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The Caduceus – Myth and Symbolism

The Caduceus - Myth and Symbolism

The Caduceus is a powerful and iconic symbol, recognized worldwide for its association with medicine and healing. With its intertwined serpents and wings atop a staff, the Caduceus has a rich history dating back to ancient civilizations, particularly in the Mediterranean region.

However, the symbolism and interpretation of the Caduceus are multifaceted, often leading to misconceptions. This essay delves into the history and diverse interpretations of the Caduceus, exploring its significance in the domains of health, commerce, symbolism and mythology.

The Caduceus finds its roots in ancient Greece, where it was associated with the god Hermes, known as Mercury in Roman mythology. Hermes was a deity of multifaceted talents, embodying attributes of communication, commerce, and healing. The Caduceus was his divine symbol, a staff entwined with two serpents and adorned with wings.

In Greek mythology, the staff symbolized Hermes’ role as a messenger between the divine and mortal realms. The serpents, often interpreted as symbols of rejuvenation and transformation, signify the dual nature of life and death. The wings on the staff symbolize swiftness, perhaps representing the rapidity with which messages could travel between realms. Hermes’ Caduceus was also associated with diplomacy, making it an emblem of peaceful resolution and compromise.

The Latin Caduceus, comes from Greek kērū́keion, meaning “herald’s wand, or staff”, itself derived from kêrux, meaning “messenger, herald, envoy”.

According to the legend, Hermes or Mercury, wanted to stop a fight between two snakes, and so he threw his rod at them. Originally, the Caduceus was represented as an olive branch with garlands or ribbons, but it was later interpreted as a rod with two snakes and a pair of wings as a representation of Hermes’ speed.

Both Hermes and Mercury are identified as messengers of Gods.

Mercury is considered the god of messengers, merchants and travelers. It is also the patron and protector of thieves and outlaws. As such, the Caduceus symbol is ALSO linked to these negative characters.

Neither god has anything to do with medicine, so their figure is not a desirable protector of physicians, despite its ancient and consistent positive associations with eloquence, negotiation, alchemy, and wisdom.

Early use in a possible medical context

Before the ancient Romans and Greeks, older representations from Syria and India of sticks and animals looking like serpents or worms are interpreted by some as a direct representation of traditional treatment of dracunculiasis, the Guinea worm disease.

Dracunculus medinensis (“little dragon from Medina”) was described in Egypt as early as the 15th century BCE and possibly was the “fiery serpent” afflicting the Israelites described in the Bible. Because of their impatience with eating manna in the desert, they were punished by God with the bite of poisonous snakes.

In the Bible, the serpent possessed a double valence, an ambiguous aspect between the symbolic values of life and death, fruitfulness and temptation.

Moses had a staff with a twisted bronze serpent endowed with such powers that it could restore life to the dying. It worked as a mediator that saved from evil and danger, restoring life to those about to lose it.

While there is ample historical evidence of the use of the Caduceus to represent Hermes or Mercury (and by extension commerce and negotiation), early evidence of any symbolic association between the Caduceus and medicine, or medical practice, is scarce and ambiguous.

This concept is likely linked to the alchemical “universal solvent”, Azoth, the symbol of which was the Caduceus.

Early association of the Caduceus with medicine might have derived from the association of Hermes Trismegistus (“Thrice-Great Hermes”) with early chemistry and medicine, as aspects of alchemy as an esoteric practice.

The same staff was used by other heralds like Iris, the messenger of Hera. It was entwined by two serpents, sometimes surmounted by wings. In Roman iconography, it was depicted being carried in the left hand of Mercury, the messenger of the Gods.

The Caduceus became a symbol of alchemy and pharmacy in medieval Europe.

Its first appearance as a medical symbol can be traced back to 1st to 4th century Common Era in oculists’ stamps that were found mostly in Celtic areas, such as Gaul, Germany and Britain. It had an engraving of the name of the physician, the name of the special medicine or medical formula, and the disease for which the medicine was to be used.

Medieval alchemy used the Caduceus to represent preparations containing quicksilver, later known as mercury.

Quicksilver, named mercurius philosophorum was believed to be the basis of all substances, and this element has been represented by the Caduceus for many centuries. Medieval alchemists found parallels in the course of the soul through the unknown on its way to enlightenment, and the path from unknown illnesses back to health and life.

In the Middle Ages the velvet-covered, flowered staff that was carried by heralds and kings of arms, was called a Caduceus. The Caduceus’ general meaning of peace is reinforced by the symbolism of its individual elements: power for the staff, concord for the serpents, and solicitude for the wings.

