Design and Tradition / A short account of the principles and historic development of architecture and the applied arts

by Amor Fenn

The Caduceus

The Caduceus was originally an official wand, and, adorned by the Egyptians with two serpents, became the symbol of eloquence. In Greek mythology wings were added, and it became the attribute of Hermes or Mercury. The tradition being that the god one day came upon two serpents quarrelling, whereon he threw down the staff of authority, round which the serpents twined in peaceful amity.

The symbolism of the caduceus is therefore power, associated with wisdom, the wings meaning rapidity or dispatch, and, as such, is employed as an emblem of commerce.