Caduceus
Dublin Core
Title
Caduceus
Subject
Caduceus
Description
The caduceus is a staff held by Hermes, the Greek messenger of the gods, or his equivalent in Roman mythology, Mercury. It has a shape of a staff entwined by two snakes with a pair of wings on the top. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, it originally had the form of a staff decorated with garlands or ribbons instead of snakes (Britannica 2018). The word "caduceus" derives from Greek meaning herald's wand or badge of office.
As it associates with Hermes and Mercury, it is recognized as a symbol of commerce, negotiation, or printing (Wikipedia 2022).
In modern times, it usually appears as a symbol of medicine. However, it is believed to be mistaken for the rod of Asclepius – the correct symbol for medicine with one snake entwined with a staff.
References:
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. 2018. "caduceus." Encyclopedia Britannica. Last modified February 9, 2018 (17 April 2022).
Wikipedia. 2022. "Caduceus." Last modified January 22, 2022 (17 April 2022).
As it associates with Hermes and Mercury, it is recognized as a symbol of commerce, negotiation, or printing (Wikipedia 2022).
In modern times, it usually appears as a symbol of medicine. However, it is believed to be mistaken for the rod of Asclepius – the correct symbol for medicine with one snake entwined with a staff.
References:
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. 2018. "caduceus." Encyclopedia Britannica. Last modified February 9, 2018 (17 April 2022).
Wikipedia. 2022. "Caduceus." Last modified January 22, 2022 (17 April 2022).
Creator
Le Nguyen Diem Ha
Citation
Le Nguyen Diem Ha, “Caduceus,” Augustus in Saigon!?, accessed May 19, 2024, https://augustusinsaigon.uni-trier.de/items/show/89.