Symbol of Medicine

When watching news about the WHO (World Health Organization), I noticed their flag has a serpent coiled around a rod, which bears resemblance to many other medical logos. Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine, is also always depicted with a staff entwined with a serpent, so it piqued my interest about the origin of the medical symbols containing a serpent and a stick. It was hardly surprising when I found that many logos associated with modern medicine are actually derived from the Rod of Asclepius.

WHO emblem

Statue of Asclepius with the Rod of Asclepius

The snake was used as a symbol of healing by the ancient Greeks because snakes were regarded as sacred and used in healing rituals. The venom from snakes was considered remedial and used for many ailments. Also, the shedding of the snake’s skin was viewed as a symbol of rebirth and renewal. Several healing temples or asclepieia where the sick were sent to recuperate in ancient Greece had non-venomous snakes called the Aesculapian snakes crawling freely around the dormitories where the sick and injured were housed. The staff is thought to represent the walking stick as a support for the sick. The two symbols were combined to make a symbol of medicine. There are other theories as to the origin of the symbol as well but this is the most widely known. No matter what the true origin, the symbol bearing a serpent coiled around a stick has survived to modern times and used all over the world to depict medicine and healthcare.

Besides the WHO, other prominent medical organizations that have logos based on the Rod of Asclepius include the American Medical Association, Canadian, British, and Australian Medical Associations, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Star of Life emergency services, and United States Air Force Medical Corps, as well as a number of medical schools including Stanford, New York University and Yale Schools of Medicine.

Various medical logos based on the Rod of Asclepius

Sources:

http://exhibits.hsl.virginia.edu/antiqua/mythology/

https://www.livescience.com/33104-why-is-the-medical-symbol-a-snake-on-a-stick.html

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