Explore Pharmacy Symbol

Whenever I visit pharmacy I see symbol of Pharmacy. A long rod with snake entwined around it. It appears to me how a snake could represent symbol of medicine. Snake is poisonous creature that can inject a toxic venom in human body which can lead to paralysis or even death. On other hand connotation comes from the word pharmacy is to save human lives. This curiosity leads me to dig in to history of pharmacy symbol. As i foraging it's origin I found that this symbol emerged in 290's B.C.

ASCLEPIUS, a god of healing

 This is the story of Asclepius the son of Apollo and Coronis. In an ancient Greek religion and mythology he was considered as a god of healing and medicine. His father taught him the art of healing through different herbs and plants. The long statue of Asclepius is still present in archaeological museum of Epidaurus (birth place of Asclepius) in Peloponnese peninsula, Greece. The Asclepius  in an ancient time is always depicted as beared middle aged human wearing a long cloak holding long rod with serpent curling around the rod. His statue in museum depicted the same.

SYMBOL OF SNAKE

The rod with snake represent healing as snake has a property to continuously shed his skin and grow new skin which symbolizes healing. It also shows rebirth and fertility. In Greek religion snake is considered sacred and it's venom has a remedial property therefore the Greek people honor Asclepius with the sign of snake, The Great Healer.



The story made me think that many things we are aware of today has a long history and it would be exciting to know the origin. After evolution in medicine the drugs we have today are safer and we no longer require snake's venom to treat our patients. Now  snake may consider as a symbol of danger but in primitive times it was considered as a symbol of patients well being.
One should be amused how the emblems are changed and almost lost their original meaning over the passage of time and this is how history makes itself alive in modern days.