In heraldry the Caduceus can symbolize peace, communal happiness, fame and eloquence. It was often assumed in the coat of arms by those who had entered into a truce or peace.

In Rome, the caduceator was one who negotiated peace arrangements under the diplomatic protection of the caduceus he carried.

The Caduceus is also a symbol of printing, by extension of the attributes of Mercury associated with writing and eloquence. Based on the medieval European use of the Caduceus to signify pharmacy, a Bavarian printer used it in his medical manuscripts from 1486 CE.

The personal physician to Henry the VIII, was the first physician to adopt it as his emblem.

The rod of Asclepius, in use since the 5th century CE, resurfaced in 1544 CE. A publication of the medical writings of Avicenna, a Persian physician, had it at the frontispiece.

The Caduceus also appears in a general medical context with Swiss medical printer Johann Frobenius (1460–1527), who depicted a staff entwined with serpents and surmounted by a dove, with a biblical epigraph in Greek, “Be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16).

In Great Britain, as late as 1854, the distinction between the rod of Asclepius and the Caduceus as symbols of two very different professions was apparently still quite clear.

Among the very old symbols still used in London at that time, which were based on associations between pagan gods and professions, we find Mercury, or his caduceus, indicating expedition and trade. Esculapius, his Serpent and staff, for professions of the healing arts. Beginning with the 16th century there is limited evidence of the use of the Caduceus in a medical context.

The name of the god Mercury cannot be disassociated from the word merx, which means merchandise. Such was the sentiment of the ancients. His Latin name was apparently derived from merx or mercator, a merchant.

The Homeric hymn to Hermes relates how his half-brother Apollo was enchanted by Hermes’s music from his lyre fashioned from a tortoise shell, which Hermes kindly gave to him. Apollo in return gave Hermes the Caduceus, a golden wand, “a splendid staff of riches and wealth”, as a gesture of friendship in a settlement over a dispute.

A scholar noted that the Hymn to Hermes concludes with “the negotiation which transforms a relation of incompatibility into a contracted alliance.”

The poem describes at some length Hermes’ capacity for manipulating the material world as well as the perceptions and emotions of its inhabitants.

The association with the serpent thus connects Hermes to Apollo, as later the serpent was associated with Asclepius, the “son of Apollo”.

In both stories, the rod plays an important role in settling the dispute between the two snakes in the myth, and between Hermes and Apollo in the hymn. The Caduceus thus became the sign of concord and peace; its ability to bring order and peace is one of its main features.

Hermes is, perhaps, above all else, the patron of commerce and of the fat purse: he was the special protector of traveling salesmen. As such, he was revered by merchants embarking on uncertain commercial ventures abroad. Hermes was“the primordial mediator,” who, perhaps, could always find clever ways of reaching the middle ground—a consensus—between opposing points of view because he was a schemer.

His wily ways and “luck-bringing genius” made him the patron of swindlers and thieves, and “a patron of good fortune, unexpected piece of luck, lot and dice.”

The intertwining serpents may thus symbolize both the double-sided nature of business transactions and the balance required in commerce. Furthermore, the wings on the Caduceus signify speed and agility in trade, emphasizing the importance of communication and quick exchange in economic activities.

The fact that Hermes is also the patron of thieves, swindlers and golden opportunity, establishes an inherent and intrinsic relationship between the market, double-dealing, and commercial success. Market is a word that derives from Hermes’ Roman equivalent Mercury.

The association of Apollo with the serpent is a continuation of the older Indo – European dragon-slayer motif.

The serpent may be an attribute of both Hermes and Asclepius AND a variant of the “pre-historic semi-chthonic serpent hero” known at Delphi as Python, who in classical mythology is slain by Apollo.

The Caduceus with two serpents also indicates the power to reconcile opposites, creating harmony between different elements, such as water, fire, earth and air. This is why it recurs frequently in alchemy, as an indication of the synthesis of sulfur and mercury, as well as in the symbolism of pharmacopoeia and physical healing.

A staff similar to the Caduceus was displayed by heralds and ambassadors as a symbol of their mediating function and as an emblem of their inviolability, and it also had a moral significance, as it represented honest conduct and at the same time a person’s physical health.

As mentioned before, the staff had ALSO been emblematic of Hermes Trismegistus, progenitor of the Egyptian art of magic, and represented the synthesis of universal knowledge: from religion, medicine, morality, philosophy, to science and mathematics.

