U modern man the snake is associated, rather, with something unpleasant. However, the snake is a generally accepted symbol of medicine throughout the world, and has been since ancient times.

In primitive society, when totemism and animalism took shape, reflecting the helplessness of primitive man in front of the outside world, the snake was one of the main totemic animals. With the emergence of the cult of the snake, a dual role was attributed to it: evil and good. On the one hand, the snake was a symbol of cunning and deceit, on the other - immortality, wisdom and knowledge.

In many nations, the snake symbolizes good beginnings, ensuring the well-being of the home and the health of those living there, and also has magical power heal wounds and teach people healing skills.

It is characteristic that in the ancient world medicine was symbolized not by a poisonous snake, but by a harmless snake. It was snakes - Aesculapian snakes - that lived in the centers of the cult of the god of healing Aesculapius in Greece and Rome. Records of ancient medical authors indicate that snakes crawled around the house during “sacred sleep”, often licking sore spots - eyes, wounds. The Romans were very fond of these snakes and kept them in baths and baths. It is believed that the Aesculapian snake came to some European countries thanks to the Roman conquerors.

There are different explanations for the fact that many peoples have long associated snakes with healing the sick.

Some researchers believe that illness, and especially death, have always been mysterious and incomprehensible phenomena for people. The causes of illness and death were also unclear. The snake, too, has always remained a mysterious and incomprehensible creature. Maybe, these researchers believe, people connect strange phenomena with strange creatures. Perhaps, although the explanation is perhaps not very convincing. Moreover, the snake has always been a symbol of wisdom, learning, i.e. alternatives to ignorance.

In the mythology of the countries of the Ancient East, snakes often appeared, usually together with deities who were associated with the health of people and their healing. Among African peoples, the snake was also often associated with healing. This is obviously explained by the fact that in Africa sorcerers were engaged in healing; they, as a rule, were also snake charmers. The symbol of the sorcerer was a snake. That's how it happened: the snake is a sorcerer - healing magic. Then for some reason the sorcerer fell out of this chain, and what remained was the snake and healing magic.

In Europe, the snake not only symbolized a healer, as in Africa - a sorcerer, it symbolized wisdom and knowledge in general. Perhaps doctors, as representatives of a special profession, stood out from the environment earlier than others " learned people“And, perhaps, they were the first scientists on Earth. Therefore, it was the snake that remained their professional emblem.

And yet, it is difficult to say with certainty why this happened: we have almost no facts, except for one fact - the symbol of medicine - the snake.

It is assumed that the snake symbol was first used as an emblem of healing around the 2nd millennium BC in Ancient Babylon, where animal worship was maintained during the era of slavery.

As an emblem of medicine, the snake was originally depicted without any attributes. Later, images of a snake appeared in combination with various items. The emblem of medicine is known in the form of the tripod of Apollo entwined with a snake. In Europe (France, Belgium, Greece, etc.) from the 18th century. There was a medical emblem in the form of a mirror entwined with a snake. The mirror was a symbol of purity and caution - qualities necessary for the doctor.

However, the most famous were three emblems of medicine: the staff of Asclepius, the caduceus and the cup with the snake.

Staff of Asclepius

The Staff of Asclepius - a gnarled stick around which a snake is coiled head up - has been one of the most recognizable symbols of medicine since around the 8th century. BC e.

Greek myths tell that Asclepius (among the Romans - Aesculapius, ascending to the Phoenician Eshmun) - the son of the god of light, truth and prophecies Apollo - learned his healing skills from the centaur Chiron and was known as a most skillful doctor who knew how to resurrect the dead. However, Zeus, fearing that thanks to the art of Asclepius people would become immortal, killed him with a lightning strike. Asclepius began to be revered as the god of healing.

One of the ancient Greek myths tells that Asclepius was invited to the palace of Minos, the king of Crete, to resurrect his dead son. The doctor was walking, leaning on his staff, and suddenly a snake entwined the staff. Frightened, Asclepius killed the snake. But as soon as he did this, a second snake appeared, carrying some kind of grass in its mouth. This grass resurrected killed. Apparently, Asclepius was already destined to become a god, so he, possessing inhuman insight, immediately understood everything, found the grass that the snake brought, collected it and, arriving in Crete, resurrected itson of King Minos. This legend explains why in most cases Asclepius is depicted standing, wearing a longcloak, holding a staff entwined with a snake. His figure became the first international emblem of medicine.

Currently, a vertical staff entwined with a snake, depicted against a background of a globe bordered by laurel branches, is the emblem of the World Health Organization (WHO) of the United Nations. This emblem was adopted at the First World Health Assembly in 1948 and consists essentially of two emblems: the UN emblem (a globe framed by laurel branches) and the emblem of medicine (a staff entwined with a snake). The symbolism of this emblem reflects the dominance of medicine over the healing, life-protecting forces of nature (snake).

Caduceus (rod of Mercury)

The Greek word "caduceus" ("sign of the messenger's authority") called the messenger's magic wand greek gods Hermes (to the Romans - Mercury), entwined with two snakes, usually crowned with a pair of wings.

