2007-10-30 19:52:40 · 5 answers · asked by Dolphin 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Mythology & Folklore
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caduceus
2007-10-30 20:00:04 · answer #1 · answered by freshbliss 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A caduceus is a (sometimes) winged staff with two snakes wrapped around it. It was an ancient astrological symbol of commerce and is associated with the Greek god Hermes, the messenger for the gods, conductor of the dead and protector of merchants and thieves. It was originally a herald's staff, sometimes with wings, with two white ribbons attached. The ribbons eventually evolved into snakes. The caduceus is sometimes inaccurately used as a symbol for medicine, especially in North America, but the traditional medical symbol is the rod of Asclepius with only a single snake and no wings.
2007-10-31 23:31:03 · answer #2 · answered by Rachelle_of_Shangri_La 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The snakes represent the sacred animals of Asclepios, the Greek God of medicine, who used their poison to produce medication. Actually snake poison is still used in the manufacture of medication.
2007-10-31 08:15:27 · answer #3 · answered by cpinatsi 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the universal symbol of medicine it is one snake but in north america it is incorrectly displayed as two, hence your confusion.
2007-10-31 04:20:03 · answer #4 · answered by pxyfox2000 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The snake represent a venom from its bite and the sickness acquired by a man. So by the power of medicine which will be injected or taken by oral dose, the sickness will be cured.
jtm
2007-10-31 03:23:05 · answer #5 · answered by Jesus M 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