In Egyptian iconography, the Djed pillar is depicted as containing a snake, in a frieze of the Dendera Temple Complex.

Thus, through its use in astrology, alchemy, and astronomy it has come to denote the planet Mercury and by extension its planetary metal. It is said that the wand would wake the sleeping and send the awake to sleep. If applied to the dying, their death was gentle; if applied to the dead, they returned to life.

In some ancient vase paintings, depictions of the Greek kerukeion are somewhat different from the commonly seen modern representations. These, feature the two snakes atop the staff (or rod), crossed to create a circle with the heads of the snakes resembling horns. This old graphic form, with an additional crossbar to the staff, seems to have provided the basis for the graphical Sign of Mercury (☿) used in Greek astrology from Late Antiquity.

Symbols similar to the classical Caduceus, sometimes appeared on Mesopotamian cylinder seals. Some accounts assert that the oldest imagery is found with the Sumerian god Ningishzida. His symbol, a staff with two snakes intertwined around it, dates back to 4000 to 3000 BCE.

From this perspective, the Caduceus was originally representative of Hermes himself, in his early form as the Underworld god, “messenger” of the “Earth Mother”, an “Oriental deity of Babylonian extraction”, represented in his earliest form as a snake god.

The Caduceus also appears as a symbol on some coins of the Maurya empire in India, in the 3rd or 2nd century BCE. Numismatic research suggests that it was the symbol of the Buddhist king Ashoka.

SYMBOLISM

The modern use of the Caduceus as a symbol of medicine became established in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th century, as a result of well-documented mistakes and misunderstandings of symbology and classical culture.

Critics say the correct symbol for medicine is the Rod of Asclepius, which has only one snake and no wings. It has represented medicine since 800 BCE and most authorities support its use as the symbol of medicine.

These symbols are often thought to have the following meanings:

Commerce and Trade

The Caduceus is inherently a symbol of commerce and trade, aligning perfectly with Hermes’ role as the patron of merchants and travelers. In this context, the intertwining serpents are often seen as a representation of duality, signifying both the buyer and the seller, the giver and the taker, or profit and loss. This duality underscores the essential balance required in economic transactions.

In a world where global commerce relies on fast information exchange, the Caduceus is a symbol of expeditious, borderless trade, mirroring the contemporary interconnectedness of the global economy.

Contemporary Usage

Today, the Caduceus is still employed in various fields. In medicine, it continues to be mistakenly used as a symbol of health and healing in certain contexts, though the Rod of Asclepius is a more accurate choice for this purpose. In the realm of commerce, financial institutions, banks, and other businesses, use the Caduceus to symbolize their commitment to efficient, swift, and secure transactions.

Esoteric symbolism of the Caduceus

The esoteric symbolism of the Caduceus, often associated with spiritual and metaphysical interpretations, offers a deeper and more mystical perspective on this ancient symbol. Let’s delve into its hidden meanings.

Kundalini and Spiritual Awakening

The intertwining serpents on the Caduceus are often seen as a representation of the Kundalini energy. It’s a powerful, latent spiritual force believed to reside at the base of the spine. The upward coiling of the serpents symbolizes the awakening of this energy, which rises through the chakras, leading to spiritual enlightenment and higher consciousness. The two serpents also represent the two channels on the left and the right side of the spine, Ida and Pingala, and the rod representing the Susumna.

Unity of Opposites

The Caduceus can be interpreted as a symbol of the unity of opposites or dualities, a common theme in esoteric and alchemical teachings. The two serpents, often seen as opposing forces or polarities, are brought together in harmony on the staff. This represents the balance and union of opposing forces within the self, a crucial step on the path to spiritual growth and self-realization.

Transmutation and Esoteric Healing

In alchemical and esoteric traditions, the serpent is often associated with transformation and healing. The Caduceus, with its serpents, can be seen as a symbol of the transformative journey of the soul, where inner healing and purification lead to metaphysical ascension and enlightenment.

Divine Communication

The Caduceus can represent the communication between the conscious and subconscious mind. Hermes was a divine messenger, bridging the gap between the earthly and the divine. The Caduceus can represent the potential for divine communication and revelation.

These esoteric interpretations of the Caduceus emphasize its significance in inner transformation, mystical evolution, and the quest for higher consciousness. While it’s widely recognized for its more conventional associations, it also carries a hidden layer of symbolism that aligns with the esoteric and metaphysical traditions of various cultures throughout history.