The snakes entwined around the caduceus symbolized the interaction of opposing forces. In Roman mythology, Mercury used a rod to reconcile two fighting snakes - the reason why he became in Ancient Rome symbol of the balanced and virtuous behavior.

The caduceus began to be used as a sign protecting the secrecy of commercial or political correspondence. Nowadays it is an emblem of medicine or commerce, but the caduceus was once an intriguingly varied symbolic figure.

The rod, entwined with two snakes, combines several fundamental symbolic elements: the central rod symbolizes the Tree of Life (meaning the connection between heaven and earth); the double spiral formed by snakes is a symbol of cosmic energy, duality, as well as the unity of opposites; the snakes themselves are the fruitful forces of the earthly and otherworldly worlds.

Over the past 4,000 years, this symbol has been associated with divine powers(and sometimes with the messengers of the gods) in Phenicia and Babylon, in Egypt and India (where the “caduceus” became the designation of kundalini - the energy of awakening). In alchemy, the caduceus is a symbol of the unity of opposites (mercury and sulfur). It can symbolize balance, and in Western art it can be an attribute of the allegorical figure of the World.

The association with medicine was due to the presence of snakes in the “caduceus” - as in the staff of Aesculapius. The famous psychologist Carl Jung considered the “caduceus” to be the emblem of homeopathic medicine - the snake signifies both poison and medicinal potion.

Bowl with snake

This is the most common medical emblem in our country.

The first images of a bowl with a snake date back to 800-600. BC e. At the same time, at first the snake and the bowl appeared separately and were attributes of the daughter of Aesculapius, the goddess of health Tigea, who was usually depicted with a snake in one hand and a bowl in the other.

There was no exact and legalized symbol of medicine in the form of an image of a snake coiled around a bowl or depicted next to it, either in ancient times or much later. According to Academician E.N. Pavlovsky, this appeared only in the 16th century, thanks to the famous physician Paracelsus, who first proposed a similar combination instead of the traditional caduceus at that time.

The true meaning of this emblem remains controversial. It is possible that she represents medicinal properties snake venom, so widely used in medicine, and means with court where snake venom was kept. The snake symbolizes wisdom, knowledge, immortality and, in general, all good principles.

One of the first Russian medical historians to analyze the content of the symbol of a bowl entwined with a snake was F.R. Borodulin. He put it this way: “We are inclined to regard this emblem as a reminder to the physician of the need to be wise, and to draw wisdom from the cup of knowledge of nature.” That is, in our time, the cup in the medical emblem is represented as the cup of the human mind, which embraces the whole world.

In Russia, this emblem, called the "Hippocratic Cup", became the main medical symbol in the 18th century, although no official state documents No evidence has been found to confirm this.

As a distinction between medical service in the army, a bowl with a snake (two snakes) was introduced under Peter I. A snake entwined around the leg of the bowl and bowing its head over the bowl itself, as a symbol of military medicine, was approved in our country by the Revolutionary Military Council in 1924 (1922?) . This emblem is still preserved in Russia as the official emblem of military medical personnel of all branches.

The most common is the use of an emblem in the form of a bowl with a snake for pharmaceutical activities. In any case, this is considered the absolute basis for refusal to register this symbol as a trademark of pharmaceutical companies.
Apparently it is worth mentioning two very common humorous interpretations of the “Bowl with a Snake” emblem. The first is the motto of doctors: “He’s as cunning as a snake, and he’s not a fool to drink.” The second is a popular one with numerous variations: “Mother-in-law eats ice cream.”

Psychiatry and psychology Articles

Snake, cup and staff: the origin of medical symbols

2012-09-18

The image of a snake entwined around a staff was adopted as a symbol medical profession in the middle of the 20th century The World Health Organization (WHO) at the United Nations (UN) at the First World Assembly in Geneva. Thus, in 1948, the international health emblem was approved, in the center of which, as we said, a staff entwined with a snake was placed.

This is not the only image that has been used by doctors to denote their profession. For example, the symbol of pharmacy is a bowl with a snake, the sign of the emergency medical service is the six-pointed “Star of Life”, in the center of which there is also a snake and a staff. At different times and different cultures medical symbols reflected the perception of life and death, health and illness, and recalled the image of a healer and methods of treatment. The emblems replaced each other, and, as a result, quite a lot of them accumulated to create a general classification.

Common medical emblems include:

• snake;
• a snake entwining a staff (staff of Asclepius-Aesculapius);
• a snake coiled around a bowl;
• a snake entwining the tripod of Apollo;
• a snake entwining the omphalos (Delphic navel);
• two snakes entwining a staff (the rod of Hermes-Mercury);
• a snake (or two snakes) entwining a candle (or lamp);
• a snake coiled around a mirror;
• ankh;
• egg;
• a burning torch or a burning candle;
• lamp (“while shining on others, I burn myself”);
• rooster;
• heart on the palm;

Private medical emblems include:

• image of a lily of the valley (a symbol of therapy and healing power);
• image of a Florentine baby;
• urinaria (a vessel for collecting urine - a symbol of observation by a doctor of the patient);
• clyster (enema);
• hand feeling the pulse (therapeutic profile emblem);
• pentagrams, images of some surgical instruments(scalpel, scissors);
• a drop of blood (the emblem of a surgical profile);
• mortars, mortar and pestle (emblems of pharmacy, medical societies).

