Caduceus Medical Symbol - History, Meaning, and Usage in Healthcare #132195 (License: Personal Use)

This black-and-white line drawing depicts the caduceus, a symbol historically associated with Hermes (Mercury) in Greek and Roman mythology, later adopted-though inaccurately-as a medical icon in the United States. The design includes two serpents coiling symmetrically around a central staff topped with wings, all enclosed in a clean circular border. Despite its widespread use by healthcare organizations, the Rod of Asclepius (single snake, no wings) is the more accurate symbol of medicine.

Used on healthcare websites, hospital signage, medical software interfaces, and educational content to represent medicine or health services; often appears in contexts where symbolic authority or professionalism is emphasized, though sometimes misapplied due to historical confusion.