Medicine icon snake in bowl. Snake, cup and staff: the origin of medical symbols. What does the cup symbolize?

Medical EMBLEMS(Greek emblema insert, convex decoration) - images symbolizing medicine in general, belonging to the medical profession, various directions and areas of medicine, individual medical specialties.

Over the course of centuries of development, medicine has had many Emblems, some of them have not lost their meaning to the present day, others have become a thing of the past. At the XIII International Congress on the History of Science (Moscow, 1971), a classification of medical emblems was proposed, according to which they are divided into two groups: general and private medical emblems. General medical emblems symbolize medicine in general, private medical emblems designate its individual branches or areas. This classification is conditional since in the history of medicine, individual general emblems over time became private and, conversely, private emblems acquired the meaning of general ones. The same private emblem in different historical periods and in different countries could symbolize different branches and areas of medicine.

Common medical emblems may include various images of a snake, including in combination with a staff, a bowl, a candle, etc., images of a burning torch, a lamp, a heart in the palm. The most common emblems depicting a snake.

In primitive society, when totemism and animalism took shape, reflecting the helplessness of primitive man in front of the outside world, the snake was one of the main totemic animals. Since the advent of the cult of the snake, it has been assigned a dual role - evil and good. On the one hand, the snake was a symbol of cunning and deceit, on the other - immortality, wisdom and knowledge (color fig. 1 and 2). In the cultural monuments of Mesopotamia (III millennium BC), the snake is depicted on various objects associated with the god of fertility and healing Ningishzida (Fig. 1). This is probably one of the first ever depictions of a snake as a medical emblem. As an emblem of medicine, the snake was initially depicted without any attributes (Fig. 4). Later, images of snakes appeared in combination with various objects. So, from about the 8th century BC, one of the symbols of medicine is the staff of the god of healing Asclepius (Aesculapius) - a gnarled stick around which a snake is wrapped head up (Fig. 2, as well as flower, table, art. 170, Fig. 3 ). One of the ancient Greek myths tells. that Asclepius was invited to the palace of Minos, the king of Crete. to resurrect his dead son. On the way, he saw a snake on his staff and killed it, but a second snake appeared with healing herbs in its mouth and resurrected the dead one. Subsequently, Asclepius treated sick people with this herb. The staff of Asclepius should not be confused with the caduceus - an attribute of the god of trade Hermes (Mercury). representing a staff with wings on top, entwined with two snakes (Fig. 5). In the ancient world, this emblem was not medical. Only from the 15th-16th centuries did the caduceus become a symbol of medicine. Since the 19th century, the caduceus has been used as an official medical emblem in a number of countries in America (for example, the USA), Africa and Asia.

The first images of a bowl with a snake date back to 800-600 BC. The snake and the cup were depicted separately and were attributes mainly of the goddesses of health Hygeia (Fig. 3 and 8) and Saluta (color Fig. 6). Images of an amphora or bowl entwined with a snake appeared much later (Fig. 6 and 7, as well as color Fig. 5). In the ancient world, the emblem of medicine was not a poisonous snake, but a harmless snake.

Rice. 10. Ancient Greek coin depicting Asclepius and two centaurs. holding torches.

The emblem of medicine is known in the form of Apollo’s tripod entwined with a snake (Fig. 8). In Europe (France, Belgium, Greece, etc.) since the 18th century, there has been a medical emblem in the form of a mirror entwined with a snake (Fig. 9). The mirror was a symbol of purity and caution - qualities necessary for a doctor.

Rice. 11. Ancient Egyptian image. At the top is Imhotep's ankh (cross-shaped loop) and two snakes.

