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A note about medical symbols & symbolism

Erroneously Applied Caduceus

The symbol chosen for this site is a variant of the caduceus, with the wings inverted. This is to symbolise the downward spiral of the medical orthodoxy, as it ever-plummets into new terrain of harm to mankind. It is interesting that, in the context of North American medicine at least, the caduceus is actually mistakingly used as a symbol of medicine. The correct symbol is a "Rod of Asclepius", which properly connotes healing. The caduceus is in fact an ancient symbol of commerce. Perhaps the errant use of the Caduceus is not so much a mistake as an unwittingly accurate depiction of modern orthodox medicine--and particularly so in the United States--where commerce tends to take precedence over both healing and the will to not do harm.

Here is a note from Wikipedia regarding the Caduceus:

A caduceus (/kəˈduːsiəs/, -ʃəs, -ˈdjuː-; kerykeion in Greek) or Wand of Hermes is a typically depicted short heralds staff entwined by two snakes in the form of a double helix. In addition this staff is often winged. It was an ancient astrological symbol of commerce and is often depicted being carried in the left hand of Greek god Hermes, the messenger and herald of the gods, conductor of the dead and protector of merchants and thieves. The caduceus is sometimes inaccurately used as a symbol for medicine, especially in North America, but the traditional medical symbol is the rod of Asclepius with only a single snake and no wings.

iatrogenesis' modified caduceus

The use of the staff of Hermes still cannot be apportioned as entirely accurate, even when just seen as a symbol of commerce. For Hermes was the god of writing and knowledge, the sacred master scribe who held the knowledge of life, death and manifestation upon this mortal plane of existence. Hermes is altogether too good a symbol for use by a system which is steeped in iatrogenesis. Hence the modified caduceus symbol has been adopted for this site, as a particular comment about both the commercial nature of orthodox medicine: but with wings inverted, to acknowledge the inversion of the ideals of Hermes.

Here is another note from Wikipedia, this time regarding the real symbol of healing, the Rod of Asclepius:

The rod of Asclepius (also known as the rod of Asklepios, rod of Aesculapius or asklepian) is an ancient Greek symbol associated with astrology and with healing the sick through medicine. It consists of a serpent entwined around a staff. Asclepius, the son of Apollo, was practitioner of medicine in ancient Greek mythology.

Symbolism

Real Healing: The Rod of Asclepius

The rod of Asclepius symbolizes the healing arts by combining the serpent, which in shedding its skin is a symbol of rebirth and fertility, with the staff, a symbol of authority befitting the god of Medicine. The snake wrapped around the staff is widely claimed to be a species of rat snake, Elaphe longissima, also known as the Aesculapian or Asclepian snake. It is native to southeastern Europe, Asia Minor, and some central European spa regions, apparently brought there by Romans for their healing properties.

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