However, the most common and durable images turned out to be images of a snake, a bowl and a staff, the origin of which we will talk in more detail.

Bowl with snake

This is one of the most common medical symbols. The history of its origin goes back to the development of ancient civilizations of the East, Egypt and Greece, the New World. Most often, the emblem is called the Cup of Hygieia. If you turn to the ancient Greek myth about the god of medicine Asclepius, you can see many legends about his children. Among the daughters and sons of the eminent doctor we see Telesphorus, the genius of recovery, Panacea, responsible for drug treatment, Iaso, goddess of healing. The eldest daughter of Asclepius, Hygieia, was the goddess of health and was depicted as a maiden with a bowl from which she feeds a snake.

The most common assumption about the occurrence bowls how a medical symbol connects it with perception fresh water, pouring from the sky in the arid and desert countries of the Ancient East. Of course, water here is a gift from heaven, precious moisture and a healing agent, and it can only be collected with the help of a vessel - a bowl (even the most primitive one, in the form of two palms folded together). In ancient mythology, the gods drank the drink of immortality from a cup. Many figurative expressions have reached our time: “the cup of life”, “the cup of happiness”, “the cup of patience”, “the cup of suffering”, “drink the cup to the bottom”, “let the house be like a full cup”, “let this cup pass from me” " In addition, the bowl is an ancient vessel for storing snake venom, from which various medicines were made.

Snake symbolizes health, caution, wisdom, power. The cult of the snake is fundamental in culture and is reflected in the myths and legends of almost all countries Ancient World. The snake, among other things, was a symbol of eternal youth: the annual change of skin symbolized rejuvenation. Many legends are associated with the fact that the reptile knows the secret eternal life. For example, in the Sumerian myth, Gilgamesh finds the flower of eternal youth in the depths of the waters, but while he is bathing, a snake kidnaps him and becomes younger, shedding his skin. Since then, legend teaches, snakes have gained immortality, but people have remained mortal creatures.

The magazine “Health of the World” (May 1970) expresses the opinion that the emblem of healing in the ancient world was not a poisonous snake, but a harmless, good-climbing, waterfowl snake, which in Latin is called “Asclepius snake” (coluber flavescens aesculapii). It is these snakes that are found on the sites of former buildings of Roman legionnaires near healing springs in Switzerland (in Valissa and Lower Tessin), Austria (near Baden near Vienna), Germany (near Schlagenbad). Snakes were not found in these countries, and they were brought here by the Romans. Thus, in the emblem of the bowl with the snake, the snake symbolizes wisdom, knowledge, immortality and, in general, all good principles.

Staff with snake

The Staff of Asclepius is an ancient medical symbol. According to legend, ancient greek god medicine and healing Asclepius walked, leaning on his staff, to the palace of the Cretan king Minos, who called him to resurrect his dead son. On the way, a snake wrapped itself around the staff, and Asclepius killed it. Next a second snake appeared, with grass in its mouth, with the help of which it resurrected the first creature. Asclepius found this herb and, with its help, began to resurrect the dead himself. On the emblem staff is depicted as an unprocessed stick with branches, which symbolizes the long journeys in which the doctor gained experience and wisdom. Sometimes a staff with branches covered with leaves served as a symbol of medicine. They personified recovery and the beginning of a new life.

Sometimes, not the staff of Asclepius, but the rod of Hermes was used as a symbol of medicine. In this case, two snakes entwined a rod, at the end of which there were wings. This sign remains in service in the USA, England and France to this day. The staff of Hermes (Mercury) was called caduceus. In Roman mythology, Mercury used a rod to reconcile two fighting snakes - the reason why he became an example of balanced and virtuous behavior in Ancient Rome. The caduceus of Hermes became a general medical symbol during the Renaissance. This is probably due to the fact that in the 16th century alchemy began to develop, the patron of which was Hermes. The wand was often crowned with a crow as one of the symbols of alchemy. The result of the combination of alchemical art with the art of healing at this time was iatrochemistry, the great representative of which was Paracelsus. It's funny, but he himself used a pentagram as a symbol of medicine.