Along with the emblems of healing, which depicted a snake, others have existed since ancient times. The ancient Egyptian god of medicine Imhotep (who comes in peace) was depicted with a cross-shaped loop in his hands - the so-called. ankom of Imhotep. This symbol meant well-being, life and health (Fig. 11). Later it was known as the “tau cross” (an image of the Greek letter “tau” was used as an amulet). There are medical emblems in the form of a burning torch or lamp (later candles). For many peoples, fire was considered one of the main elements of nature. Fire, according to the teachings of Heraclitus of Ephesus (6-5 centuries BC), was considered in medicine as a last resort, all-healing remedy, which was turned to in case of failure of medical and surgical treatment. On some sculptures and bas-reliefs, the image of Asclepius is combined with the image of a burning torch (Fig. 10). The varying degrees of convergence between the snake-wound staff and the burning torch reflect the tendency for both emblems to merge, especially in Roman images where the snake is wrapped around a burning torch. By the end of the Middle Ages, the ancient torch in images was replaced by a candle due to the fact that the candle was a religious attribute (Fig. 12). The image of a candle was accompanied by the sayings: “Aliis lucens uror” (“By shining for others, I burn”), “Aliis in serviendo ipse consumor” (“By serving others, I destroy myself”), etc. Many doctors and medical societies in the 17th and 18th centuries used emblems , where instead of a snake a candle was depicted, as evidenced, in particular, by works of fine art that have come down to us (Fig. 13). Currently, a burning torch is the emblem of health education (Fig. 14).

In the USSR, as in some other countries, the main state general medical emblem is the image of a bowl entwined with a snake (color Fig. 4). In many foreign countries, the official emblem of medicine is a stylized image of a staff entwined with a snake (Fig. 16).

WHO, at the 1st World Health Assembly in Geneva (1948), approved the international medical emblem, which is the UN emblem (a world map surrounded by a wreath of golden olive branches on a light blue background in combination with a staff entwined with snakes (Fig. 15).

Rice. 14. Commemorative medal of the IV International Conference on Health Education with the image of a burning torch against the backdrop of the globe. Rice. 15. Emblem of the World Health Organization.

In addition to general medical emblems, there are many private emblems denoting certain branches of medicine. During the medieval period, doctors in Europe were divided into two groups: internists (general practitioners) and surgeons. One of the most ancient emblems of therapy is the image of the lily of the valley flower, medicines from which were already widely used in the Middle Ages to treat heart diseases (Fig. 1). Other symbols of therapy were images of a vessel for collecting urine - urinaria (color fig. 7), a hand feeling the pulse, a rooster, etc. The emblem of the Pythagorean doctors of the ancient world - a pentagram (a five-pointed star drawn with intersecting lines) - became an emblem in the Middle Ages surgeons (Fig. 19). Images of various surgical instruments also served as symbols of surgery (Fig. 22). The emblem of pharmacists, who in the Middle Ages in Europe united in their guilds separately from therapists and surgeons, had images of various animals (crocodile, rhinoceros, etc.) and plants (lilies), but most often - an apothecary mortar and pestle. The emblem of pediatricians in a number of countries (Italy, Russia, etc.) has become the image of a “Florentine baby” - a child swaddled to the waist. This image was first executed by Andreadella Robbia (A. della Robbia, 15th century) on faience medallions that decorated the building of an orphanage in Florence (Fig. 20). In Russia, since the 18th century, the emblem of departments involved in the care and treatment of children has been the image of a pelican. According to medieval legend, during a drought and famine, a pelican saved its chicks by tearing its chest and feeding them its blood. The image of a pelican, along with a drop of blood, was used in a number of countries as an emblem of donation (Fig. 23).

The emblem of gerontology is the image of a century-old tree (Fig. 24). It is possible that the prototype of this emblem is the plane tree of Hippocrates - a centuries-old tree growing on the island of Kos, where Hippocrates lived and worked (color book fig. 8). The emblem of orthopedics and traumatology is a broken young tree tied to a post (Fig. 25). The emblem of Soviet healthcare at exhibitions abroad and the emblem of cardiology is the image of a heart in the palm of the hand (Fig. 26). In 1962, WHO proposed a special emblem for the fight against malaria - an image against the background of the globe of a spear entwined with a snake and pointing its tip at a malaria mosquito (color fig. 9). The symbol of the fight against cancer is a crab pierced by an arrow and a sword (color fig. 10).

