The Snake Symbol: Healing And Hospitals

The image of a serpent wrapped around a staff is a familiar one, often seen in hospitals, clinics, and ambulances, as well as on pharmaceutical packaging and logos. This ancient emblem has a rich history and has been used to symbolise medicine and health. The symbol has its roots in Greek mythology and is associated with the gods Asclepius and Hermes. The Rod of Asclepius, featuring a single serpent, is considered the true symbol of medicine, while the Caduceus, featuring two serpents and wings, is seen as a symbol of commerce and peace. Despite this, the Caduceus has been widely adopted as a medical symbol, particularly in the United States, due to historical misunderstandings and confusion between the two symbols.

The Greek god Hermes is associated with the symbol

The Caduceus, a staff with two serpents winding upwards topped by a pair of wings, is often recognised as the symbol of medicine. However, this is a misunderstanding. The Caduceus is a symbol of the Greek god Hermes, the god of commerce, luck, travel, thieves, and peace.

There are multiple theories about the origin of the symbol. One theory suggests that Hermes received the staff from Apollo, the god of healing, as a gift of reconciliation after a long feud. The staff was originally unadorned, featuring only a pair of wings on top, a symbol of Hermes and his speed. The staff came to be associated with snakes when Hermes, upon seeing two serpents fighting, thrust the rod between them to stop their struggle. Both snakes curled around the rod, thus making the caduceus a symbol of peace.

Another theory suggests that Hermes received the staff from Zeus, the king of the gods. In this version of the story, the ribbons that were wrapped around the staff were replaced by serpents when Hermes used the staff to separate two fighting snakes, which then coiled around his staff and remained there in harmony.

The caduceus appeared on the uniforms of the United States Army Hospital Stewards around 1850, thus leading to its association with medicine. However, the Rod of Asclepius, which features only one snake and no wings, is the traditional and more widely used symbol of medicine. Asclepius was the son of Apollo and the demi-god of medicine. He is often depicted carrying a staff with one snake winding around it, symbolising healing, regeneration, and the consummate skill of the medical art.

The Greek healer Asclepius is linked to the symbol

There are several stories about why Asclepius is associated with the snake symbol. One story suggests that Asclepius was commanded to restore the life of Glaucus and was confined to a secret prison. While pondering his next move, he unknowingly killed a snake with his staff. Another snake then appeared with a herb in its mouth, which it placed on the head of the dead snake, bringing it back to life. Asclepius then used the same herb to revive Glaucus. Another variation of this story suggests that Asclepius learned about healing herbs from a snake and thus used serpents as a symbol of healing.

Asclepius was the son of Apollo, the god of healing, and a mortal woman named Coronis, a princess of Thessaly. He was associated with several gods, including the Roman/Etruscan god Vediovis and the Egyptian Imhotep. Asclepius was also linked to the Greek god Hermes, who is often depicted with a caduceus, a staff with two snakes and a pair of wings. The caduceus is often mistakenly used as a symbol of medicine, especially in the United States, instead of the Rod of Asclepius.

From the 5th century BC onwards, the cult of Asclepius grew in popularity, and pilgrims visited his healing temples to be cured of their illnesses. Snakes were introduced at the founding of each new temple, and these snakes, known as Aesculapian Snakes, were considered sacred and were allowed to slither freely among the sick and injured.

Snakes have been depicted in legends, epics, and mythologies since 3000 BC

The use of snakes as symbols of medicine and healing is likely due to their presence in legends, epics, and mythologies since 3000 BC. Snakes have been depicted in ancient age reliefs, statues, coins, and texts, influencing humankind for centuries.

In Mesopotamian art from the Akkadian Period until the Hellenistic Period (323 BC–31 BC), a dragon-like creature with horns, the body and neck of a snake, the forelegs of a lion, and the hind legs of a bird was used as a symbol for particular deities and as a general protective emblem. This creature, known as mušḫuššu in Akkadian, translates to "furious serpent." In Sumerian culture, snakes were important healing symbols, and in Hammurabi's Law Code (c. 1700 BC), the god Ninazu is identified as the patron of healing, with his son, Ningishzida, depicted with a serpent and staff symbol.

Snakes were also significant in Egyptian mythology, where they were associated with healing abilities. Hymns and offerings were made to the goddess, who was believed to manifest through the snake. In Egyptian myth, there were several snake-gods, such as the 'coiled one' Mehen, who assisted Ra in fighting Aapep, and the two-headed Nehebkau, who guarded the underworld.

