Caduceus charms are a fashionable gift for graduating veterinary students, nurses and physicians but are you aware of how this symbol became so popular with medical workers? The Rod of Asclepius is a more fitting symbol for medical personnel and organisations, so why is the caduceus used even though, unlike the Rod of Asclepius, it does not have any medical significance? In reality, just the opposite as the symbol is connected with Hermes, god of commerce and boundaries and of the slyness of liars, and who is generally associated with misbehavior and deception. He was also the guide of souls to the afterlife, so the use of his emblem for medicine is especially inappropriate.
The Rod of Asclepius
A more appropriate symbol is the Rod of Asclepius which is a rod entwined by a serpent. Asclepius was the god of medicine in Greek myths and his daughters were Aceso, Aglea, Hygieia, Meditrina, Laso and Panacea who symbolize healing, medicine and cleanliness. Panacea means literally ‘all healing’ and is a well-known word in present day English. Asclepius was the son of Coronis and Apollo and was raised by centaur called Chiron, when his mother was killed for infidelity. It was Chiron who taught Asclepius medicine.
Around 300 BC, in Ancient Greece the cult of Asclepius was widespread and temples dedicated to him were called Asclepieia. Serpents were often used in the rituals for healing and non-poisonous serpents crawled freely in the temples. In the beginning the Oath of Hippocrates started 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 usually seen as a herald’s staff with a pair of entwined snakes and usually a pair of wings. At first the staff was held by Iris who was the herald of Hera. It was only in later myths that it was carried by Hermes. It may be the source of the astrological image for Mercury, who was the Roman counterpart of the Greek god Hermes. It is frequently used as a representation for medicine especially in the United States. Why is there a mix-up between the Rod of Asclepius, an appropriate symbol for medicine and the caduceus which is unsuitable, associated as it is with Hermes, supporter of tricksters and thieves and escort of the dead to the afterlife?
History of The Use of the Caduceus by Medical Personnel
It seems that it was used misguidedly as an alternative to the Rod of Asclepius in the nineteenth century. It was initially used as a medicine emblem around 1856 in the United States on uniforms of military hospital staff and was worn by medical officers from approximately 1902. The Surgeon General was aware of the slip-up a few years later but didn’t change it. This symbol was used by the the Army Medical Dept and the Navy Hospital Corps after the first World War. Although the AMA used the caduceus for a short time, it was replaced by the correct emblem for medicine, the Rod of Asclepius, in 1912.
The Use of the Caduceus in Jewelry Today
These days caduceus charm jewelry is popular, especially with nurses. Caduceus charms for bracelets are especially admired and can be purchased in gold, silver or diamond encrusted. A medical caduceus is an admired gift for graduating students whether nurses, physicians or veterinary students.
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