Recognizable signs all over the world. The Red Cross emblem is a permit to carry out humanitarian activities - the emblem is designed to protect both the victims and the people who came to their aid. In countries with a predominantly Muslim population, a red crescent is used instead of the red cross emblem.
How did this international symbol appear? In 1859, Henri Dunant witnessed the Battle of Solferino, after which thousands of wounded soldiers were left without any help on the battlefield. The army sanitation services failed to cope with their responsibilities. One of the reasons for this was that they did not have any single distinctive emblem that could be easily identified by each side of the conflict.
An international conference was held in Geneva in 1863, which tried to find a solution to the problem of the low efficiency of army sanitary services on the battlefield. The conference participants approved the emblem - a red cross on a white background - as the distinctive sign of societies providing assistance to wounded military personnel.
During the Eastern Crisis (1875–1878) and the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878), the Ottoman Empire allowed the activities of the Red Cross on its territory, obliging the ICRC to change its symbolism to the Red Crescent. Since then, in most Islamic countries the same role has been played by the red crescent, and in Iran by the red lion and sun (abolished in 1980).
Subsequently, Article 38 of the 1949 Geneva Convention I recognized the emblems of the red cross and red crescent on a white background as protective signs of military medical services. This excluded the possibility of using any other signs other than the indicated emblems.
The red Star of David is common in Israel, although it is not recognized by international humanitarian law. At the international level, this symbolism caused protests Arab countries. In this regard, on December 8, 2005, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) approved an addition to the official emblem of this organization. Now, along with the red cross and crescent, it uses a red crystal - a rhombus on a white background, standing on one of the corners.
Israel also announced its readiness to use the red diamond when conducting operations under the auspices of the ICRC outside the country, while in Israel itself the symbol of medical services will remain Magen David Adom - the red Star of David.
However, the fact that a person, organization or company is involved or wishes to participate in relief efforts does not in itself give them the right to use these symbols. Any use of the red cross (red crescent) emblem not authorized by the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the Additional Protocols of 1977, and by unauthorized institutions is misuse (abuse).
Thus, in peacetime, these symbols can be used as a distinctive sign by the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. On the territory Russian Federation- this is the Russian Red Cross (RRC).
Also, a red cross can be depicted on vehicles ahs and points used for first aid, subject to compliance with national legislation, permission from the RKK and assistance provided exclusively free of charge.
During times of conflict, the emblem serves as a visible sign of the protection provided in accordance with the provisions of the Geneva Conventions. Its purpose is to show the armed forces that under the protection of the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols are:
— volunteers from national societies, medical staff, delegates International Committee Red Cross, etc.,
— hospitals, first aid stations, mobile hospitals, etc.,
— vehicles (land, sea and air).
It is necessary that the emblem, when used as a protective sign, commands respect and encourages the armed forces to act with restraint.

Blue snowflake appeared in the United States of America. There she is called the “star of life”.

This medical emblem accompanies the emergency service medical care.
Each of the 6 rays of the blue star represents one of the functions of the emergency medical service: detection, notification, response, on-site assistance, transport assistance, transport for further assistance.
The light blue color of the cross symbolizes freeness and charity.
In the center of the emblem are a snake and the staff of Asclepius (see below).
The "star of life" emblem was designed by Leo R. Schwartz,

Chief of the Division of Emergency Medical Services of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The emblem was developed after the American Red Cross banned the use of the previously used orange cross on a white background, considering it an imitation of the Red Cross emblem.
The six-pointed blue snowflake has been registered as a certification mark since February 1, 1977. Its use on an emergency medical vehicle ensures that the vehicle is equipped to meet US Department of Transportation standards and that the personnel using the vehicle are trained to provide emergency medical care. Using the logo on road maps and signs indicate the locations of qualified emergency medical services.

Aesculapian snake
In primitive society, the snake was one of the main totem animals. With the emergence of the cult of the snake, a dual role was attributed to it: evil and good. On the one hand, the snake was a symbol of cunning and deceit, on the other - immortality, wisdom and knowledge.
For many peoples, the snake symbolizes good beginnings, ensuring the well-being of the home and the health of those living there, and also has the magical power to heal wounds and teach people healing skills.
It is characteristic that in the ancient world medicine was symbolized not by a poisonous snake, but by a harmless snake. The Romans were very fond of these reptiles and kept them in baths and baths. It is believed that the Aesculapian snake came to some European countries thanks to the Roman conquerors.
In the mythology of the countries of the Ancient East, snakes often appeared together with deities who were associated with the health of people and their healing. It is assumed that the snake symbol was first used as an emblem of healing around the 2nd millennium BC in Ancient Babylon.
Among African peoples, the snake was also often associated with healing. This is obviously explained by the fact that in Africa sorcerers were engaged in healing; they, as a rule, were also snake charmers.
In Europe, the snake not only symbolized a healer, as in Africa - a sorcerer, it symbolized wisdom and knowledge in general. Perhaps doctors, as representatives of a special profession, stood out earlier than others from among “scientific people” and, perhaps, were even the first scientists on Earth. Therefore, it was the snake that remained their professional emblem.
As an emblem of medicine, the snake was originally depicted without any attributes. Later, images of snakes appeared in combination with various objects. The emblem of medicine is known in the form of the tripod of Apollo entwined with a snake. In Europe (France, Belgium, Greece, etc.) since the 8th century, there has been a medical emblem in the form of a mirror entwined with a snake. The mirror was a symbol of purity and caution - qualities necessary for a doctor. But the most famous were three emblems of medicine with the image of a snake: the staff of Asclepius, the caduceus and the cup with the snake.

