9 Gods of Healing From World Mythologies and Religions

Gods and Goddesses of Healing

Disease has terrorized mankind since ancient times. Indeed, there are few things more frightening than an invisible enemy that none are immune from. It could even be said that illnesses, i.e. pestilence, are more effective than wars at wiping out entire populations.

In the face of this threat, ancient civilizations fervently prayed to divine beings for protection and miraculous recoveries. Jump forth to today, many such gods and goddesses of healing are still actively worshipped throughout the world—a few are even considered the patron deities of some cities.

This belief in miraculous powers of healing will continue to be a significant aspect of religions for a long time.

1. Asclepius

The most well-known ancient Greek god of healing and a son of Apollo, Asclepius is today, still widely associated with medical assistance.

His staff is the de facto symbol of modern paramedic organizations. Historically, various healing sanctuaries of Asclepius were also established across Ancient Greece. The most famous of these, Epidaurus, is one of the most visited and important archeological sites in Greece today.

In Greek mythology, Asclepius was born in Epidaurus, the child of Apollo and a Thessalian princess named Coronis. (Alternate versions claim his mother was Arsinoe) Taught the art of medicine by the legendary Centaur Chiron, Asclepius eventually became so skilled as a healer, he could resurrect the dead.

Doing so enraged the gods. In the version of the myth recorded by Diodorus Siculus, Hades, the Lord of the Greek Underworld, accused Asclepius of “acting to the detriment of his own province.” In other words, stealing the rightful subjects of the underworld.

Zeus then struck Asclepius dead with his lightning bolt. According to Hyginus' Astronomica, the deceased physician was thereafter placed among the stars by Zeus as the constellation Ophiuchus.

Cicero’s Fasti alternatively states that Zeus later resurrected Asclepius and made him a god. Presumably, one of the Greek gods of healing.

The Wrong Staff

Many paramedic establishments use the “wrong” staff as the representation of medical assistance. In Greek myths, any staff with two snakes is that of Hermes, the Messenger God. Asclepius’ staff has only one snake.

Snakes were also sacred to Asclepius. His shrines and temples were described as full of them. The hopeful will sleep overnight in these sanctuaries in hopes of visions or visits from the healer god.

2. Bhaisajyaguru

More commonly referred to in East Asian countries as the “Medicine Buddha,” Bhaisajyaguru is the Buddha of Healing and Medicine in Mahayana Buddhism. One of the “three precious Buddhas” of East Asian Mahayana Buddhism, statues of him are common throughout Buddhist temples in East and Southeast Asia. Most depict him as seated and serenely holding a medicinal bowl.

Ironically, the Medicine Buddha Sutra itself does not describe Bhaisajyaguru as a god of healing. The Medicine Buddha is famous for making 12 vows of salvation for humanity. However, only the sixth vow specifically mentions illnesses.

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It is therefore more accurate to envision the Medicine Buddha as capable of “curing” the sickness of the world through his teachings and not as a miraculous healer of diseases. Regardless, the Medicine Buddha is still widely prayed to by Buddhists for speedy recoveries from illnesses.

The Chinese common name for Bhaisajyaguru is also yao shi (药师). Yao means “medicine” while shi means “master.” Together, the characters denote an alchemist or a master of healing. This name undoubtedly adds to the misunderstanding.

3. Brigid

Brigid (or Brighid) is an ancient Irish/Gaelic goddess associated with fertility, smiths, and healing. Mythologically, she was the daughter of the Dagda, the father god of Gaelic beliefs, and the wife of Bres, an unpopular leader of the Tuatha Dé Danann.

Rather confusingly, Irish myths state that the Dagda actually has three daughters, all named Brigid, and together they represent poetry, magic learning, healing, fertility, craftsmanship, and the ability to terrorize a hostile army. In worship, though, the trio of goddesses is usually regarded as a single deity.

Upon the spread of Christianity in Ireland, Brigid’s name was adopted by Mary of the Gaels, an abbess believed by some to be the daughter of a druid and perhaps even a former priestess of the goddess(es) herself. Mary of the Gaels is, of course, better known today as Saint Bridget of Kildare. As the patroness of Ireland, Saint Bridget retained several aspects of the pagan triune goddess, most prominently, fertility. Saint Bridget’s festival on February 1 is also on the same date as the pagan festival of Imbolg, with the latter being one of the major Celtic seasonal festivals.

On another note, this Irish goddess of healing is credited with the invention of keening, this being a style of mourning that combines intense weeping and singing. The tradition was started when Brigid wailed after learning of her son Ruadán's death.

In her modern retelling of Irish myths, author Augusta Gregory described the pagan goddess as beloved by poets, and a “woman of healing.”

4. Dhanvantari

In Hinduism, Dhanvantari is the physician of the gods, an avatar of the Preserver God Vishnu, and a god of medicine. The Garuda Purana also describes him as the creator of Ayurveda, the historical medical system of the sub-continent.

Today, Hindus across South Asia pray to Dhanvantari for good health and physical preservation. In India, his birthday is even celebrated by Ayurvedic practitioners as National Ayurveda Day.

