Symbols Part Two: The Caduceus

The Caduceus is a rod or staff with a knobbed top, a pair of sprouted wings and two serpents weaved around the staff. It is often mistaken with the rod of Asclepius, a staff with a single serpent wrapped around it representing Asclepius, Greek god of medicine and healing and son of Apollo. Because of this, the Caduceus is used in the medical and pharmaceutical fields. But it represents Hermes, the Messenger God and a patron of travelers, merchants and thieves.

There are stories behind the Caduceus. The one story is where Hermes stole some of Apollo's sacred cattle. To appease for what he did, Hermes fashioned a lyre. Apollo, in awe of the lyre, traded Hermes his staff. Another is one where Hermes had found two intertwined snakes, battling each other. He took his staff and drove in between the two snakes and brought peace between them.

Through the months in preparation on my tattoo, in which is now the Caduceus on my back, I did research in finding the meaning of this symbol has it has popped up a few times  in meditations, along with the Ankh and the Blood (or Knot) of Isis. During that time I also broke down the Caduceus into the parts that make up it.

The Rod first and foremost is a phallic symbol. Being masculine, it then would represent action and passion. Rods, or wands, in Tarot mean the same thing and are associated with Fire, which is also masculine. In Wicca, wands are used to direct energy.
The Wings are commonly symbolized for spirituality, creativity and thought, all attributes for Air. Air is also masculine and is of action and logic.

The Snake in Christianity is associated with evil and trickery, temptation. It was a Serpent that convinced Eve to eat from the Tree of Knowledge and a snake that tried to tempt Jesus. But symbolism for the serpent has bee around longer than those tales. The serpent is wise and cunning and guards with unwavering attentiveness. The Serpent also holds the key to life and death as it's poison can kill or cure.

Putting this all together, to me, the Caduceus is a symbol of wisdom and knowledge. It a message to me of spiritual and energy healing. It is my Guardian.