You searched for: “caduceus
caduceus
1. A staff with two oppositely twined serpents and surmounted by two wings; emblem of the U.S. Army Medical Corps. For veterinary medicine the double serpent was changed in 1972 to its present form with a single serpent.
2. An insignia of a caduceus meant, mistakenly, to symbolize a physician.

The caduceus served as the symbol of Hermes and Mercury, the Greek and Roman messenger gods. The caduceus was the sign of a herald and hence a logical symbol for the messenger; however, because of a misconception, the caduceus became the insignia of the US Army Medical Corps.

Caduceus staff.

The staff of Aesculapius is a rod, or staff, with only one serpent encircling it and without wings; symbol of medicine and emblem of the American Medical Association, Royal Army Medical Corps (Britain), Royal Canadian Medical Corps and just about all medical doctors and clinics, at least, in Europe.

Aesculapias staff and snake

No wings were necessary since the essence of medicine is not speed. The single serpent that could shed its skin and emerge in full vigor represents the renewal of youth and health; therefore, medicine.

The Latin word caduceus came from the Greek karykeion," from karyx or keryx meaning "herald."

The caduceus with its pair of snakes coiled about each other bears some resemblance to the structure of DNA, the double helix, which was discovered in 1953.

Pointing to a page about Aesculepius and medical symbols. Information about Aesculepius and medical symbols, part 1.

This entry is located in the following unit: caduceus + (page 1)
A unit related to: “caduceus
(Latin: the wand of a herald, herald's staff; specifically, the wand of Hermes [Greek] and Mercury [Latin])
Word Entries at Get Words: “caduceus
caduceus
Aesculapias staff representing a symbol for the medical profession. In classical mythology, a winged staff entwined with two serpents, the symbol of Hermes or Mercury which is mistakenly used by some to be associated with the Greek god of healing, Asclepius or Aesculapias.

The staff of Aesculapius, consisting of a staff with a single snake entwined around it, is said to be the correct symbol for the medical profession.

For more detailed information, see Aesculapias; and then use your "return" button or arrow on your computer monitor to return to this page.