Everybody should recognize these snakes. This is an ancient Greek symbol that thousands of hospitals across the globe use as their logo and beacon of hope. Originally said to be carried by Asclepius, son of Apollo and Greek god of Medicine, it's supposed to make you feel as though you're in the good, caring hands of professionals. "Safe haven, weary spirits. Enter these doors and you shall be healed".
There's just one problem: That's not Asclepius' staff. It's a common mistake that many hospitals make. This is Asclepius' staff:
Big deal, you say. So there's one snake instead of two. Close enough. I see what you're saying there, except that the staff with one snake represents healing and medicine and the other is what Hermes carried while transporting dead souls to Hell.
OOPSY! Don't go to that hospital, they don't pay attention to detail!
"Scapel. Wait, this a toaster. Ah, close enough."
I've been a mythology nerd since I was a little kid. People say there's no use for mythology in real life and that I'm wasting my time reading about it. Not useful?! I can think of one use: Not dying! Holy crap, which one would you rather see while getting gurneyed to your heart transplant?
"Sonny, why are you putting gold coins on my eyes?"
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If there are any mythology dorks that want to explain to me that I'm wrong about this (yes, I know that Hell and Hades are two different places), please send me an email to shutupvirgin@moveoutofyourmomshouse.net. BOOM! Nerd on nerd aggression!)
Ascelpius staff from: http://sunny.moorparkcollege.edu/~dredd/home.html
Hermes staff from: http://suboxonetalkzone.com/2011/01/10/do-you-prescribe-buprenorphine/caduceus/
HI THERE!! I LEARNED ITS THE OTHER WAY AROUND!?
ReplyDeleteTHE 2 SNAKES REPRESENT YOUR DNA STRAIN AND BALANCED OUT HEALTH GOING BACK TEN THOUSANDS YEARS AGO AND THE ONE SNAKE IS A MIS USED SYMBOL WICH MANY DOCTERS AND HOSPITALS USE. AS WE ARE LEARNING THESE DAYS ABOUT THE DANGER OF MODERN DAY MEDICINE PRODUCED TO NOT MAKE YOU BETTER BUT MAKE YOU SICK IN A WAY SO YOU WILL RETURN TO GET MORE. MANY OF THE MEDICINS ARE CHEMICAL STRUCTURES WE CAN FIND IN NATURE BUT THE PHARM.INDUSTRIE PATENT IT BY MAKING A LITTLE TWEEK IN THE CHEM. STRUCTURE SO IT CAN BE SOLD. SO I LEARNED THE ONE SNAKE IS CAUSING INBALANCE AND THE TWO SNAKES REPRESENT YOUR CHAKRA ENERGY SYSTEM BALANCED OUT CONNECTED TO THE HIGHER CONSCIOUSNES REPRESENTED BY THE WINGS, CROWN CHAKRA.
Your words make alot of sense. I've been a Greek nut for a really long time, and it's always fun to learn something new. I honestly was wondering why hospitals were using Hermes' staff for their symbol, but I guess it's cuz they don't really pay attention. :)
ReplyDeleteI luv greek mythology and this is cool new information!
ReplyDelete-anonymous