Staff of Asclepius
The Staff of Asclepius - a gnarled stick around which a snake is coiled - has been one of the most recognizable symbols of medicine since around the 8th century. BC e.

Greek myths tell that Asclepius (Aesculapius among the Romans) - the son of the god of light, truth and prophecies Apollo - learned his healing skills from the centaur Chiron and was known as a skilled doctor who knew how to resurrect the dead. However, Zeus, fearing that thanks to the art of Asclepius people would become immortal, killed him with a lightning strike. Asclepius began to be revered as the god of healing.
One of the ancient Greek myths tells that Asclepius was invited to the palace of Minos, the king of Crete, to resurrect his dead son. The doctor was walking, leaning on his staff, and suddenly a snake entwined the staff. Frightened, Asclepius killed the snake. But as soon as he did this, a second snake appeared, carrying some kind of grass in its mouth. This herb resurrected the dead. Asclepius, possessing inhuman insight, found the grass that the snake brought, collected it and, arriving in Crete, resurrected the son of King Minos with it.
Currently, a staff entwined with a snake, depicted against a background of a globe bordered by laurel branches, is the emblem of the World Health Organization of the United Nations. This emblem was adopted in 1948 and reflects the dominance of medicine over the healing, life-protecting forces of nature.

Caduceus (rod of Mercury)
The Greek word "caduceus" ("sign of the messenger's authority") was the name given to the magic rod of the messenger of the Greek gods Hermes (for the Romans - Mercury), entwined with two snakes, usually crowned with a pair of wings.
The snakes entwined around the caduceus symbolized the interaction of opposing forces. In Roman mythology, Mercury used a rod to reconcile two fighting snakes - the reason why it became a symbol of balanced and virtuous behavior in Ancient Rome.

Today the caduceus is an emblem of medicine or commerce, but over the past 4,000 years the symbol has been associated with divine powers (and sometimes with messengers of the gods) in Phenicia and Babylon, in Egypt and India. In alchemy, the caduceus is a symbol of the unity of opposites. It symbolized balance, and in Western art it was an attribute of the allegorical figure of the World.
The association with medicine was due to the presence of snakes in the caduceus - as in the staff of Aesculapius. The famous psychologist Carl Jung considered the caduceus to be the emblem of homeopathic medicine - the snake signifies both poison and medicinal potion.

Bowl with snake
This is the most common medical emblem in Russia.
The first images of a bowl with a snake date back to 800-600 BC. e. At first, the snake and the cup appeared separately and were attributes of the daughter of Aesculapius, the goddess of health Hygeia, who was usually depicted with a snake in one hand and a cup in the other.
According to Academician E.N. Pavlovsky, the first image of a snake entwined around a bowl appeared in the 16th century, thanks to the famous physician Paracelsus, who first proposed such a combination instead of the caduceus, which was traditional at that time.

The true meaning of this emblem remains controversial. Perhaps the cup means a vessel that contained snake venom, which was widely used in medicine at that time. The snake symbolizes wisdom, knowledge, immortality.
Russian medical historian F.R. Borodulin believed that this emblem is a reminder to the doctor of the need to be wise and to draw wisdom from the cup of knowledge of nature.
In Russia, this emblem, called the “Hippocratic Cup,” became the main medical symbol in the 8th century. As a distinction of medical service in the army, a bowl with a snake (two snakes) was introduced under Peter I. A snake entwined around the leg of the bowl and bowing its head over the bowl itself, as a symbol of military medicine, was approved in our country by the Revolutionary Military Council in 1924. This sign is still preserved in Russia as the official emblem of military medical personnel of all branches.
The most common is the use of an emblem in the form of a bowl with a snake for pharmaceutical activities.

When using materials in full or in part, a link to the State Budgetary Institution JSC "Rescue Service" (www..

The modern emblem of medicine - a snake entwined around the leg of a bowl and bowing its head over the bowl itself - was approved in our country back in 1924, and then received widespread and beyond. Sharp-tongued medical students long ago came up with an interpretation for the sign of medicine: the symbol explains that the doctor is not simple, he is as cunning as a snake, and he is not a fool to drink. What is the origin of this sign?

The snake has accompanied doctors since ancient times. The legendary Greek doctor Asclepius (we know him better in Roman transcription - Aesculapius) was always depicted with a snake, because thanks to snakes he became not just a great doctor, but even a doctor-god, the patron of medicine. Here's what it says about it Greek myth. Already quite famous, Asclepius was invited Cretan king Minos to resurrect his dead son. The doctor was walking, leaning on his staff, when suddenly a poisonous snake wrapped itself around the staff. In fear, Asclepius killed her with a blow of his staff, but a second snake appeared, carrying some kind of grass in its mouth. The grass resurrected the dead. The brilliant doctor realized what was going on, found the herb that the snake had brought, and collected it and went to Crete, where he resurrected the son of King Minos with it.

