I have seen this symbol often signifiying medical associations. What is the origin of it?
2006-10-15 02:23:29 · 6 answers · asked by teplitz39 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
It's the caduceus! The staff of the god Mercury/Hermes. According to Wikipedia: "The basic power of the Caduceus is the primal power to heal or harm....In the seventh century, the caduceus came to be associated with a precursor of medicine, based on the Hermetic astrological principles of using the planets and stars to heal the sick. As a symbol for medicine, the caduceus is often used interchangeably with the Rod of Asclepius (single snake, no wings), although learned opinion prefers the Rod of Asclepius, reserving the caduceus for representing commerce.[1] Historically, the two astrological symbols had distinct meanings in alchemical and astrological principles."
Hence its use as a symbol of the medical profession.
2006-10-15 02:35:12 · answer #1 · answered by alison k 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
It is called a Caduceus. It is often confused for the "rod of Asclepius" which has one snake around the staff and no wings.
2016-05-22 03:40:49 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is the caduceus of Mercury (the messenger of the gods), and the symbol of healers and magicians for many centuries. As to why the snakes, we can only speculate.
2006-10-15 02:33:27 · answer #3 · answered by auntb93again 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its because of roman mithology there was a god Mercury, he was the messanger of the god s but he was also the god of science and invention and he had a staff with that symbol on it and it has just become a sign for medical stuff. there ate lots of roman god things that people dont relize. like the word nike and the nike swish is from a god that was i think good at athletics or running something like that.
2006-10-15 02:48:01 · answer #4 · answered by lizzy r 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It comes from a Bible story. The people had grumbled against God and God sent fiery serpents into their midst. Many who were bitten died. The people repented and complained to Moses. God told Moses to make a bronze snake and lift it up on a pole. Those looking at the snake on a pole would be rescued from the fiery serpents.
2006-10-15 02:34:23 · answer #5 · answered by astro_wanabe 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I'm pretty sure it has christian origins. When Moses was leading the Israelites throught the desert, God gave everyone a deadly disease. The deal was that if Moses would hold up a snake on a stick and the people would look at it, they would be healed.
2006-10-15 02:33:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