Why is the snake a symbol of medicine?

The image of a snake wrapped around a staff has long been considered a symbol of medicine. This symbol can be easily seen on pharmaceutical packaging or in hospitals. Snakes are dangerous animals, so this animal may not seem suitable for medicine to choose as a symbol, but behind it is a historical story.

 The symbol of two snakes entwined with a winged staff is commonly known as the Caduceus.

There are actually 2 versions of this symbol. The symbol of two snakes entwined with a winged staff is commonly known as the Caduceus. This staff is actually the staff of the god Hermes on Mount Olympus. In Greek mythology, Hermes was the messenger between the gods and humans (which explains the image of the wings) and the guide to the kingdom of the dead (which explains the image of the scepter). In addition, he was a patron of tourists, which made his connection with medicine relevant because in ancient times, physicians had to walk long distances to see their patients.

According to one of the legends, the winged staff was given to Hermes by Apollo. In another version, he received the staff from Zeus, king of the gods. Originally, the staff was wrapped with two snow-white ribbons. Only later did snakes appear instead. Legend has it that once seeing two snakes biting each other, the god Hermes used a staff to separate them. Right after that, they wound around the staff, refusing to let go, and so we have the Caduceus symbol we have now.

The scepter has no wings and only a snake wrapped around it.

Another version of this symbol is the scepter without wings and only a snake wrapped around it. The staff belonged to the god of medicine Asclepius, son of Apollo and princess Coronis. According to mythology, he not only possessed a talent for healing but also knew how to revive the dead.

According to one version, Zeus killed Asclepius with a lightning strike, claiming that he disrupted the natural order of the world by resurrecting the dead. While another version says that Asclepius was punished by Zeus for taking money from the people he revived. Then, Zeus took him to heaven as the constellation Ophiuchus (Ophiuchus).

The Greeks considered snakes sacred and used them in healing rituals to honor Asclepius. Snake venom is used medicinally, and the shedding of its skin is seen as a symbol of rebirth and renewal.