How many times do the snakes intertwine on the Caduceus;the symbol with wings usually associated w/ medicine?

Question

I want to know the exact amount, I am considering getting a tattoo!!! Please be factual in the amount of times they intertwine if you can.

Thx for ur help!!! :-)

Answer 1

They cross over four times......It is a very ancient symbol......it can mean balance and good conduct.....The entwined snake symbol is ancient and pretty much universal....the caduceus has the snakes winding round the staff or wand of Mercury...in ancient Mesopotamia the intertwined serpents were a symbol of the god who cured illness,,,,(medical symbol origin perhaps?)....Buddhists symbolize khundalini by the snake too....you must have the snakes cross at four points ..as that symbolizes the four elements......

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

There are many different renditions of the caduceus.
Typically, the snakes intertwine 5 times, but I have seen as few as 2 and as many as 7.

here are a few:
http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?p=caduceus&fr=yfp-t-501&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8

Answer 4

Before you even go there, you should think hard about whether you want the Asclepian or the Hermetic wand. I've always been a little leery of the latter, as one of Hermes' functions was to accompany the dead to the underworld. The single serpent, no wings, seems a safer bet.

Answer 5

Just so you know, the caduceus was a symbol and staff of Hermes before it became entangled with modern medicine.

Answer 6

I can help you on this, I work in the Emergency Medical field.
The snake starts at the bottom with the tail on the right side and then goes around behind it and then in front and then behind it and in front again so that the head is in front of it and is facing to the right. This is described as if you are looking at it.

Answer 7

i think twice. Each snake wraps twice each

but you should really be more certain when getting a tattoo n do research yourself. It's permanent

Answer 8

here is a picture of it