Where Does the Health Medical Symbol Come From?
That medical symbol pisses me off every time I see it, and here’s why. So people look at and they think, That must mean some kind of, like, symbol of medicine or healthcare or something. That rod with the two snakes going around it and the wings at the top, right? Rod!
Rod of Asclepius Symbol
What they’re thinking of is the Rod of Asclepius, which is a single snake going around a rod. No wings, no other snake. That was the staff that was carried by Asclepius, who’s the Greek god of health and healing.
Hermes Caduceus Symbol
That thing, the staff with the two snakes going around it and the wings at the top, that is a caduceus. A caduceus was carried by Hermes, who’s the Greek god of commerce, lying and deceit.
Corrupt Healthcare System
It’s actually the medical symbol that’s been adopted by insurance companies and many other for-profit organizations within the dysfunctional American healthcare system. So actually, it’s a pretty appropriate symbol for those things, if you ask me. So remember, one snake going around, you can trust them. That’s good. Two snakes going around, bad. Don’t trust them.