Figure 19. Publishing sign of the famous 16th century German surgeon I. Soter with a pentagram depicted. Rice. 20.“Infant of Florence” is the emblem of pediatrics (from a bookplate that belonged to a physician).

Rice. 21. Seal of the Kyiv barber shop depicting various instruments. Rice. 22. Medieval seal of the German Society of Surgeons depicting instruments, an owl (symbol of wisdom) and a snake.

A special place among medical emblems is occupied by the symbols of various medical institutions. organizations. Among them, the most widespread is the International Red Cross. In 1864, a convention was signed in Geneva for the amelioration of the conditions of the wounded and sick in armies in the field (see Geneva Conventions). This convention established the distinctive sign of societies for the relief of the wounded and sick: a red cross on a white field. The four parts of the cross symbolize the four virtues: moderation, prudence, justice and courage. The prototype of the sign was the national flag of Switzerland (a white cross on a red field).

This symbol serves as the emblem of the International Red Cross and most national Red Cross societies (color fig. 11). The emblem of similar societies in Muslim countries - Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkey, Iran (since 1980), Arab countries, as well as in the Azerbaijan, Tajik, Turkmen and Uzbek SSR - is a red crescent; in Iran until 1980 - a red lion and sun ( color Fig. 12). The emblem of the all-Union voluntary mass public organization, uniting the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies of the USSR, combines the red cross and the red crescent (see Union of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies of the USSR).

Rice. 26. Badge of the 1st All-Union Congress of Cardiologists with an image of a heart on the palm.

Rice. 27. Foreign emblems of the military medical service.

Anti-tuberculosis organizations took for their distinctive sign images of the Lorraine cross (a cross with two horizontal lines) and a white daisy (Fig. 18). The International League Against Tuberculosis at the international anti-tuberculosis conference in 1902 (Berlin) approved the red cross of Lorraine as the international emblem of the fight against tuberculosis.

A separate group of medical emblems consists of military medical emblems. In most countries of the world, general medical emblems in various modifications are used as insignia of the military medical service (Fig. 27). In some countries, special insignia for the military medical service have been created.

Bibliography: Gribanov E.D. Medicine in numismatics, M., 1962; aka, History of international medical emblems, M., 1976, bibliogr.; Gribanov D. D. and Georgadze V. I. Emblems of medicine, Tbilisi, 1979, bibliogr.; Zabludovsky P.E. Medical emblem, in the book: From the history of medicine.. ed. K. G. Vasilyeva et al., vol. 5, p. 133, Riga, 1963; TarasonovV. M. Symbols of medicine as a reflection of the healing of ancient peoples, M., 1985; Lipp A. u. Gruber O. V. Die Kerze als Symbol dee Arzttums. Lpz., 1959. Bibliogr.; Schouten J. The rod and serpent of Asklepios, Symbol of medicine, Amsterdam a. o., 1967, bibliogr; aka, The pentagram as a medical symbol; an iconotogical study, Nieuwkoop, 1968.

E. D. Gribanov.

It is assumed that snake symbol in medicine appeared in Ancient Babylon about four thousand years ago.

The snake was generally one of the totem animals among ancient people. Characteristic of that time was the endowment of magical properties to animals - totemism. They were worshiped, elevated to cult. The totem snake was assigned a dual role: the role of good and evil. On the one hand, the snake symbolized deceit and cunning, and on the other, immortality, wisdom and knowledge.

