This Asclepius wand,
often confused with the Caduceus wand of Hermes, is the true symbol of
the medical profession. It dates to antiquity, and was a symbol of the
Greek God of healing, Aesculapius. An explanation often given on the
origin of the emblem is that the serpent-twined staff originated with an
early form advertisement for parasite removal, but this is unlikely, as
the snake was the symbol of a number of deities associated with
healing. The
symbol of a serpent entwined staff also appears in the biblical book of
Exodus, wherein Moses is instructed to erect a brass pole with a
serpent; whoever looked upon it was healed.
Asclepius with his wand
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