In African mythology, the Dogon people of Mali believe in the Serpent Lebe, who guided their ancestors during migration and is considered the reincarnation of their first ancestor. The Fon people of West Africa worship the cosmic serpent Aido-Hwedo as a god, who carried the founding couple of Mawu and Lisa in his mouth to form the primordial world.

Snakes were also associated with wisdom in many mythologies, including Celtic Mythology and West African medicine men, who imitated the appearance of a snake preparing to strike before delivering prophecies. In Norse mythology, the snake biting its tail (Ouroboros) symbolized the sea and the eternal ring enclosing the world.

In Greek mythology, the titan Ophion, whose name means "snake," is said to have ruled the world with Eurynome before being overthrown by the titans Kronos and Rhea. Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine, was often depicted with a snake wrapped around his rod, symbolizing healing and rejuvenation.

The presence of snakes in these ancient legends, epics, and mythologies has contributed to their enduring influence on human culture, including their adoption as symbols of medicine and healing.

The caduceus is a symbol of commerce and other non-medical fields

The caduceus, a staff with two serpents winding upwards topped by a pair of wings, is commonly recognised as the symbol of medicine. However, this is a misunderstanding. The caduceus is, in fact, a symbol of commerce and other non-medical fields.

The caduceus is the traditional symbol of Hermes, the Greek messenger god and god of commerce, trade, luck, travel, thieves, negotiation, and peace. In Roman iconography, it was depicted being carried in the left hand of Mercury, the messenger of the gods. In Greek mythology, Hermes was given the staff by Apollo, the god of healing, as a gift of reconciliation after a long feud. The staff was originally unadorned, beyond the pair of wings on top, a symbol of Hermes and his speed.

The caduceus became associated with medicine due to ignorance and misunderstanding. One story tells that Hermes used the staff to separate two fighting snakes, which then coiled around it in harmony. Roman heralds would carry a caduceus before them to sue for peace as they carried messages. The caduceus appeared on the uniforms of the United States Army Hospital Stewards around 1850, and its use as a symbol of medicine became established in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The correct symbol for medicine is the Rod of Asclepius, which has only one snake and no wings. Asclepius was the son of Apollo and a demi-god of medicine. He was often depicted carrying a staff with one snake winding around it and was said to have learned about healing herbs from a snake. The Rod of Asclepius has been used as the true symbol to represent medicine since ancient times.

The rod of Asclepius is the traditional symbol of medicine

The rod of Asclepius, a serpent-entwined rod, is the traditional symbol of Asclepius, the Greek god associated with healing and medicine. The rod of Asclepius is often used as a symbol of medicine and healthcare and is commonly seen in medical institutions and on medical equipment. Its serpent-entwined design is a powerful and ancient symbol of healing and protection. The gideon symbol meaning is often associated with wisdom, renewal, and the power to restore health.

The snake has influenced mankind since ancient times and has been given a place in legends and mythologies. It was also depicted in ancient age reliefs, statues and coins, and was included in written texts. In this light, the question of why the snake is accepted as the symbol of health and medicine can be analysed. The snake is different from other animals, as it can slough its skin off, move fast despite the absence of feet and live underground and above the ground. Throughout history, the snake has been attributed several features such as power, speed, farsightedness, good luck, healing, health and long life. The snake's sloughing of its skin symbolises the renewal of life and rejuvenation.

The rod of Asclepius has been the symbol of medicine for a long time. A survey of 242 logos used by organisations related to health or medicine found that professional associations were more likely to display the rod of Asclepius (62%), while organisations with a commercial focus were more likely to use the caduceus (76%). Hospitals were an exception, with 37% using a staff of Asclepius and 63% using a caduceus. The caduceus is a staff with two serpents winding upwards topped by a pair of wings. It is frequently recognised as the symbol of medicine, but this is a misunderstanding. It is an ancient symbol of the Greek deity Hermes, the god of commerce, luck, travel and thieves.

The rod of Asclepius is the dominant symbol for professional healthcare associations in the United States. The American Medical Association (AMA) has used the Rod of Asclepius for over a century, and its current logo since 2005. In North America, there are calls to clarify the symbol and to move to a uniform use of the rod of Asclepius.

Frequently asked questions