Atlantis Origins of Civilization

The story of the lost island of Atlantis is recorded by Plato over two thousand years ago. But even in his time it was already an ancient legend going back over nine thousand years. If he is right, the island disappeared about 11-12000 years ago. These are the facts that Plato has to say about Atlantis: When the Greek gods divided the earth among themselves, Poseidon, the god of the ocean and waters received the island called Atlantis and settled it with his children from a human woman. The first son of Poseidon was Atlas who was the first king on the island and after whom the island came to be called Atlantis and the ocean surrounding it Atlantic. At the heart of Atlantis stood the temple of Poseidon. In the middle of the temple stood a pillar of orichalcum with the laws of Poseidon inscribed by the first kings. Beside the text of the law, the pillar also recorded an oath invoking severe curses on the disobedient. The kings of the various regions of the island would gather around this pillar and pledge to obey and uphold the law by performing sacrifices. This idyllically perfect state lasted for many generations until the kings and their people obeyed the laws of Poseidon. They were respectful and affectionate towards the gods and had great spirits in every respect. They possessed virtue and wisdom and valued the true things in life, such as friendship and knowledge. They did not put much weight on gold and property and, although they had wealth and luxury, they did not ...

The Medical Caduceus - Jewelry and Origins of the Symbol

Caduceus jewelry is a popular gift for graduating nurses, physicians and veterinary students but do you know how this symbol came to be used by medical personnel? The Rod of Asclepius is a more appropriate symbol for medicine and medical organisations but the caduceus is also used, although, unlike the Rod, it has no medical significance. In fact, just the opposite as the symbol is associated with Hermes, god of the market place and travel, of the cunning of thieves and liars, who was a patron of commerce and generally associated with mischief as a deified trickster. He was also the conductor of souls to the underworld so the use of his symbol for medicine is particularly inappropriate.

The Rod of Asclepius

The more correct symbol is the Rod of Asclepius which is a walking stick or staff entwined by a serpent. Asclepius is the god of medicine in the Greek mythology and his daughters were Hygieia, Aceso, Aglea, Meditrina, Iaso, and Panacea who symbolise medicine, cleanliness, and healing. Panacea means literally 'all healing' and is a familiar word in modern English. Asclepius was the son of Apollo and Coronis and was raised by a centaur called Chiron after his mother was killed for unfaithfulness. Chiron taught Asclepius the art of medicine.

In Ancient Greece, around 300BC the cult of Asclepius was popular and his healing temples were called Asclepieia. Snakes were used in the healing rituals and non poisonous snakes freely crawled around the temples. The Oath of Hippocrates originally began with the words 'I swear by Apollo the Physician and by Asclepius and by Hygieia and Panacea and by all the gods..."

The Caduceus

The caduceus is usually depicted as a herald's staff with two entwined serpents and very often a pair of wings. Originally the staff was carried by Iris who was the messenger of Hera. Only in later myths was it borne by Hermes. It may be the basis for the astrological symbol for Mercury, who was the Roman equivalent of the Greek Hermes. It is often used as a symbol for medicine especially in the United States. Why is there confusion between the Rod of Asclepius, an appropriate symbol for medicine and the caduceus which is inappropriate, associated as it is with Hermes, patron of thieves and tricksters and conductor of the dead to the underworld?

The Use of the Caduceus by Medical Personnel

It appears that it was used mistakenly instead of the Rod of Asclepius in the nineteenth century. It was first used as a medicine symbol around 1856 in the US on the uniforms of army hospital workers and was worn by medical officers from about 1902. The Surgeon General noticed the error a few years later but did not change it. The name is thought to come from a Periodical of military medicine called La Caducée and it was used by the Navy Hospital Corps and the Army Medical Department after the first world war. Although the American Medical Association used the caduceus for a time it was replaced by more correct symbol for medicine, the Rod of Asclepius, in 1912.

Modern Use of the Caduceus in Jewelry

Nowadays caduceus jewelry is popular especially among nurses and it is available as a charm for bracelets or a pendant or necklace. A medical caduceus is a popular gift for graduating students whether nurses, physicians or veterinary personnel. One theory of why the caduceus, rather than the Rod of Asclepius, is more popular is because it simply looks better!

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