The image of a snake coiled around a staff has long been regarded as a symbol of the medical profession. This symbol can be easily seen on pharmaceutical packaging or in hospitals. While snakes are dangerous creatures, making them seem an unsuitable choice for a medical symbol, there is a historical story behind it.
The symbol featuring two snakes entwined around a winged staff is commonly known as the Caduceus.
In fact, there are two versions of this symbol. The symbol with two snakes wrapped around a winged staff is often referred to as the Caduceus. This staff is actually the caduceus of Hermes, the messenger of the gods in Greek mythology. Hermes is depicted as a messenger between the gods and humans (explaining the wings) and as a guide to the underworld (explaining the staff). Additionally, he is the patron of travelers, which makes his connection to medicine fitting since, in ancient times, physicians had to travel long distances to visit patients.
According to one legend, the winged staff was given to Hermes by Apollo. In another version, he received the staff from Zeus, the king of the gods. Initially, the staff was wrapped with two bands of white ribbon. It was only later that the snakes appeared. The legend tells that when Hermes saw two snakes fighting, he used the staff to separate them. Immediately, they coiled around the staff and would not let go, thus we have the Caduceus symbol as we know it today.
The staff without wings and only one snake wrapped around it.
Another version of this symbol is the staff without wings and only one snake wrapped around it. This staff belongs to Asclepius, the god of medicine, who is the son of Apollo and Princess Coronis. According to mythology, he not only possessed the gift of healing but also knew how to resurrect the dead.
In one version, Zeus killed Asclepius with a lightning bolt because he believed he was disrupting the natural order of the world by bringing the dead back to life. In another version, Asclepius was punished by Zeus for charging money from those he resurrected. Subsequently, Zeus placed him in the sky as the constellation Ophiuchus.
The Greeks regarded snakes as sacred and used them in healing rituals to honor Asclepius. Snake venom was used to create medicines, and their shedding was seen as a symbol of rebirth and renewal.
