The Snake in Medicine: A Symbol of Healing and Wisdom
The snake is a fascinating and mysterious creature that has been associated with medicine for thousands of years. But why is the snake a symbol of medicine and what does it represent? In this blog post, we will explore the origins and meanings of the snake in medicine, as well as some of the symbols that feature it.
The snake in ancient Greece
One of the earliest and most influential sources of the snake in medicine is ancient Greek mythology. According to the myths, Asclepius was the son of Apollo, the god of healing, and a mortal woman named Coronis. Asclepius learned the art of medicine from his father and from the centaur Chiron, who taught him how to use herbs, surgery, and magic to cure diseases and wounds. Asclepius became so skilled in healing that he could even raise the dead, which angered Zeus, the king of the gods, who feared that he would upset the balance of nature and make humans immortal. Zeus struck Asclepius with a thunderbolt and killed him, but later honored him as a god of medicine and placed him among the stars as the constellation Ophiuchus, or “the serpent bearer”.
Asclepius was worshipped in many temples across Greece, where people came to seek his help and guidance. In his temples, snakes were kept as sacred animals, because they were believed to have healing powers and to symbolize regeneration, due to their ability to shed their skin and renew themselves. Snakes were also used in healing rituals, where they would crawl over the sick and bite them gently, injecting their venom that was thought to have medicinal properties. The snake became a symbol of Asclepius and his healing power, and was often depicted coiling around his staff, which is known as the Rod of Asclepius.
The Rod of Asclepius is one of the most common and recognizable symbols of medicine today. It consists of a single snake winding around a wooden staff, sometimes with a knob at the top. The staff represents authority, while the snake represents wisdom, knowledge, and healing. The Rod of Asclepius is used by many medical organizations around the world, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the American Medical Association (AMA), and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
The snake in ancient Egypt
Another ancient civilization that revered the snake as a symbol of medicine was ancient Egypt. The Egyptians believed that snakes were guardians of the underworld and protectors of the pharaohs. They also associated snakes with Thoth, the god of writing, magic, and wisdom, who was often depicted with a snake on his head or as a snake-headed man. Thoth was credited with inventing medicine and teaching it to humans.
One of the most important snakes in Egyptian mythology was Wadjet, or “the green one”. Wadjet was a cobra goddess who protected the pharaohs and the land of Egypt. She was often shown as a cobra rising from a basket or a papyrus plant, or as a woman with a cobra head. Wadjet was also one of the symbols of Lower Egypt, along with her sister Nekhbet, who was a vulture goddess. Together, they formed the Two Ladies, who represented the unity of Upper and Lower Egypt under one ruler.
Wadjet’s image was used as an amulet to ward off evil and disease. She was also part of an emblem called the Eye of Horus, which was another powerful symbol of protection and healing. The Eye of Horus was a stylized eye that resembled a falcon’s eye, with markings that resembled Wadjet’s cobra hood. The Eye of Horus was believed to have magical properties that could heal wounds, restore sight, and provide insight. The Eye of Horus was also divided into six parts, each representing a fraction and a sense organ. These parts were used by ancient Egyptian doctors as units of measurement for prescribing medicines.
The snake in ancient Mesopotamia
A third ancient civilization that influenced the snake in medicine was ancient Mesopotamia, which encompassed modern-day Iraq, Syria, Turkey, and Iran. The Mesopotamians had a complex pantheon of gods and goddesses who controlled various aspects of nature and human life. One of these gods was Ningishzida, or “lord of the good tree”. Ningishzida was a god of vegetation, fertility, and healing. He was often depicted as a man with a horned helmet and a long beard, holding two snakes in his hands or wearing them around his neck. He was also shown as a snake with human arms or legs.
Ningishzida was associated with Gudea, a ruler of the city-state of Lagash, who built many temples and statues in his honor. Gudea claimed that Ningishzida was his personal protector and guide, who gave him visions and instructions on how to rule his kingdom. Gudea also credited Ningishzida with curing him of a serious illness that had afflicted him for seven years. Ningishzida’s snake symbol was used by Gudea and his successors as a sign of their legitimacy and authority.
Ningishzida was also linked to another Mesopotamian god, Tammuz, or “faithful son”. Tammuz was a god of shepherds, agriculture, and fertility. He was the lover of Inanna, the goddess of love and war, who descended to the underworld to rescue him after he died. Tammuz was believed to die and resurrect every year, following the cycle of the seasons. His death and rebirth were celebrated in an annual festival that involved mourning, fasting, and rejoicing. Tammuz’s symbol was a snake coiling around a staff, which represented his connection to the earth and his power of regeneration.
The snake in ancient Rome
The snake in medicine was also adopted by the ancient Romans, who borrowed many aspects of their culture from the Greeks and the Egyptians. The Romans worshipped Asclepius as Aesculapius, and built many temples and shrines for him throughout their empire. They also used his Rod as a symbol of medicine and healing. However, the Romans also introduced another symbol that featured a snake and a staff: the caduceus.
The caduceus was the staff of Mercury, the Roman god of commerce, travelers, thieves, and messengers. Mercury was the equivalent of the Greek god Hermes, who had received his staff from Apollo or Zeus. The caduceus consisted of two snakes intertwined around a winged staff, sometimes with a ball or a pine cone at the top. The staff represented Mercury’s authority and power, while the snakes represented his cunning and eloquence. The wings represented his speed and ability to travel between different realms.
The caduceus was not originally a symbol of medicine, but rather a symbol of trade, negotiation, and communication. However, over time, it became confused with the Rod of Asclepius, due to their similar appearance and association with snakes. The caduceus also became associated with alchemy, a medieval practice that combined science, philosophy, and magic to transform matter and achieve immortality. Alchemists used the caduceus as a symbol of the union of opposites, such as male and female, sun and moon, fire and water, which they believed was necessary for creating the philosopher’s stone, a substance that could turn base metals into gold and grant eternal life.
The snake in modern medicine
The snake in medicine has survived until today, as both the Rod of Asclepius and the caduceus are still used as symbols by various medical organizations and professionals around the world. However, there is some controversy over which symbol is more appropriate and accurate for representing medicine and health care.
Some argue that the Rod of Asclepius is the correct symbol for medicine, as it has a direct link to the ancient god of healing and his cult. They claim that the caduceus is a misused symbol that has nothing to do with medicine, but rather with commerce, deception, and alchemy. They also point out that the caduceus has negative connotations in some cultures, such as India, where it is seen as a symbol of death and destruction.
Others argue that the caduceus is a valid symbol for medicine, as it has a long history of being used by medical practitioners and institutions. They claim that the caduceus reflects the modern aspects of medicine, such as communication, technology, innovation, and diversity. They also point out that the caduceus has positive connotations in some cultures, such as China, where it is seen as a symbol of harmony and balance.
Regardless of which symbol one prefers or chooses to use, it is undeniable that the snake in medicine is a powerful and enduring symbol that has captured the imagination and curiosity of humans for millennia. The snake in medicine represents not only healing and wisdom but also mystery and transformation. It reminds us of our connection to nature and our potential for growth and renewal.
Bibliography
– Live Science (2022) Why Is the Medical Symbol a Snake on a Stick?
– Ancient Pages (2018) Why Is A Snake Symbol Of Medicine And Pharmacies?
– Wikipedia (2023) Caduceus as a symbol of medicine