The symbol of the snake is present among many peoples and symbolizes goodness, prosperity and health. Snakes were also credited with a magical role in healing wounds and teaching witchcraft.
There are different hypotheses trying to explain the connection of the snake among many peoples with the healing of the sick. According to one of them, people associate incomprehensible phenomena with incomprehensible and mysterious creatures, which were snakes. The causes of illness and death were still unknown.
Snakes were deified and considered immortal, as they were able to shed their skin and be reborn. It was believed that people also had this gift, but cunning snakes stole it.

Crawling creatures appeared in the mythology of the Ancient East, in which they were associated with health and healing. In Africa they were associated with healing and witchcraft. Obviously because the treatment was carried out by sorcerers (the symbol of the sorcerer was a snake).

In European countries, the snake was a symbol of more than just healing. She symbolized knowledge and wisdom. It is quite possible that the first doctors were noted as knowledgeable, “learned” people.

There are quite a lot of hypotheses and assumptions, but there is one fact - the symbol of medicine is a snake.

At first, the snake was depicted without any additional attributes. Later, the emblem in the form of Apollo’s tripod entwined with a snake became known. But still the most famous are three medicine emblems: cup with snake, caduceus and staff of Asclepius.

One of the most recognizable symbols of medicine is the staff of Asclepius. A snake coiled around a gnarled stick.

Asclepius is the god of healing, the son of the god of truth and prophecies Apollo. According to legend, he knew how to resurrect the dead. Zeus, fearing that all people would become immortal, killed him with a lightning strike. According to one legend, Asclepius was invited to the palace of Minos, the king of Crete, whose son had died. Asclepius leaned on his staff on the way, when suddenly a snake wrapped itself around this staff. Frightened, the doctor killed her. The second one immediately climbed onto the staff to resurrect the first one with the help of magic grass. Asclepius found this herb and used medicine to resurrect the son of King Minos.
Therefore, Asclepius is depicted standing in a long cloak, leaning on a staff with a snake. By the way, sometimes they were depicted with two snakes, which was apparently confused with the rod of Hermes.

Rod of Hermes (Romans - Mercury) or caduceus

The word "caduceus" is Greek. Indicates the sign of the messenger's authority. The Caduceus is the magic staff of the god Hermes, the messenger of the Greek gods. Two snakes wrap around him. At the top of the wand is a pair of wings, a symbol of balanced and virtuous behavior. Now it is a symbol of commerce and medicine. However, previously it was a rather diverse symbolic figure (it’s interesting if you know that Hermes, in addition to merchants, also patronized thieves and rogues). For the last four thousand years, the caduceus has been associated with divine powers, sometimes with messengers of the gods. In alchemy it was a symbol of duality and cosmic energy.

The association with medicine arose from the presence of the same snakes, as well as the snake on the staff of Asclepius.

Bowl with snake

“Cunning as a snake and not a fool to drink” -
medical students

The most common medical emblem in Russia. The first images date back to the 8th century BC. At first these were two different symbols: . These were the attributes of the daughter of Aesculapius - the goddess of health Hygeia (the science of hygiene, remember?). Hygeia was depicted with a cup in one hand and a snake in the other. And there was no such symbol before as we are used to seeing now.

Historians believe that the cup with a snake as a symbol was proposed by the famous physician Paracelsus in the 16th century. There are several versions about the true meaning of the symbol. It is possible that the bowl with the snake symbolizes snake venom with its healing properties. But most often the cup is considered as a source of wisdom and intelligence, a source of knowledge for the doctor.

Hygeia was depicted with a snake drinking from a cup

In Russia, a bowl with a snake appeared as the main medical symbol in the 18th century (at first with two snakes). In 1924, a symbol similar to the modern one was the distinctive sign of military medicine. This sign is currently the official emblem of the military medical personnel of the Russian Army.

Symbol of military medics since 2005

Red cross symbol

This is the official emblem of the Red Cross Society. Many associate it with medical activities and perceive it as “everything medical.” The meaning of this symbol is completely different. This is a special symbol. Designed to protect doctors during military operations. Therefore, it is now being removed from pharmacy signs, medical caps, and car first aid kits (I’m not sure if it’s active). This is one of the few symbols that is recognized throughout the world.

