Caduceus charms are a popular gift for graduating veterinary students, nurses and physicians but do you know how this emblem came to be used by medical workers? The Rod of Asclepius is a more appropriate representation for medical personnel and organisations, so why is the caduceus used though, unlike the Rod, it does not have any medical meaning? In fact, just the opposite as the emblem is connected with Hermes, god of the market place and travel and of the cunning of liars, and who is usually associated with mischief and deception. He was also the escort of the dead to the afterlife, so the use of his sign for medicine is especially unsuitable.
The Rod of Asclepius
The more correct emblem is the Rod of Asclepius which is a staff entwined by a serpent. Asclepius is the god of medicine in Greek myths and his daughters were Aceso, Aglea, Meditrina, Laso, Hygieia and Panacea who symbolize healing, medicine and cleanliness. Panacea means literally ‘all healing’ and is a familiar word in present day English. Asclepius was the son of Apollo and Coronis and was brought up by centaur called Chiron, after his mother was killed for betrayal. Chiron was the one who taught Asclepius medicine.
In Ancient Greece, around 300 BC the sect of Asclepius was prevalent and temples for healing were called Asclepieia. Snakes were frequently used in the rituals for healing and non-poisonous snakes freely crawled in the temples. In the beginning the Oath of Hippocrates began with the 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 depicted as a messenger’s staff with two entwined serpents and usually has wings. In the beginning the rod was borne by Iris who was the herald of Hera. Only in later myths was it held by Hermes. It may possibly be the basis for the astrological representation for Mercury, who was the Roman equivalent of the Greek 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, a fitting sign for medicine and the caduceus which is inappropriate, linked as it is with Hermes, patron of tricksters and thieves and guide of the departed to the underworld?
History of The Use of the Caduceus by Medical Personnel
It appears that it was used incorrectly as a substitute for the Rod of Asclepius in the nineteenth century. It was first used as a medical image in the 1850′s in the US on the uniforms of military hospital workers and was worn by medical officers from approximately 1902. The Surgeon General was aware of the mistake a few years after this but didn’t change it. This symbol was used by the Navy Hospital Corps and the Army Medical Department after the 1st World War. While the AMA used the caduceus for some time, it was exchanged for the correct emblem for medicine, the Rod of Asclepius, in 1912.
How Caduceus Jewelry is Used Today
These days caduceus charm jewelry is fashionable, especially with nurses. Caduceus charms for bracelets are especially admired and can be bought in gold, silver or diamond encrusted. A medical caduceus is a well-liked gift for graduating students whether physicians, nurses or veterinary students.
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- What To Do If You Can’t Afford Your Prescription medication
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