Snake and staff - the medical symbols

The Symbol of Medicine – The Legacy Behind the Snake, Staff, and Cross

When an ambulance rushes past you, a few things might stand out: the urgency of its mission, the sirens blaring, and the symbols adorning it. In the U.S., you'll often see a six-pointed blue star with a white staff and snake at its center. This emblem is known as the Rod of Asclepius, an ancient symbol of medicine that has been embraced by medical organizations around the world. Alongside this, another symbol often associated with medical care is the Red Cross—or in some regions, the Red Crescent—both powerful icons representing humanitarian aid.

The origins of the Rod of Asclepius are deeply rooted in Greek mythology. Asclepius, the god of medicine, was the son of Apollo, the god of light, music, and prophecy. His grandfather was Zeus, the king of the gods. Asclepius was trained in the healing arts by his father and the wise centaur Chiron, becoming a master of medicine. According to legend, Asclepius befriended a snake, which in turn revealed to him the secrets of healing and resurrection by licking his ears clean. This relationship is symbolized by the snake coiled around his staff, representing his divine ability to heal and bring the dead back to life.

However, Asclepius’s power did not go unnoticed. Hades, the god of the underworld, feared that Asclepius’s ability to resurrect the dead would disrupt the natural order and diminish his domain. He appealed to Zeus, who, worried that humans might learn the secrets of resurrection, struck Asclepius down with a thunderbolt. Despite his death, Asclepius was immortalized as a constellation, and his symbol—engraved on temples dedicated to him—endured as a powerful emblem of healing.

The snake, often associated with rebirth due to its ability to shed its skin, became a fitting symbol for medicine, representing renewal and the dual nature of medical treatment—capable of both healing and harm. Asclepius’s temples, which doubled as early centers of medical treatment, spread his symbol far and wide. The influence of Asclepius even reached Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, who is believed to have been associated with these healing sanctuaries.

Today, the Rod of Asclepius is recognized globally, appearing in the logos of over 100 medical organizations, including the World Health Organization. It is also prominently displayed on the six-pointed Star of Life, seen on ambulances around the world. Each point of the star represents a crucial step in emergency medical care, from initial detection to the transfer of the patient to a hospital for definitive care.

However, the Rod of Asclepius is not the only symbol associated with medical care. The Red Cross, established in 1863 by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), is perhaps the most widely recognized symbol of medical aid and humanitarian relief. The Red Cross was designed to provide neutral and impartial assistance during times of war, ensuring that medical personnel and facilities could operate without interference. Its counterpart, the Red Crescent, was introduced in 1876 to accommodate countries in the Islamic world where the cross might not be as culturally acceptable. Both symbols are used globally to signify medical care, protection, and humanitarian aid, and they are legally protected under international law.

Another symbol often confused with the Rod of Asclepius is the caduceus, featuring two snakes intertwined around a winged staff. This emblem was carried by Hermes, the messenger of the gods, and symbolizes commerce rather than medicine. The confusion began in 1902 when a U.S. Army Medical Corps officer mistakenly adopted the caduceus as a medical insignia, a mistake that has persisted in some organizations.

So, whether you see the Rod of Asclepius, the Red Cross, or the Red Crescent, you’re witnessing symbols with deep historical roots, representing humanity’s enduring commitment to health, healing, and humanitarian aid across cultures and borders. These emblems, each in their way, continue to be beacons of hope and care in a world that often needs both.

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Why does the medical symbol have a snake and a staff on it? It is the Rod of Asclepius, an ancient symbol of medicine.

If you have the misfortune to require an ambulance in the US, you will notice that it a) costs an awful lot, and b) has a six pointed blue star with a white staff and snake in the middle of it as an emblem. That six pointed star has meaning and the staff and snake in the middle are the Rod of Asclepius. Asclepius was the Greek god of medicine, which should explain how his staff ended up on the medical symbol that is used in many different countries.

In the stories of the Greek gods, Asclepius is the son of Apollo and Coronis. Apollo was the god of the Sun, light, music, and many other things. He was also the son of Zeus, the king of the gods, which made Asclepius the grandson of Zeus.  Asclepius was taught a lot about healing and medicine by his father Apollo and by a wise centaur called Chiron. At some point, Asclepius was kind to a snake and the snake licked his ears clean and taught him secret knowledge about healing and resurrection. This is why his staff has a snake curling up it. Asclepius is said to have used his knowledge to heal people and to raise people from the dead. This angered Hades, the god of the underworld, who appealed to Zeus. Zeus was afraid that Asclepius would teach humans the art of resurrection, so he killed him and immortalized him as a star.

The rod and the snake became a symbol of Asclepius and they were engraved on his temples. There are several theories as to why his symbol is a snake and a staff. It could be because in the legend the snake taught him how to save people. It could be because the snake shedding its skin is a symbol of rebirth and renewal. It could be because snake venom is dangerous, which shows both sides of the healer: they sometimes have to use dangerous drugs to help people. Because he was the god of medicine and healing, people started to go to his temples to be healed. The association between his symbol and that of medicine was very simple to make. It is thought that Hippocrates (the father of medicine and the person the Hippocratic oath is named after) began his career in one of Asclepius’s temples. ⚕The cult of Asclepius began to spread and the symbol spread with it. Sanctuaries that used his name and the symbol appeared in Greece and then other countries as well.

The symbol of Asclepius’s rod and snake was taken up around the world and it is used by over 100 organizations and countries. It is displayed in different forms, but they always have the rod and the snake. The world health organization has it prominently displayed in front of the UN’s globe symbol. It is also displayed on the Star of Life, which is on ambulances in many countries around the world. The star has six points and each point stands for a different part of the care of patients:

1. Detection: The first rescuers on the scene, usually untrained civilians or those involved in the incident, observe the scene, understand the problem, identify the dangers to themselves and the others, and take appropriate measures to ensure their safety on the scene (environmental, electricity, chemicals, radiation, etc.).

2. Reporting: The call for professional help is made and dispatch is connected with the victims, providing emergency medical dispatch.

3. Response: The first rescuers provide first aid and immediate care to the extent of their capabilities.

4. On scene care: The EMS personnel arrive and provide immediate care to the extent of their capabilities on-scene.

5. Care in transit: The EMS personnel proceed to transfer the patient to a hospital via an ambulance or helicopter for specialized care. They provide medical care during the transportation.

6. Transfer to definitive care: Appropriate specialized care is provided at the hospital.

There is also another symbol that looks very similar to the rod of Asclepius, but it isn’t. It has two snakes on a rod and wings at the top. It is actually called the caduceus and was the staff carried by Hermes, the messenger of the gods. He is also known as the protector of thieves, merchants, and travellers. His staff and snakes is a symbol of commerce, but it is sometimes used by medical institutions because of a mistake in 1902. When the United States Army Medical Corps was creating its insignia, a captain in the service insisted the the caduceus was the Rod of Asclepius. Nobody disagreed with him and the wrong symbol was put on the uniforms. Many other organizations copied it, or made the mistake on their own. If you see a staff with two snakes and wings, it is the symbol of commerce. If you see a staff with one snake, it is the symbol of medicine and care.