Symbols of the Red Cross

The symbol of the red cross and red crescent (and now also the red diamond) is the official emblem of the International Red Cross Movement. The initiator of the creation of a society providing charitable medical care to those wounded during wars was the Swiss Henri Dunant in the 19th century. Essentially, the red cross is an inverted (colors swapped) flag of Switzerland. Although the symbol of the red cross has been known since the times of the Crusades.
In Muslim countries, the red crescent emblem plays the same role; in Israel, the red Star of David is common.

In 2005, the International Committee of the Red Cross adopted another symbol: a red diamond (or crystal). The fact is that the Committee received a large number of applications for recognition of national emblems: the red flame from Thailand, the red cedar from Lebanon, the red palm tree from Syria, even the red rhinoceros from Sudan. A red star was declared for Zimbabwe. They considered that such diversity could destroy the very idea of a universal symbol, so they left these three emblems.

According to the Geneva Convention of 1949, the Red Cross emblem is assigned to humanitarian medical transports, buildings, and missions for the purpose of protection against attack during armed conflict. This symbol is used on buildings, cars, and is applied to uniforms. This emblem has one peculiarity: it cannot be purchased as a trademark or brand.
Now there is confusion in Russia: the red stripe, red cross and telephone number 03 on ambulances are applied according to GOST 1975, but according to the Geneva Convention this is prohibited.

Star of Life

Ambulance emblem. First of all in the USA

An emblem that looks like a blue snowflake. The six-pointed star symbol representing emergency medical care in the United States. In the center of the emblem is the famous staff of Asclepius with a snake. Used on emergency medical vehicles throughout the United States. Until 1973, the ambulance service used an orange cross on a white background (orange is the color of all EMERCOM workers, as it is clearly visible). In 1997, the US patent for this symbol expired. Now it can be seen in other countries (for example Peru, Poland).

If you find a typo in the text, please let me know. Select a piece of text and click Ctrl+Enter.

What living creature is associated with medicine? Of course there is a snake wrapped around the bowl. Meanwhile, the poisonous reptile was not always the only medical emblem. There were and still are many alternative characters.

Great and terrible

Snake form of the ancient Egyptian goddess Isis

Snakes have been worshiped at all times and in all corners of the Earth. In the myths of Babylon and Assyria, these reptiles reigned in prehistoric times. Snake-headed gods were in many pantheons, and the scaly companion was one of the most frequent companions of higher powers.

“There is a great serpent; he is the king of the land of Ethiopia; All the rulers bow to him and bring him a beautiful maiden as a gift. Having decorated her, they bring her before this serpent and leave her alone, and this serpent devours her... The length of this serpent is 170 cubits, and the thickness is 4; his teeth are a cubit long, and his eyes are like a fiery flame, his eyebrows are black like a raven, and his whole appearance is like tin and copper... He has a horn of three cubits. When he moves, the noise can be heard for seven days' journey."

From an Abyssinian legend

Snakes were considered immortal - after all, they are capable of periodically shedding their skin, that is, renewing themselves. Many myths agree that this gift was originally intended for people, but either nosy reptiles stole it, as in Sumerian legends, or man himself abandoned the heavy burden of eternal life in favor of creeping reptiles, as in Greek myth.

In the ancient world, snakes were very closely intertwined with medicine. Thus, it was the snake, according to Greek mythology, that gave Asclepius the idea of the possibility of resurrecting the dead. One day he was invited to the palace of the Cretan ruler Minos to resurrect the deceased prince. On his staff, Asclepius suddenly saw a snake and killed it. Immediately another snake appeared with healing herbs in its mouth and resurrected the dead one. The future god used this herb and resurrected the deceased.

