October 1, 2024

Uffizi Gallery

8. Hygieia

We touched on Hygieia in the October 1, 2022 issue of the Florence edition, but I would like to elaborate further.

Hygieia is a goddess appearing in Greek mythology.

She is one of the daughters of the god of medicine, Asclepius, who is the son of Apollo, the ancestor of medicine.

In other words, she is Apollo’s granddaughter.

Like her father Asclepius, she is accompanied by a snake and carries a cup (or a jar) containing medicine or water.

 (There is also a theory that she feeds the snake of Asclepius with food placed in the cup.)

The "Bowl of Hygieia," which features this snake and cup motif, is used as a symbol by many pharmaceutical associations around the world.

While Asclepius's staff symbolizes medicine, Hygieia's bowl symbolizes pharmacy.

As the worship of Asclepius spread, devotion to Hygieia also grew stronger.

Since Hygieia was a female deity, she became revered as a goddess who protects women's health.

It is said that during that time, it became fashionable among women to use statues of Hygieia as hair ornaments.

Hygieia derives from the Greek word "hygies" (healthy), and is also the root of the English word "hygiene" (cleanliness, health, sanitation).

In Roman mythology, Hygieia is known as Salus.

Since "Salus" is the goddess of health, in Italian, health is called "salute."

When you hear the word "hygiene," you might think of feminine hygiene products.

However, starting today, please remember the Greek goddess of health from mythology.

   Here are Hygieia statue and the logos of various countries' pharmaceutical associations.

In all countries, the "Bowl of Hygieia" is a symbol of pharmacy.