The Rod and the Serpent: History’s Ultimate Healing Symbol

Abstract

The snake has served as a medical emblem for more than 2400 years, since its association with the ancient Greek god of medicine and healing, Asclepius, in the 4th century BC. Its symbolic background can be traced further back to the worship of gods of earth's blossom in ancient Egypt and earth-related deities of the archaic period of Greek antiquity. It is featured entwined around a staff of knowledge and wisdom in most anaglyphs depicting Asclepius. The snake was impressed in the Old and the New Testament as well as in the Christian tradition as a symbol of sin, rejuvenation, death, resurrection, asthenia, and therapy. It is postulated that the double-snake motif was reintroduced by Renaissance philosophers as a medical emblem due to the symbolic connections of Hermes with deliverance and redemption. However, its use during the last two centuries seems to lack substantial historical background. The historical, mythological, and traditional retrospection of the snake's symbolism validates its appropriateness in the health-care field.

Medical Symbols in Practice: Myths vs Reality

“…In contrast the Caduceus became a popular medical symbol only after its adoption by the U.S. Army Medical corps at the beginning of the 20 th century, a misunderstanding of ancient mythology and iconography has led to the inappropriate popularisation of the modern caduceus as a medical symbol [2]. The rod of Asclepius has served as a medical emblem since the past 2400 years, the use of the staff of Hermes as a medical symbol is however recent and seems to lack substantial historical background [14]. In our study knowledge -5]: Depicts the rod of asclepius with a single serpent entwining a rod [11] and awareness of the rod of Asclepius and its rightful claim as an emblem of medicine was poor, only 6% of the total surveyed had prior knowledge about the 'correct' symbol.…”

Redefining Health: The Evolution of Health Ideas from Antiquity to the Era of Value-Based Care

“…Some would go directly to the temple of the healing god Asclepius, where prayers and sacrifices were performed in exchange for dream cures that came while patients slept [7]. The rod of Asclepius, an international symbol of medicine, is a reminder of humanity’s ancient belief that health was endowed by deities of medicine and healing [8] (Figure 1). …”

Comprehensive snake venomics of the Okinawa Habu pit viper, Protobothrops flavoviridis, by complementary mass spectrometry-guided approaches

“…Especially, in the mythology, from South America through ancient Egypt to the Asian world, snakes and snake-like creatures represent both, good and evil [1][2][3][4]. Most of them appear as symbols of wisdom and protection, whereby also healing aspects have often been attributed [4].…”

“…Most of them appear as symbols of wisdom and protection, whereby also healing aspects have often been attributed [4]. Even today, the Aesculapius, the snake-wrapped rod of the Hellenic god Asclepius, and the winged Caduceus of Hermes symbolize medical, as well as veterinarian's and pharmacist's professions [1]. On the other hand, based on encounters with humans, snakes are also known and feared for their bites and the possible consequences.…”