A snake wraps itself around the body of Isis, the patroness of healing in Ancient Egypt, and a cobra is one of the incarnations of the goddess. The same symbol adorned the field first aid kit of a military doctor in the Roman army. On the one hand, people wanted to appease the formidable forces of nature in this way, and on the other hand, using the ominous appearance of the snake, they wanted to scare away diseases.

Fateful Vessel

Another component of the traditional medical emblem - the cup - also has ancient origins. In desert areas, it was extremely important to catch the life-giving moisture sent from heaven, and large metal bowls were used for this. This is exactly what the sick man depicted on the ancient Egyptian stele holds in his hands, turning to the gods for help.

Water was an essential component of any treatment. Healing incantations and spells were often carved or minted directly on the vessels. The expressions “cup of life”, “cup of patience”, “drink the cup to the bottom”, “house full of cup” have been preserved to this day, which show how important these seemingly everyday utensils were for the ancestors.

Different bowls carried different symbolic meanings. For example, two-bottomed, or double, reflects the duality of human nature, positive and negative, heavenly and earthly components, sublime and base aspirations. That is why a cup without a second bottom, a Greek phial without a stand, has taken root in medicine. It is she who is often depicted in the hands of the daughters (and, according to another version, the wives in general) of Asclepius - Hygieia and Panacea.

The bowl is also directly related to snakes: their venom was collected and stored mainly in such vessels. It also mixed theriaki - ancient and medieval universal antidotes. Until the 20th century, copper or brass bowls were used by pharmacists.

One of the rare variants of the emblem is a snake entwined around the handle of a mirror. It seems to protect the surface of human consciousness, which contains within itself the reflections of previous millennia. Apparently, this is why the International Society for the History of Medicine chose such an unusual symbol for itself in 1980.

Symbol, but not the same one

If you look closely at the emblem of the World Health Organization, which was approved at the First Assembly in Geneva in 1948, you will notice that the snake there is not wrapped around a bowl, but a staff. Why did it happen? Where did this attribute even come from?

This is the staff of Asclepius. The same one that killed one snake and onto which the second one climbed, coming to resurrect it. This symbol contains a large number of other meanings. For example, it is most often depicted as a gnarled stick, which signifies a connection with the earth and nature. In addition, the staff is a symbol of travel, and it was during travel that ancient doctors acquired their knowledge and skills. In addition, if the doctor leaned on something while walking, it means that he was wise not only with years, but also with experience. And it was this doctor who was trusted the most.

In the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, the staff was transformed into a doctor's cane, and in some cases into a doctor's sword, which Paracelsus had, for example. Often at the top there was a secret medicine, a unique antidote, or simply vinegar used to prevent infection from the patient. The tradition disappeared only by the middle of the 20th century, and the staff became a symbol of medicine in Europe.

By the way, on the staff of Asclepius there may be not one snake, but two. But the story of the other emblem is much more interesting, when the staff is shorter, there are always two snakes, and there are also wings on top. Caduceus, the staff of heralds, as well as an indispensable instrument of the god Hermes (Mercury), capable of reconciling even the most ardent opponents. The caduceus became a general medical symbol during the Renaissance.

There is a version that this is due to the fact that in the 16th century alchemy began to develop, the patron of which was Hermes. The main goal of alchemical experiments at that time was no longer the search for the philosopher's stone, but the obtaining of medicines. Alchemists usually put a seal with the image of Hermes on vessels with medicinal preparations. As an emblem of doctors, the caduceus has become established, for example, in the United States of America. But there is another version: the caduceus was simply mistaken for another staff of Asclepius, fortunately they are similar. How many erroneous things become entrenched in our lives? Here is the rod of Hermes - from approximately the same opera.

Well, the classic snake with a bowl took root mainly in the territory of the former USSR. In modern Russia, there are some modifications, for example, the current emblem of the Military Medical Academy depicts two snakes entwining a bowl in opposition to each other (see figure above).

