Salus: Goddess of Health

Salus

For Saturnalia this year, I am Salus, the Goddess of health and welfare. As the daughter of Asclepius, the God of Medicine, I am an important part of my father's cult and will often be worshipped with him. I am also the personification of physical and mental health and am associated with the prevention of illness as well as hygiene and sanitation. As Asclepius's chief attendant, my duty is feeding and caring for my father's sacred snakes. In 302 BC, I had a temple in the Quirinal where Romans annually celebrated Augurium Salutis, a ceremony in which they asked me and other Gods whether it was auspicious to pray for peace. Because this ceremony could only be performed on a day of peace, Roman armies were forbidden to march or engage. During the ritual, priests made offerings and prayed for the health of individuals as well as the state. My temple also received many prayers at the beginning of the year, on days of sickness, and on the birthdays of emperors.

My earthy, light green stola (as well as my mortar and pestle) represents the practice of preventative medicine and herbs. In my hands, I carry a snake feeding from a bowl, symbolic of healing powers, and a stress ball representing my status as the guardian of mental health. I have also donned a white tunica, brown sandals, a rope belt, and a wreath crown.

To create the snake, I used origami; I cut out and taped together longs strips of construction paper and folded them into "water-bomb bases". I then unfolded and manipulated the paper accordingly. To create the mortar and pestle, I used clay and a gray plastic sheet (which I wrapped over the clay to give it a more realistic color and texture). The rest of my costume (tunica, belt, etc.) consisted of leftover fabrics and materials I found at my house. I have enjoyed this learning experience and am excited to celebrate another year of Saturnalia!