Slab found in Ephesus depicting the symbol of medicine

Many researchers believe that the basis of “snake symbolism” in medicine is a person’s secret fear of snakes, the desire to appease the formidable “goddess of death” or scare away illness using the formidable appearance of a poisonous snake. In ancient legends there are often references to various mythical snake-like creatures that brought death to humans. At the same time, their body parts and poison were also considered strong and universal medicines. Pliny the Elder in Natural History wrote about healing properties ambisthenes (Greek: “moving in two directions”) - snakes with two heads: one is located in the usual place, the other on the tail: “... as if one head was not enough for it to spew out its poison.” The snake symbolized death and immortality, good and evil. They were personified by her forked tongue and the poisonousness of her bites, along with healing effect poison, and the mysterious ability to hypnotize small animals and birds. This apparent contradiction, the combination in one image of two different, often opposing principles, is characteristic of symbols that have come to us from ancient times. Another example of this contradiction is the cup. Various hypotheses associate the origin of this healing emblem with the healing effect of water and the tradition of preparing medicines in a ritual bowl.

The first images of such a symbol of medicine were dated 800-600. BC True, in those days the snake and the cup existed separately - in the right and left hands of the goddess of health Gaia. The emblem with a combination of a cup and a snake, which we are used to seeing, was proposed in the 16th century by the famous physician Paracelsus.

According to the Russian historian F.R. Borodulin, the cup symbolizes the vessel where the knowledge of nature is stored, which a wise doctor should draw from it. Officially, the cup with snakes was introduced as a distinctive sign of military medicine by Peter I. The emblem with a cup and snakes is widespread among pharmacists.

On the territory of Russia, an image with a snake entwining the leg of a bowl is still considered the emblem of the military medical troops.

But a bowl with a snake is not the only symbol of medicine used; there are others that are quite popular.

Staff of Asclepius

The origins of this medical emblem go back to the 6th century. BC and have Greek roots. The staff itself is a gnarled stick with a snake coiled around it.

The legend told above gave rise to the fact that the image of the first international emblem of medicine depicted Asclepius holding a staff with a snake entwined in his hand.

In 1948, when the First World Health Assembly was held, the chairmen of the WHO chose as the emblem of the organization a staff studded with a snake, symbolizing medicine, which was depicted against the backdrop of a globe bordered by laurel branches - the UN emblem.

Caduceus (rod of Mercury)

In mythology ancient Greece“caduceus” meant the rod of Hermes (the messenger of the gods, in Roman mythology - Mercury). The rod was entwined with two snakes and crowned with wings. Snakes symbolized the interaction of opposites. Subsequently, the rod became a symbol of poise and virtue. Since the caduceus was an integral part of the image of the messenger, it also represented the protection of the secrecy of commercial and political correspondence.

However, in the emblem of medicine the rod appears as the “tree of life.” The two snakes entwining him symbolize the opposition between the world of the living and the world of the dead, and their interweaving means the unity of opposing forces.

Red cross and red crescent

The Red Cross was originally used as the emblem of the sanitary service armed forces, which provided protection and assistance to the sick and wounded.

The use of the image and name of the red cross and red crescent is controlled by the Geneva Conventions of 1949, as well as their additional protocols of 1977.

In Muslim countries, instead of what is usual for the majority European countries The Red Cross symbol of charitable assistance to the sick and wounded is the red crescent.

One of the founders of the famous red cross emblem was Henri Dunant, who in 1859 was impressed by the number of casualties in the Battle of Solferino. Then the army orderlies could not cope with a large number wounded, and one of the reasons for this was their lack of any distinctive feature, which could be identified by each of the conflicting parties.

After 4 years, at International conference In Geneva, the emblem of societies to assist wounded military personnel was adopted. This emblem became a red cross on a white background.

The Eastern Crisis (1875–1878) and the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878) caused an influx of Red Cross personnel into the territory Ottoman Empire. But here the ICRC's activities were allowed only if the image of the cross on the emblem was changed to a crescent. As a result, at the Geneva Convention in 1949, the emblems of the red cross and red crescent on a white background were recognized as protective signs of military medical services.

Currently, the use of the emblem of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in addition to the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Society and the International Committee of the Red Cross is permitted national societies and persons related to this organization. In wartime, the image of a red cross or crescent on a white background serves as a distinctive sign and protection of military medical units, as well as hospitals, clinics and vehicles providing assistance to those in need.

What living creature is associated with medicine? Of course there is a snake wrapped around the bowl. Meanwhile, the poisonous reptile was not always the only medical emblem. There were and still are many alternative characters.

Great and terrible

Snake form of the ancient Egyptian goddess Isis

Snakes have been worshiped at all times and in all corners of the Earth. In the myths of Babylon and Assyria, these reptiles reigned in prehistoric times. Snake-headed gods were in many pantheons, and the scaly companion was one of the most frequent companions of higher powers.

