Dian Cécht — the Celtic God of Medicine and Healing
- Main
- >
- Celtic Mythology
- >
- Celtic Pantheon of Gods
- >
- Dian Cécht
Dian CéchtDian Cécht is the Celtic god of medicine and healing, considered a master healer capable of curing nearly any illness or wound. He is depicted holding a great leech or serpent in his hands.
When the war goddess Morrígan gave birth to a son, the child was born unbearably hideous, and a prophecy declared that this child would become the ruin of Ireland. Dian Cécht decided the infant must be killed as swiftly as possible. But when he did, three serpents crawled out of the newborn god's heart. To prevent the prophecy from still coming true, he killed them without delay as well. Fearing that even in death they might pose a threat, he burned them and scattered their ashes into the nearest river. The moment the ashes touched the water, the river began to boil, killing everything living within it. Ever since, it has been called the Barrow, which translates as "the boiling one."
Related Articles
