Borvo - Celtic God of Healing and Healing waters
Borvo was the Celtic god of healing and healing waters (or spas) and his worship was popular across much of western Europe.
Borvo's name means "One who boils". He was the son of the the goddess Sirona, one of the Celtic goddesses of cattle. The devine companion or consort of Borvo was Damona, who was the Celtic goddess of cattle although in some areas, such as Saone-et-Loire in Bourbon-Lancy (France) he is accompanied by Bormana, who was the female equivalent of Borvo.
Borvo was worshipped in areas with spas because the waters , especially thermal waters, were thought to have the capacity to heal.
The remains of shrines to the god have been discovered in towns, such as Aix-en-Diois and Aix-en-Diois, principally in Gaul (modern day France).
Inscibed tablets have been found which were offerings made by Borvo's worshippers asking for his help in healing themselves or someone they knew.
Borvo was worshipped across most of western Europe, from Gaul to Portugal, the Netherlands and to the British Isles. He would have therefore been a well-known god in Celtic culture. The god seems to have been particularly poplular in areas, such as Bourbon-Les-Bains and Bourbon-Lancy, where a significant number of inscriptions have been discovered in these towns. The name Bourbon is thought to have originated from Borvo.
Apollo, the Roman god of healing, and Borvo were usually joined with together as a latin version. Roman deities were often associated with Celtic gods due to a similarity in their powers, as in this case healing. Depictions of this kind were common during the time of Roman occupation of Gaul and other countries in Europe because it encouraged the idea of a harmonious relationship between the conquered Celts and the Romans.
Numerous depictions have been found of Borvo in Europe with the most well-known one representing the god as a warrior, holding a helmet and shield , and facing a large,raised snake (Vicky in France). Borvo is also shown sitting on a rock holidng a cup of bubbling liquid (Vichy in France and Colbridge in England). Others depict him holding a bag of money, a plate of fruit as well as a goblet which indicates he may have also been associated with fertility and the prosperity of cities in some areas (Entrains in France).
The influence of Borvo may still be found today with spas in Europe, such as the one at Bourboule in France, deriving an ancient link to the past in their literature.
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