In astronomy, astrology, and alchemy, the Caduceus is believed to have the following symbolism:

In the 16th century, the study of alchemy included metals, chemistry, and medicine. The practitioners of the Hermetic arts and alchemists believed that the Caduceus symbolized the four elements: the wings for the air, the movement of serpents for the water, the snakes for the fire, and the rod for the earth.

It also shows the physical and spiritual connection between masculine and feminine forces, and also represents the concept of yin and yang.

According to Theosophy it may represent the following:

Metaphysically, the Caduceus represents the fall of primordial matter into gross terrestrial matter, the one Reality becoming Illusion.

Astronomically, the head and tail represent the points of the ecliptic where the planets and the sun and moon meet in close embrace.

Physiologically, it’s the symbol of the restoration of the equilibrium lost between Life, as a unit, and the currents of life performing various functions in the human body”.

Its metaphysical meaning is further elaborated in Hindu teachings, where the trunk of the ASVATTHA (the tree of Life and Being, the ROD of the Caduceus) grows from and descends at every Beginning (every new manvantara) from the two dark wings of the Swan (hansa) of Life.

The two Serpents, the ever-living and its illusion (Spirit and matter) whose two heads grow from the one head between the wings, descend along the trunk, interlaced in close embrace. The two tails join on Earth (the manifested Universe) into one, and this is the great illusion, or MAYA.

Difference between the Caduceus and the Rod of Asclepius

The Caduceus and the Rod of Asclepius are two distinct symbols with different origins and associations, particularly in the realm of medicine.

Here are the key differences between them:

Origin and Mythology

Caduceus

The caduceus has its origins in Greek and Roman mythology, where it was associated with the gods Hermes and Mercury. Hermes was a multifaceted deity known for his role as a messenger of the gods, and his attributes related to commerce, communication, and diplomacy.

Rod of Asclepius

The Rod of Asclepius is directly connected to the Greek god Asclepius, who was revered as the god of medicine and healing. Asclepius was known for his ability to restore health and his association with the art of medicine.

Symbols and Depictions

Caduceus

The Caduceus is typically depicted as a staff or rod with two serpents coiled around it, often with wings attached at the top of the staff. This, symbolizes Hermes’ role as a messenger and reflects themes of balance and communication.

Rod of Asclepius

The Rod of Asclepius features a single serpent (sometimes depicted as a snake) coiled around a staff or rod, without the wings. It represents healing, medicine, and the medical profession.

Association with Medicine

Caduceus

The Caduceus is not traditionally associated with medicine in its original symbolism. However, due to historical misunderstandings and mix-ups, it has been erroneously adopted as a medical symbol in some contexts, particularly in the United States.

Rod of Asclepius

The Rod of Asclepius is the true and ancient symbol of medicine, reflecting the healing arts and the medical profession. It is internationally recognized as a symbol of health and healing.

Contemporary Usage

Caduceus

The Caduceus is often used in non-medical contexts, such as in the field of commerce, finance, and various commercial organizations. It is sometimes used on medical-related materials, but its use in medicine is considered a misinterpretation. Still, it can be seen on hospital coats, uniforms, brooches, and pins. Sometimes, it’s used as a symbol of identification for healthcare workers, with their initials incorporated into the symbol, as well as the indication of their role as doctors, nurses, or emergency medical technicians. Given that the Caduceus is primarily a symbol of commerce and other non-medical symbology, many healthcare professionals disapprove of this use.

Rod of Asclepius

The Rod of Asclepius remains the primary and accurate symbol for the medical profession and healthcare. It is commonly seen on medical badges, healthcare facilities, and other medical-related materials to symbolize healing and medicine.

In summary, while the Caduceus and the Rod of Asclepius both have historical significance and symbolism, the key distinction lies in their origins and associations.

Lesser known representations and symbols of the Caduceus

Sacred Geometry

The Caduceus, when examined closely, reveals elements of sacred geometry. The intertwining of the two serpents can be seen as representing the caduceus-like pattern found in the DNA double helix, suggesting a connection between the symbol and the fundamental structure of life.

Hermetic Tradition and Healing Arts

In Hermeticism, the symbol is seen as an emblem of transformation and spiritual enlightenment, reflecting the concept of “As above, so below,” emphasizing the interconnectedness of the spiritual and material realms.

In Hermetic healing traditions, the Caduceus is used to represent a holistic approach to health and well-being, emphasizing the unity of mind, body and spirit. It serves as a reminder that true healing goes beyond physical remedies and incorporates the balance of all aspects of a person’s being.

