Dian Cecht

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In Irish mythology, Dian Cécht (Old Irish pronunciation /dʲiːən kʲeːxt/) was a god of healing. He was the healer for the Tuatha Dé Danann and the father of Cian, Cú, and Cethen. His other children were Miach, Airmed, Étan the poetess,^[1] and Ochtriullach.^[2]

He blessed a well called Slane so that the Tuatha Dé could bathe in when wounded; they became healed and continued fighting. It would heal any wound but decapitation.^[2]

He made King Nuada a silver arm which could move and function as a normal arm. Later, Dian Cecht's son, Miach, replaced the silver arm with an arm of flesh and blood, and Dian Cecht killed him out of professional envy.^[2]

Dian Cecht was also able to heal Mider after the latter lost an eye when struck with a twig of hazel.^[3]

Dian Cecht's healing powers were invoked in Ireland as late as the 8th century.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Etymology

According to Dr. John Koch at the University of Wales,^{[citation needed]} the name ‘Diancecht’ may be derived from a Proto-Celtic compound lexeme such as *Dein-jikkā-φitus, which would have meant ‘quick-healing nourishment.’ The Brittonic form of this name would therefore have been similar to *Dēnīccāhitus. According to this theory, the compound would have developed in Old Irish as Diancecht before being later re-analysed as two separate words, as in the form Dian Cecht.

[edit] References

1. ^ Lebor Gabála Érenn. R. A. Stewart Macalister (ed./trans.). Part IV. Irish Texts Society, Dublin, 1941. § VII.
2. ^ ^{a b c} Cath Maige Tuireadh. Elizabeth A. Gray (trans.)
3. ^ Tochmarc Étaíne.