“There is a great serpent; he is the king of the land of Ethiopia; All the rulers bow to him and bring him a beautiful maiden as a gift. Having decorated her, they bring her before this serpent and leave her alone, and this serpent devours her... The length of this serpent is 170 cubits, and the thickness is 4; his teeth are a cubit long, and his eyes are like a fiery flame, his eyebrows are black like a raven, and his whole appearance is like tin and copper... He has a horn of three cubits. When he moves, the noise can be heard for seven days' journey."

From an Abyssinian legend

Snakes were considered immortal - after all, they are capable of periodically shedding their skin, that is, renewing themselves. Many myths agree that this gift was originally intended for people, but either nosy reptiles stole it, as in Sumerian legends, or man himself abandoned the heavy burden of eternal life in favor of creeping reptiles, as in Greek myth.

In the ancient world, snakes were very closely intertwined with medicine. So, it is the snake, according to Greek mythology, led Asclepius to think about the possibility of resurrecting the dead. One day he was invited to the palace of the Cretan ruler Minos to resurrect the deceased prince. On his staff, Asclepius suddenly saw a snake and killed it. Immediately another snake appeared with healing herb in her mouth and resurrected the dead woman. The future god used this herb and resurrected the deceased.

The snake wraps itself around the body of Isis, the patroness of healing in Ancient Egypt, cobra is one of the forms of the goddess. The same symbol adorned the field first aid kit of a military doctor in the Roman army. On the one hand, people wanted to appease the formidable forces of nature in this way, and on the other hand, using the ominous appearance of the snake, they wanted to scare away diseases.

Fateful Vessel

Another component of the traditional medical emblem - the cup - also has ancient origin. In the desert area it was extremely important to catch the heaven-sent life-giving moisture, large metal bowls were also used for this. This is exactly what the sick man depicted on the ancient Egyptian stele holds in his hands, turning to the gods for help.

Water was an essential component of any treatment. Healing incantations and spells were often carved or minted directly on the vessels. The expressions “cup of life”, “cup of patience”, “drink the cup to the bottom”, “house full of cup” have been preserved to this day, which show how important these seemingly everyday utensils were for the ancestors.

Different bowls carried different symbolic meanings. For example, two-bottomed, or double, reflects the duality of human nature, positive and negative, heavenly and earthly components, sublime and base aspirations. That is why a cup without a second bottom, a Greek phial without a stand, has taken root in medicine. It is she who is often depicted in the hands of the daughters (and, according to another version, the wives in general) of Asclepius - Hygieia and Panacea.

The bowl is also directly related to snakes: their venom was collected and stored mainly in such vessels. It also mixed theriaki - ancient and medieval universal antidotes. Until the 20th century, copper or brass bowls were used by pharmacists.

One of the rare variants of the emblem is a snake entwined around the handle of a mirror. She seems to be guarding the surface human consciousness, which contains reflections of previous millennia. Apparently, this is why the International Society for the History of Medicine chose such an unusual symbol for itself in 1980.

Symbol, but not the same one

If you look closely at the emblem of the World Health Organization, which was approved at the First Assembly in Geneva in 1948, you will notice that the snake there is not wrapped around a bowl, but a staff. Why did this happen? Where did this attribute even come from?

This is the staff of Asclepius. The same one that killed one snake and onto which the second one climbed, coming to resurrect it. This symbol contains large number other meanings. For example, it is most often depicted as a gnarled stick, which signifies a connection with the earth and nature. In addition, the staff is a symbol of travel, and it was during travel that ancient doctors acquired their knowledge and skills. In addition, if the doctor relied on something while walking, it means that he was wise not only by years, but also by experience. And it was this doctor who was trusted the most.

In the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, the staff was transformed into a doctor's cane, and in some cases into a doctor's sword, which Paracelsus had, for example. Often at the top there was a secret medicine, a unique antidote, or simply vinegar used to prevent infection from the patient. The tradition disappeared only by the middle of the 20th century, and the staff became a symbol of medicine in Europe.

By the way, on the staff of Asclepius there may be not one snake, but two. But much more interesting story another emblem, when the staff is shorter, there are always two snakes, and there are also wings on top. Caduceus, the staff of heralds, as well as an indispensable instrument of the god Hermes (Mercury), capable of reconciling even the most ardent opponents. The caduceus became a general medical symbol during the Renaissance.

There is a version that this is due to the fact that in the 16th century alchemy began to develop, the patron of which was Hermes. The main goal of alchemical experiments at that time was no longer the search for the philosopher's stone, but the obtaining of medicines. On vessels with medicines alchemists usually put a seal with the image of Hermes. As an emblem of doctors, the caduceus has become established, for example, in the United States of America. But there is another version: the caduceus was simply mistaken for another staff of Asclepius, fortunately they are similar. How many erroneous things become entrenched in our lives? Here is the rod of Hermes - from approximately the same opera.

Well, the classic snake with a bowl has taken root mainly in the territory former USSR. IN modern Russia there were some modifications, for example, on the current emblem Military Medical Academy two snakes are depicted entwining a bowl in opposition to each other (see figure above).