Psychological Symbolism, Psychotherapy and Integration

In the field of psychology, the Caduceus has been interpreted as a symbol of inner healing and transformation. The serpents coiling around the staff can represent the integration and balance of the conscious and unconscious mind, leading to personal growth and self-realization.

In the realm of psychotherapy, the Caduceus can symbolize the process of psychological integration, where conflicting or opposing aspects of the self are reconciled and harmonized to promote mental and emotional health.

Duality and Polarity

The Caduceus often represents the reconciliation of opposites or dualities. The serpents, which can be interpreted as masculine and feminine energies, life and death, or light and darkness, signify the harmonious union of these opposing forces, creating a state of balance and wholeness.

Healing Beyond Medicine and Mercury

The Caduceus can also represent mental and emotional healing, highlighting the importance of balancing and harmonizing the mind and spirit for overall well-being. In ancient times, effective communication was seen as a form of healing, especially when delivering important news, which may have contributed to its association with medicine.

Egyptian Influence

Some scholars believe that the Caduceus may have been influenced by ancient Egyptian symbols, particularly the uraeus, a cobra symbol often depicted on the headdresses of pharaohs. The uraeus was associated with divine protection and power, which could have contributed to the Caduceus’ symbolism of divine communication and protection.

Cosmic Harmony

Some interpretations suggest that the Caduceus symbolizes the harmony and balance of cosmic forces, reflecting the interconnectedness of all things in the universe. The staff represents the axis of the world, and the serpents illustrate the cosmic forces that flow through and around it.

Rejuvenation and Vitality

The Caduceus can be seen as a symbol of rejuvenation and the restoration of vitality. The serpents are often associated with renewal and the shedding of old, worn-out skin, symbolizing the potential for personal transformation and renewal.

Meditation and Inner Exploration

In some esoteric practices, the Caduceus is employed as a meditation tool. Meditating on the symbol is believed to help individuals explore their inner world, achieve balance, and unlock hidden wisdom within.

Economic Transactions

The Caduceus is not only associated with the god Hermes but also with commerce and trade. In addition to representing balance and diplomacy, it symbolizes the efficiency of communication in commercial transactions, making it an emblem for business and finance.

In conclusion, the Caduceus is a multifaceted symbol that carries a rich tapestry of meanings. It is a symbol of great depth and significance, encompassing a wide range of interpretations, from practical and alchemical transformations to mental and emotional healing.

Its connections to various cultures, esoteric practices, and holistic approaches to well-being, reveal the enduring relevance and adaptability of this ancient emblem.

Its historical roots in Greek and Roman mythology, its misunderstood association with medicine, and its enduring significance in the world of commerce, make it a symbol that continues to intrigue and provoke thought.

Understanding the multifaceted nature of the Caduceus is essential to appreciate its historical significance and the varying roles it plays in different aspects of human life.

Another thing to note is that the meanings of symbols are dynamic, changing with the times. They acquire new meanings and lose association with some meanings with the passage of time. At the end of the day, the meaning of a symbol is what is given to it.

Whether used in medicine or commerce, the Caduceus remains a symbol of balance, communication, and the duality of life and death, connecting the ancient past to the complexities of the modern world.

The Caduceus’s enduring legacy is a testament to its timeless relevance in various facets of human life, from diplomacy and healing to communication and trade.

What do you think the Caduceus represents?

Let us know in the comments below and share with anyone who might be interested in the lesser-known stories and ideas of our world and beyond!


Video version and more Content here:

The Caduceus – Myth and Symbolism

https://www.youtube.com/@alkemystica/videos


Interesting sources, additional info and other points of views:

https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Caduceus

https://symbolsage.com/caduceus-symbol-meaning/

https://www.florenceinferno.com/rod-of-asclepius-and-caduceus-symbols/

https://www.theosophy.world/encyclopedia/caduceus

https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caduceo

https://geographiesoffreedom.wordpress.com/2018/10/23/ancient-freedom/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4439707/

https://www.intramundi.it/caduceo-il-significato-occulto/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caduceus_as_a_symbol_of_medicine


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English: Jean-Baptiste Tuby (1635-1700) after a drawing by Charles Le Brun (1619–1690)Français : Jean-Baptiste Tuby (1635-1700) d’après un dessin de Charles Le Brun (1619–1690)Русский: Жан-Батист Тюби (1635-1700) с рисунка Шарля Лебрёна (1619–1690)Crochet.david, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

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1 thought on “The Caduceus – Myth and Symbolism

  1. […] wings illustrate the idea of swift communication and the ability to move between different realms or ideas. This notion […]

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