As for the “origin story” of the god, Dhanvantari is believed to have come into existence during the Churning of the Ocean of Milk, an event named the Samudra Manthan in Hinduism.

The beloved god of healing rose from the mythical ocean holding a precious pot of amrita, the nectar of immortality. Though the pot was greedily snatched away by the enemies of the gods, i.e., the Asuras, it was successfully retrieved.

Other stories, such as Dhanvantari teaching humans the science of Ayurveda, then led to the god being venerated as a divine surgeon and physician. Today, Dhanvantari is one of the most revered gods of healing in the Hindu faith. There are also many temples dedicated to him in India. This is especially so In Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

The Dhanvanatari-Nighantu

The Dhanvanatari-Nighantu is a historical medical glossary said to be authored by Dhanvantari. However, researchers believe the glossary was compiled around BC 100.

5. Isis

Like many mother goddesses from ancient faiths, the Egyptian goddess Isis is associated with many things. For example, fertility, marriage, magic, the afterlife, and of course, healing.

The most famous and important goddess of the ancient Egyptian pantheon, Isis is also a key character in the Resurrection of Osiris myth, in which she went to extraordinary lengths to revive her slain husband—a feat that included reassembling his dismembered body.

In later parts of the Osiris myths, Isis regularly heals her son Horus too. This led Ancient Egyptian magicians to believe that mentioning such healing could extend the effect to humans. Isis’ other mythical accomplishments furthermore resulted in her being beloved as a goddess of protection, not just of the living and the sick, but of the deceased as well.

Following the conquest of Egypt by Greece and then Rome, the worship of Isis was integrated with other faiths, with veneration of her lasting into the fifth century. Today, some historians believe that Isis had a strong influence on some Christian practices. This stemmed from the similarities between the image of Isis nursing an infant Horus and Mother Mary nursing Christ.

However, this hypothesis is heavily debated.

6. Ixchel

There are different beliefs about Ixchel, a powerful goddess in Mayan mythology. Some aspects of these beliefs are completely contradictory.

Newer descriptions tend to portray the goddess as beautiful and seated on or beside a rainbow. A benevolent rainbow goddess associated with many aspects of life, from war to medicine, to midwifery.

Older depictions, on the other hand, envision her as elderly and plump, and with jaguar ears and fangs. Often, with claws and a writhing serpent in her headdress too.

Regardless of iconology, Ixchel is the consort of the high-god Itzamma in Mayan mythology. She represents fertility, the Moon, medicine, pregnancy, and the textile arts (weaving). Archeological evidence also suggests that she was consulted by Mayan physicians and was widely venerated by women, particularly, those seeking pregnancy. In fact, her sanctuary at Cozumel was so popular, it was considered one of the most important Mayan pilgrimage sites.

Another testimony to Ixchel’s religious popularity with women is Isla Mujeres. This so-called “Island of Women” in the Gulf of Mexico was so named by Hernán Cortés because of the numerous Ixchel statues found there. Historically, a temple of Ixchel once stood here.

Lastly, syncretization with Catholicism resulted in the imagery of Ixchel being conflated with that of the Virgin Mary. Today, women continue to make pilgrimages to both Cozumel and Isla Mujeres. The Virgin and Ixchel also share many prayers.

7. Ji Gong

Historically, Ji Gong was a Chinese Buddhist monk* who lived during the Southern Song Dynasty, one who’s credited with mythical healing powers.

Described as a filthy beggar who did not observe Buddhist precepts forbidding the consumption of meat and alcohol, widespread tales of Ji Gong supernaturally healing commoners and standing up to injustice led to him becoming one of the most venerated deities in Chinese folkloric practices. In modern times, over 30 movies and television series based on Ji Gong’s adventures have been produced in East and Southeast Asia.

Among the many outrageous stories associated with the eccentric monk, the most memorable are also those of Ji Gong’s dirt pills. In these bizarre tales, Ji Gong would shape elixirs using dirt rubbed off his body. Anyone who dares to ingest any will be instantly rejuvenated. That is, if one is worthy of salvation.

Other Chinese folktales hail Ji Gong as the reincarnation of a Buddhist Arhat—an enlightened monk who has yet to achieve Buddhahood. Coming back to modern times, Lingyin Temple in the Zhejiang Province of China is the most famous temple associated with this Chinese folkloric health god. Historically, the temple was where Ji Gong was ordained as a monk.

* Ji Gong’s birthname is Li Xinyuan. After he was ordained as a monk, he was renamed Du Ji. The name Ji Gong roughly means “Grandfather Ji.”

8. Sukuna Hikona

Famous for his diminutive size and knowledge, Sukuna Hikona enjoys many epithets in Shintoism.

According to the Kokiji, he appeared to Okuninushi, the ancient ruler of Izumo, while riding a Metaplexis pod and wearing the skin (or feathers) of a goose. After a brief fracas which mostly involved the midget deity ignoring Okuninushi’s questions, Sukuna Hikona was revealed to be the child of a supreme Shinto god.