Hygieia and the Hippocratic Oath

Hygieia and the Hippocratic Oath 


Hygieia was the Greek goddess of health and hygiene. Her father Asclepius had as his symbol a rod, with a snake twined around it. 

Correspondingly, Hygieia's symbol was a cup or chalice with a snake twined around its stem and poised above.

Today, the cup or chalice of the goddess - known as the Bowl of Hygieia - is one of the symbols of pharmacy. 

Along with the Rod of Asclepius, the Bowl of Hygieia is one of the most ancient and important symbols related to medicine in western countries. 

Hygieia, along with Asclepius, Panacea (Greek goddess of universal remedy), and Apollo, were invoked in the original Hippocratic Oath.

The Hippocratic Oath began:
   “I swear by Apollo the physician, 
     and Asclepius, and Hygieia and
     Panacea and all the gods and 
     goddesses as my witnesses, that, 
     according to my ability and 
     judgement, I will keep this Oath 
     and this contract”

Written in the 5th century BCE, the Hippocratic Oath is one of the oldest documents in history. The creators intended this oath to be a binding covenant.

Contemporary doctors, however, see the oath more as a promise to uphold the art of medicine and act in patients' interests.

[Image: Hygieia by Gustav Klimt (1862-1918). The Klimt University of Vienna Ceiling Paintings, also known as the Faculty Paintings, were a series of paintings made by Gustav Klimt for the ceiling of the University of Vienna's Great Hall between the years of 1900-1907.  In 1894, Herr Klimt was commissioned to paint the ceiling. Upon presenting his paintings, Philosophy, Medicine and Jurisprudence, he came under attack for 'pornography' and 'perverted excess' in the paintings. None of the paintings would go on display in the university.]

The Smart Witch by Elizabeth

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