In mythology, the goddess Minerva stands at the threshold between many identities: a goddess of war as well as artistic craft, of logic and creativity, straddling femininity and masculinity—a unique form that reflects the nuances of healthcare.

 

One of the most well-known myths of Minerva (or her Greek counterpart Athena) is that of Arachne, a girl who challenges the goddess to a weaving contest. Both create intricate tapestries of the gods, Arachne depicting their flaws while Minerva shows their power and authority. Some versions of the myth tell that Minerva was jealous of Arachne’s talent, while others write that the goddess was simply enraged by the disrespect. This drives her to destroy Arachne’s tapestry, and turn the girl into a spider.  

 

This hubris reveals that even wisdom can be bound by pride and tradition, a theme reflected in the long-standing hierarchies and precedents of the healthcare system. Like Minerva, the healthcare system is not perfect, yet, Minerva’s duality offers a reminder that progress is born from standardization as well as reflection and humility. Through this goddess, we can imagine a system not of rigidity but of balance.