Caduceus charms are a popular gift for graduating veterinary students, nurses and physicians but are you aware of how this emblem became so popular with medical workers? The Rod of Asclepius is a more suitable symbol for medicine and medical organisations, so why is the caduceus used though, unlike the Rod of Asclepius, it does not have any medical significance? In reality, just the opposite as the symbol is linked with Hermes, god of travel and the marketplace and of the craftiness of liars, and who is in general associated with misbehavior and deception. He was also the conductor of the dead to the afterlife, so the use of his symbol for medicine is especially inappropriate.
The Rod of Asclepius
The more appropriate logo is the Rod of Asclepius which is a walking stick intertwined by a snake. Asclepius was the god of medicine in the Greek myths and he had six daughters, Hygieia, Aglea, Aceso, Laso, Meditrina, and Panacea who signify cleanliness, healing and medicine. Panacea means literally ‘all healing’ and is a familiar word in present day English. Asclepius was the son of Coronis and Apollo and was brought up by centaur called Chiron, after his mother was executed for adultery. It was Chiron who gave Asclepius the knowledge of the art of medicine.
In Ancient Greece, around 300 BC the sect of Asclepius was common and temples dedicated to him were called Asclepieia. Snakes were used in the healing rituals and non-poisonous snakes were allowed to crawl around the temples. In the beginning the Oath of Hippocrates opened with these words ‘I swear by Apollo the Physician and by Asclepius and by Hygieia and Panacea and by all the gods …”
The Caduceus
The caduceus is typically depicted as a herald’s wand with a pair of entwined snakes and often has wings. Originally the staff was carried by Iris who was the messenger of Hera. Only in later myths was it carried by Hermes. It could be the basis for the astrological representation for Mercury, who was the Roman equivalent of the Greek god Hermes. It is often used as a representation for medicine particularly in the United States. Why is there confusion between the Rod of Asclepius, a suitable symbol for medicine and the caduceus which is unsuitable, associated as it is with Hermes, supporter of thieves and tricksters and conductor of the dead to the underworld?
The Use of the Caduceus by Medical Personnel
It seems that it was used by mistake as an alternative to the Rod of Asclepius in the nineteenth century. It was first used as a medical badge in the 1850’s in the US on uniforms of army hospital workers and was worn by medical officers from approximately 1902. The Surgeon General was aware of the blunder a few years after this but did not change it. The Caduceus was used by the Navy Hospital Corps and the Army Medical Dept following the 1st World War. While the AMA used the caduceus for a time, it was replaced by the correct emblem for medicine, the Rod of Asclepius, in 1912.
The Use of the Caduceus in Jewelry Today
Nowadays caduceus jewelry is fashionable, specially among nurses. Caduceus charms for bracelets are especially popular and can be purchased in gold, silver or diamond encrusted. A medical caduceus is an admired souvenir for graduating students whether physicians, nurses or veterinary students.
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