Caduceus

The Caduceus is a globally recognised symbol of medical help and health care. It features two snakes wrapped around a winged staff. It is first thought the symbol came into use for this purpose in 1902 by the American Medical Corps when they used it as a symbol to recognize physicians in the military.


"This usage is erroneous, popularised largely as a result of the adoption of the caduceus as its insignia by the US Army medical corps in 1902 at the insistence of a single officer (though there are conflicting claims as to whether this was Capt. Frederick P. Reynolds or Col. John R. van Hoff)" - Wikipedia, 2012

 However the rod of Caduceus dates back to the times of the Greeks. In Greek mythology, the rod belonged to the protector of commerce and the Gods messenger Hermes.


"His attributes included the herald's wand orkerykeion (Latin caduceus), winged boots, and sometimes a winged travellers cap and chlamys cloak." - theoi.com, 2000


Hermes however was also responsible for seeing the dead souls along to the afterlife, meaning the rod is a symbol of death.


"Hermes was also credited with having some less than noble attributes as well and was looked to as the patron god of thieves and liars as well. Hermes must have been viewed as a very energetic and busy god by the ancient Greeks because his work didn't end when a person died as it was another task of Hermes to escort the souls of the dead down to the underworld to be handed over to Hades." - http://am9905d.hubpages.com, 2012


However, it is considered that Hermes rod evolved on from the rod of Asclepius.

Asclepius was the Greek God for medicine and health. It is thought the connection was made due to Hermes being tied to the art of alchemy in the 17th century, due to his links in Greek mythology to magic. The rod of Asclepius is a single snake wrapped around a branch. In this context, the branch represents strength, perhaps due to it coming from a tree which is vast and strong. The snake resembles rebirth, which is due to it's ability to shed it's own skin. Many see it as a symbol of leaving behind a previous self or life and being reborn. Also, the image of the snake eating it's own tail is a symbol of eternity.


Both the rod of Asclepius and Caduceus are symbols used in the modern world as signs of medical care. 

The star of life which is emblazoned on the ambulances in the American Ambulance service have the rod of Asclepius within a six point star.

It is strange to see how the rod has flipped over time from death to the preservation and saving of life.