History of The Caduceus and It’s Use in Jewelry
Caduceus charms are a popular gift for graduating veterinary students, nurses and physicians but are you aware of how this emblem became so popular with medical workers? The Rod of Asclepius is a more fitting emblem for medicine and medical organisations, so why is the caduceus used although, unlike the Rod of Asclepius, it has no medical meaning? In actual fact, quite the contrary as the symbol is linked with Hermes, god of the market place and travel and of the craftiness of liars, and who is normally linked to waywardness and deception. He was also the escort of the dead to the underworld, so the use of his sign for medicine is especially unsuitable.
The Rod of Asclepius
The more appropriate emblem is the Rod of Asclepius which is a walking stick entwined by a snake. Asclepius is a god of medicine in the Greek mythology and he had six daughters, Hygieia, Aglea, Aceso, Laso, Meditrina, and Panacea who epitomize healing, medicine and cleanliness. Panacea means literally 'all healing' and is a familiar 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 sect of Asclepius was widespread and temples for healing were called Asclepieia. Serpents were used in the rituals for healing and non venomous serpents crawled freely about the temples. In the beginning the Oath of Hippocrates began 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 commonly shown as a herald's wand with 2 entwined snakes and very often has wings. Originally the rod was borne by Iris who was the herald of Hera. It was only in later myths that it was carried by Hermes. It may be the basis for the astrological character for Mercury, who was the Roman equivalent of the Greek god Hermes. It's often used as a symbol for medicine especially in North America. Why is there a mix-up between the Rod of Asclepius, a suitable logo for medicine and the caduceus which is inappropriate, associated as it is with Hermes, patron of thieves and tricksters and escort of souls to the underworld?
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 19th century. It was first used as a medical image around 1856 in the United States on the uniforms of army hospital workers and was worn by medical officers from about 1902. The Surgeon General saw the error a few years after this but did not replace it. This symbol was used by the the Army Medical Dept and the Navy Hospital Corps following the first World War. Though the AMA used it for a short time, it was replaced by the proper representation for medicine, the Rod of Asclepius, in 1912.
How Caduceus Jewelry is Used Today
Currently caduceus charm jewelry is trendy, especially among nurses. Caduceus charms for bracelets are especially fashionable and can be bought in silver, gold or crusted with diamonds. A medical caduceus is an admired gift for graduating students whether physicians, nurses or veterinary students.
Related posts
Tags: Ancient Greece, Caduceus, caduceus jewelry, caduceus symbol, Chiron, Coronis, God Hermes, Greek God, Greek Mythology, Hera, Hermes God, Infidelity, Jewelry Charms, medical caduceus, medical caduceus symbol, Medical Organisations, Medical Workers, Meditrina, nurses caduceus, Panacea, Rod Of Asclepius, Roman Equivalent, Venomous Serpents, Veterinary Students, Walking Stick
