Caduceus

The caduceus (☤) is an ancient symbol that looks like a short staff with two serpents wrapped around it, sometimes topped with wings. It comes from Greek mythology, where it was carried by Hermes, the messenger of the gods. Hermes used the caduceus to make peace, guide travelers, and deliver messages. In Roman stories, the same symbol was carried by Mercury, Hermes’s counterpart.

The caduceus has a long history that might stretch back to ancient Mesopotamia, where a similar staff was linked to the god Ningishzida. Over time, the symbol became tied to ideas like trade, communication, and balance. Because of its connection to Mercury, the caduceus was also used to represent the planet Mercury in astrology, alchemy, and astronomy.

Today, the caduceus is often used to stand for commerce, negotiation, and even printing. Though the Rod of Asclepius — a staff with only one snake — is the more traditional sign for medicine, some healthcare groups use the caduceus. However, many medical professionals prefer the Rod of Asclepius because the caduceus is mainly linked to trade and communication rather than healing.

Classical antiquity

The Caduceus in classical imagery

• Fresco from Pompeii of the punishment of Ixion: in the center is Mercury holding the caduceus

Iris with the caduceus in detail from an Attic [red-figure](/wiki/Red-figure) [pelike](/wiki/Pelike), middle of fifth century BC ([Agrigento](/wiki/Agrigento), Sicily)

Coin from [Sardis](/wiki/Sardis) (Turkey) with caduceus (c. 140-144 CE)

Mythology

The Homeric Hymn to Hermes tells how Hermes received the caduceus from his brother Apollo as a symbol of friendship. The staff’s connection to serpents links Hermes to Asclepius, who was also associated with serpents.

One story says that the god Hermes found two serpents fighting and used his staff to stop them, turning the staff into a symbol of peace.

Iconography

Ancient pictures of the caduceus sometimes showed the two snakes at the top of the staff, forming a circle. This design helped create the symbol for the planet Mercury used in Greek astrology.

Origin and comparative mythology

Further information: Serpent worship

The caduceus is an ancient symbol that has roots in many cultures. Originally, the term "kerukeion" simply meant any herald's staff. Over time, it became linked especially to Hermes, a messenger god in Greek mythology, who carried a staff with two snakes wrapped around it.

Similar symbols to the caduceus have been found in the Ancient Near East, suggesting the idea may have come from there. In places like Mesopotamia, early seals from thousands of years ago show designs that look like the caduceus. In Egypt, snake symbols also appear in ancient art. Later, the caduceus appeared on coins in ancient India, where it was used by King Ashoka, a important Buddhist ruler.

Early modern use

During the early modern period, the caduceus became a symbol of rhetoric because it was linked to Mercury's skill in speaking well. Artists used this symbol in works about communication and speaking clearly. Some famous pieces include an engraving by Hendrik Goltzius and paintings like La Retorique and Allegory of Rhetoric.

Modern use

The caduceus has been used in many different ways beyond its origins in ancient stories. Early printers, like Erhard Ratdolt and Johann Froben, used it as a special mark for their work, often with other symbols like a cornucopia or Pegasus. It also appeared on the Columbian press, a famous printing press from the 1800s.

Today, the caduceus is linked to business and trade. It can be found in dictionaries and on the emblems of customs agencies around the world, such as in Bulgaria, Slovakia, Belarus, and China. Some universities, like the Kyiv National University of Trade and Economics in Ukraine, also use it in their symbols.

Sometimes, the caduceus is mistaken for a symbol of medicine. In the United States, it is often used in place of the Rod of Asclepius, which has just one snake. This mix-up started when the U.S. Army Medical Corps chose the caduceus as their symbol in 1902. While most professional healthcare groups use the Rod of Asclepius, many commercial healthcare companies use the caduceus because it looks more appealing.

Computer coding

The caduceus symbol can be found in Unicode at U+2624 ☤ CADUCEUS. There is also a similar symbol at U+269A ⚚ STAFF OF HERMES, an alchemical symbol at U+1F750 🝐 ALCHEMICAL SYMBOL FOR CADUCEUS, and an astrological symbol at U+2BDA ⯚ HYGIEA. These symbols might not appear in all fonts, particularly older ones. For more details on how to use the symbol, see Unicode input.

Coats of arms and flags

The caduceus symbol appears on many coats of arms and flags. Examples include the coat of arms of Ecuador, the caduceus on the coat of arms of Jyväskylä, Finland, the coat of arms of Tampere, Finland, and the coat of arms of Lassay-les-Châteaux, France. It is also found on the coat of arms of Saint-Pantaléon, France, the coat of arms of Gmina Nur, Poland, the emblem of the Federal Customs Service of Russia, and the coat of arms of Irbit, Russia. Additional examples include the coat of arms of Bengtsfors Municipality, Sweden, Balta, Ukraine, Berdychiv, Ukraine, and Kharkiv, Ukraine. The caduceus also appears on the emblem of the Volapük language, the customs flag of Belarus, the customs flag of China, the flag of the City of Brisbane, Australia, and the flag of Vancouver Island, Canada.