Dian Cécht

The Celtic god of healing. Dian Cécht (Dian Cecht) was the great physician of the Tuatha Dé Danann.

There is a lot of confusion over his parentage. Dian Cécht was said to be the son of Esarg and grandson of Neit. This makes Dian Cécht the brother of Goibhniu, Luchne and Creidne. He was also named as the son of Dagda. In another work, Dian Cécht was the son of Echtoigh and grandson of Esoirc, while in the Lebor Gabala he was called one of the seven sons of Ethliu. This would make him the brother of Dagda, Nuada, Goibhniu, Luchta, Credne and Lug Mac Cein. In one poem in the Dindshenchas, Dian Cécht was even called the son of Dagda, but this was clearly a mistake, because another poem in the same work stated differently.

Through the goddess Danu, Dian Cécht became the father of Goibhniu, Cian (Kian) and Sawan.

When Bres grew oppressive, the Dananns wanted Nuada to become their king. However, Nuada was disqualified from ruling Ireland because he lost one of his hands in battle against the Firbolgs. Dian Cécht replaced Nuada's hand with a silver hand, enabling Nuada to replace Bres as king.

Dian Cécht was not an ethical healer because he was jealous of anyone who surpassed him as a healer, even his own children. When Miach proved to be a greater healer than he was by restoring Nuada's original arm, Dian Cécht murdered his own son. When Airmed, his daughter, began categorising the herbs used for healing, Dian Cécht jealously mixed up the catalog so the results came out wrong.

In the war against the Fomorians, Dian Cécht blessed the water which the Dananns bathed in, healing their wounds and restoring their vigour.