Hygeia holding a pentangle and a staff encircled by a snake. In Greek and Roman mythology, Hygeia was a daughter of the god of medicine, Asclepius. She was the goddess (personification) of health, cleanliness and sanitation. Hygieia played an important part in her father's cult. While her father was more directly associated with healing, she was associated with the prevention of sickness and the continuation of good health. Her name is the source of the word "hygiene". She was imported by the Romans as the Goddess Valetudo, the goddess of personal health, but in time she started to be increasingly identified with the ancient Italian goddess of social welfare, Salus.