Caduceus Symbol - Meaning, History, and Medical Use #3384918 (License: Personal Use)

This black-and-white line illustration depicts the caduceus-a herald’s staff associated with Hermes (Mercury) in Greek and Roman mythology, featuring two intertwined snakes and a pair of wings at the top. Though historically linked to commerce, negotiation, and diplomacy, the caduceus has been erroneously adopted in the United States and elsewhere as a symbol of medicine since the 19th century. Its visual distinction from the more accurate Rod of Asclepius (a single serpent on a plain staff) remains a frequent point of scholarly discussion.

This image is commonly used on healthcare websites, medical school pages, hospital branding, and educational content about medical symbolism. It serves users searching for information on medical icons, historical symbols, or design assets for health-related projects.