Gustav Klimt “Medicine”

Hygeia and Panacea were daughters of Asclepius, Greek god of medicine. Hygiea was the goddess of health, cleanliness and sanitation; Panacea was the goddess of universal remedy.

Hygeia is often depicted with a bowl and a snake. Her presence in the pantheon tells us that, even with no idea of germ theory, the Greeks still understood the importance of a clean environment to preventing the spread of disease. Every time you wipe down a surface with disinfectant or wash your hands with soap, you are saying a little prayer to Hygeia to keep you safe from ill-health.

Panacea was the provider of the medicinal remedies. The idea of the “panacea” as a universal cure-all has mystical connotations too, as seen in the alchemists’ search for the Philosophers Stone, or the elixir of life. As long as humanity has experienced the inevitability of sickness and mortality, there has been someone working to find a cure. We see Panacea working through every physician, midwife, epidemiologist, pharmacist, medical researcher, and wise woman that dedicates their life to ending or alleviating suffering. Hygeia, Panacea, Asclepius and Apollo are all mentioned in the Hippocratic oath.

Currently, asteroids Hygeia and Panacea are at 4 degrees Gemini and 6 degrees Leo, respectively.