
13) Dhanvantari: the Hindu god of healing
Dhanvantari is the Hindu god of healing, and he appears in the Puranas as the main creator of Ayurveda.
Dhanvantari is depicted as a doctor-god who carries in his hands a bowl of Amrit (a form of holy water).
Praying to this Hindu god of medicine and health is a common practice throughout the Indian subcontinent.
Some say that it brings general good health, others rely on Dhanvantari for the cure of very specific ailments.
His birthday is celebrated every year by Ayurveda practitioners in Dhanteras, two days before Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights.
14) The Ashvins: the Hindu gods of healing
The Ashvins are two twin brothers, sons of the sun god Surya, from Hindu mythology.
Both brothers are always seen in the forms of handsome, bright and athletic young men.
Compassionate in nature, Ashvins always try to help those in need, from old women to former soldiers left behind by their condition.
The Ashvins can also change form at will and have the power to heal (hence their name as a healing god).
This latter ability has made them the subject of many myths which describe them as the Hindu gods of healing.
African gods
15) Aja: the Yoruban goddess of medicine
Aja is an Orisha (i.e. a human recognized as a goddess).
Some see her as a Yoruban goddess of healing. Others describe Aja more as one of medicine.
Regardless, everyone agrees to describe her as a forest spirit and medicinal plants.
Receiving his protection is of great value because it will allow you to discover the secrets of making remedies.
This knowledge, Aja would have shared with the Yoruban people (a people of West Africa), thus helping them to combat the epidemics which were raging in the region.
This is a goddess who really deserves the title of healing god, don't you think?
16) Babalu Aye: the African god of healing
Babalu Aye is an African god of healing, especially when it comes to infectious diseases.
Smallpox, leprosy, ebola, AIDS: all these diseases are wreaking havoc on the Yoruba populations in Africa.
However, they are not alone. Babalu Aye is there to share with them the powers of the African god of healing.
The inhabitants of certain regions also believe that a prayer to Babalu Aye could be enough to help them heal.
Regardless, this medicine god is renowned for having demonstrated his healing abilities on numerous occasions.
17) Mami Wata: the African goddess of health
Simultaneously beautiful, seductive and dangerous, Mami Wata is celebrated across much of West Africa.
African goddess of health, Mami Wata is said to be a spirit associated with water and all the benefits of this natural element.
Synonymous with effective medicine and safe healing, praying to this African goddess of health is a good way to treat certain illnesses.
Mami Wata therefore occupies a special place in the hearts of millions of Africans.
18) Erinle: the Yoruba god of vitality
Erinle literally means “elephant”. He is the god of the natural forces of the universe in Yoruba tradition.
When associated with earth, Erinle is powerful, imposing, strong and unyielding.
When associated with waters, it is quick and invigorating.
Erinle would actually have the ability to constantly switch between states depending on what her people need most.
Either way, in either case, Erinle is the Yoruba health god most capable of curing our ailments.
Persian and Mesopotamian gods
19) Anahita: the Persian goddess of medicine
Despite having rather positive attributes, Anahita was often prayed to in times of war.
In fact, many soldiers relied on it to protect them from the horrors of war.
It is interesting to note that, until the arrival of Islam in the country, Anahita was one of the most popular deities in Persia (now Iran).
20) Ningishzida: the Sumerian god of health
In Mesopotamian religion, Ningishzida is the protective deity of the city of Gishbanda.
The role of Ningishzida is not necessarily important in the mythology of Sumer, but he nevertheless occupies certain roles.
Among these, he is notably the Sumerian god of health, roots and winding trees.
It may seem surprising that something as important (from our point of view anyway) as medicine would be attributed to the minor god Ningishzida, but it is.
Pre-Columbian gods
21) Ixtliton: the Aztec god of medicine
Ixtlilton is the Aztec god of medicine and sacred fasting.
The temples dedicated to him contained magic jars called “tlital” whose contents were said to be able to cure all illnesses.
Fray Bernardino de Sahagún, in his “Historia general de las cosas de Nueva España” (1570-1582) writes that, when a child is healed, the parents take to their home a priest who officiated in the name of the god Ixtliton.
A big celebration then takes place in the family home which consists of “dancing and singing”.
22) Ixchel: the Mayan goddess of medicine
Ixchel (pronounced Ix-chel) was the Mayan goddess of medicine, the moon, love, pregnancy and the textile arts.
The Mayans often represented Ixchel accompanied by a rabbit, a symbol of vitality and health.
In fact, her name literally means “the rainbow lady”.
Because she was the Mayan goddess of medicine, Ixchel was celebrated during the period of the festival of "Zip", an event during which the Mayans thanked her for looking after their health.
Chinese gods
23) Shennong: the Chinese god of medicine
Talk to a Chinese person about Shennong and you might see a fire awaken in their eyes.
Shennong is a half-historical, half-legendary figure.
For the real part, we know that he would have been born in the 28th century BCE and that he would have held the position of Emperor of China.
As for the legend, he was born with a bull's head...
In short, Shennong is the Chinese god of traditional medicine, healing plants, the plow and plowing.
24) Shouxing: the Chinese god of longevity
The Sanxing (also known in the West as the “Three Stars”) is a group of three Chinese deities made up of Fu, Lu and Shou. We will only focus here on the last one.
Shouxing (often shortened to Shou) is indeed the Chinese god of health and longevity.
Fairly easy to recognize, he appears in the form of a smiling old man with a huge forehead carrying a stick at the end of which is a gourd.
According to Chinese tradition, this gourd contains an elixir of longevity capable of extending the life of anyone who drinks it.
Others
25) Eir: the Norse goddess of healing
Eir means “help” in Old Norse (the language of the Vikings). His name itself therefore indicates his deep love for humanity.
Eir is actually the Norse goddess of healing and all medical skills.
Much admired for her healing magic, Eir is not only the healing goddess of men, but also of the gods.
Lucky charms featured in this article
Pendant of the Staff of Asclepius
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Brooch of the Hygieian Cup
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