Talk:Staff of Hermes

The Staff (or Karykeion) of Hermes (Greek Mythology) and the Caduceus of Mercury are related. They are symbols of commerce and incantations. Neither have been traditionally aligned with medicine. The Staff of Asclepius with its rough-hewn staff and single snake is traditionally the medical symbol and probably comes from the practice to get rid of worms under the skin. A slit would be cut in front of the worm's path and as it emerged it was wound round a stick until removed. This frequently required service was advertised by a sign bearing the snake and the staff. The caduceus or staff of hermes only became associated with medicine after the Hermetic Order.

Mark Fuller 17:16, 14 October 2006 (UTC)


 * Hi, Mark (nearly 4 years later). I'm working on Guinea worm disease and also interested in the way that a snake or two around a rod came to symbolize medicine (at least in the USA, which is my country). --Uncle Ed (talk) 15:21, 11 May 2010 (UTC)