And others

Asclepius and the rooster. Statue of Asclepius with a dog lying at his feet in the asklepion

For a long time, the owl, rooster, raven and dog were considered full-fledged and equivalent symbols of medicine. All of them in different times depicted next to Asclepius. The owl and the raven were considered a symbol of wisdom, without which a doctor could not do without. The dog is the personification of loyalty and devotion, the desire to serve and protect. The raven from this company lasted the longest; medieval alchemists marked their medicines with its image.

An interesting interpretation of the role of the rooster: first of all, it was simply sacrificial food, its blood was intended for Asclepius, and the meat to which was attributed healing properties- sick. With the advent of Christianity, another interpretation appeared: the crow of a rooster drives away evil spirits, welcomes the morning when most patients feel better.

“How pleasant is the crowing of a rooster at night. And not only pleasant, but also useful. This cry inspires hope in everyone’s heart; patients feel relief, pain in wounds decreases: with the arrival of light, the heat of the fever subsides"

Ambrose of Milan (III century)

The rooster was often depicted paired with a snake, in which case they personified two key qualities of a doctor: vigilance and caution. Sometimes on ancient bas-reliefs, Asclepius is accompanied by a goat. Her image recalls that, according to Greek mythology, the goat Athena fed milk to the baby Asclepius. Therefore, bulls, pigs and rams were usually sacrificed in asklepions, but goats were never among the sacrificial animals.

In the 13th century, images of a staff with a snake and a singing rooster decorated title pages medical essays. During the Renaissance, medicine was often depicted as a woman (presumably Hygieia) crowned with laurels. In one hand she held a staff entwined with a snake, and in the other a rooster.

Crosses and stars

The red cross and blue six-pointed star can be considered a modern addition to the arsenal of medical paraphernalia. I think everyone knows the history of the first symbol, so I’ll just remind you briefly: in 1863, a committee was created in Geneva to reduce the suffering of soldiers during wars; without thinking twice, the participants in the founding conference chose the inverted flag of Switzerland as an emblem. The Red Cross, initially associated only with the ICRC, has taken root and has become perhaps the most common designation for everything medical: it is on specialized medical machines, on doors medical institutions, even on first aid kits in computer games, and a lot more.

However, this is slightly completely wrong from a legal point of view. The Red Cross is an official and protected image that belongs only to the ICRC and is used exclusively in wartime. It can be worn by military medics, military chaplains, used to mark casualty care facilities, including hospital tents, and is used to identify an international or national representative of an organization. That's all. The ICRC, through its national committees, tries to admonish organizations and people who use the Red Cross left and right, sometimes even going to court, for example, Johnson & Johnson once forcibly The trademark in the form of a red cross was taken away.

However, this legal conflict also has reverse side: Protected image - red cross on a white background. If you change the background color or the cross - that's it, take it whoever you want, use it where you want. This is how the green cross of pharmacists, the blue cross of veterinarians, etc. appeared. By and large, even a classic red cross, but on a blue, yellow, purple, or any other background, is already a completely legal logo.

A very short lyrical digression: if it’s completely correct, then the Templars and Hospitallers painted red (although not only red) crosses on their clothes, and it is to the latter that we owe the appearance of hospitals. Initially, they were kind of shelters, hotels or something, but gradually they began to talk about the military (at first), and then about civilian hospitals. Another thing is that the Hospitaller crosses were different from the Swiss one, which the ICRC took for itself, but that’s a completely different story.

During the Russian-Turkish War (1876-1878), another official symbol appeared - the red crescent, an option for Muslim countries. The Israelis tried to promote the red mogendovid, but the ICRC did not like the idea. After much debate, in 2005, at a special conference, the non-religious symbol of the ICRC was adopted by a two-thirds vote - a red crystal, an equilateral rhombus on a white background.

The fact is that by that time a huge mass of applications for international recognition of national and/or religious emblems of red color had accumulated: here is the Siamese red flame, and the Persian red sun, and the red wheel with a swastika, and the red Lebanese cedar, and the red Sudanese rhinoceros , and a red Syrian palm tree and even a red star declared from Zimbabwe. The ICRC considered that such diversity destroys the very idea of ​​a universal single symbol that can be used as a protective symbol in any war. Three are enough, the ICRC said: the cross for Christians, the crescent for Muslims, the rest will be killed by crystal, there is no point in multiplying the essence.

The Emergencies Ministry swallowed the pill, the crosses were removed, and in their place they put a blue star with six rays, and these rays are the main tasks that rescuers and paramedics solve: detection, communication with specialists, response, assistance on the spot, assistance with transportation, delivery in health care facilities. The star was patented in 1977, and the logo of the American Medical Association was taken as the basis for its development. In 1997, the patent protection expired, and today many ambulances around the world carry the Star of Life on their boards - from Peru to Poland and from Sweden to Italy. It is noteworthy that inside the blue star is a regular staff, classic, long, with one snake and without wings.