And others

Asclepius and the rooster. Statue of Asclepius with a dog lying at his feet in the asklepion

For a long time, the owl, rooster, raven and dog were considered full and equivalent symbols of medicine. All of them were depicted at different times next to Asclepius. The owl and the raven were considered a symbol of wisdom, without which a doctor could not do without. The dog is the personification of loyalty and devotion, the desire to serve and protect. The raven from this company lasted the longest; medieval alchemists marked their medicines with its image.

An interesting interpretation of the role of the rooster: first of all, it was simply sacrificial food, its blood was intended for Asclepius, and its meat, which was attributed healing properties, was intended for the sick. With the advent of Christianity, another interpretation appeared: the crow of a rooster drives away evil spirits and welcomes the onset of morning, when most patients feel better.

“How pleasant is the crowing of a rooster at night. And not only pleasant, but also useful. This cry inspires hope in everyone’s heart; patients feel relief, pain in wounds decreases: with the arrival of light, the heat of the fever subsides"

Ambrose of Milan (III century)

The rooster was often depicted paired with a snake, in which case they personified two key qualities of a doctor: vigilance and caution. Sometimes on ancient bas-reliefs, Asclepius is accompanied by a goat. Her image recalls that, according to Greek mythology, the goat Athena fed milk to the baby Asclepius. Therefore, bulls, pigs and rams were usually sacrificed in asklepions, but goats were never among the sacrificial animals.

In the 13th century, images of a staff with a snake and a crowing rooster adorned the title pages of medical works. During the Renaissance, medicine was often depicted as a woman (presumably Hygieia) crowned with laurels. In one hand she held a staff entwined with a snake, and in the other a rooster.

Crosses and stars

The red cross and blue six-pointed star can be considered a modern addition to the arsenal of medical paraphernalia. I think everyone knows the history of the first symbol, so I’ll just remind you briefly: in 1863, a committee was created in Geneva to reduce the suffering of soldiers during wars; without thinking twice, the participants in the founding conference chose the inverted flag of Switzerland as an emblem. The Red Cross, initially associated only with the ICRC, has caught on and has become perhaps the most common designation for everything medical: it is on specialized medical machines, on the doors of medical institutions, even on first aid kits in computer games, and much more.

However, this is slightly completely wrong from a legal point of view. The Red Cross is an official and protected image that belongs only to the ICRC, and is used exclusively in wartime. It may be worn by military medics, military chaplains, or used to mark casualty care facilities, including hospital tents, or to identify an international or national representative of an organization. That's all. The ICRC, through its national committees, tries to admonish organizations and people who use the red cross left and right, sometimes even going to court, for example, at one time Johnson & Johnson had their trademark in the form of a red cross forcibly taken away.

However, this legal conflict also has a downside: the protected image is a red cross on a white background. If you change the background color or the cross - that's it, take it whoever you want, use it where you want. This is how the green cross of pharmacists, the blue cross of veterinarians, etc. appeared. By and large, even a classic red cross, but on a blue, yellow, purple, or any other background, is already a completely legal logo.

A very short lyrical digression: if it’s completely correct, then the Templars and Hospitallers painted red (although not only red) crosses on their clothes, and it is to the latter that we owe the appearance of hospitals. Initially, they were kind of shelters, hotels or something, but gradually they began to talk about the military (at first), and then about civilian hospitals. Another thing is that the Hospitaller crosses were different from the Swiss one, which the ICRC took for itself, but that’s a completely different story.

During the Russian-Turkish War (1876-1878), another official symbol appeared - the red crescent, an option for Muslim countries. The Israelis tried to promote red mogendoweed, but the ICRC did not like the idea. After much debate, in 2005, at a special conference, the non-religious symbol of the ICRC was adopted by a two-thirds vote - a red crystal, an equilateral rhombus on a white background.

The fact is that by that time a huge mass of applications for international recognition of national and/or religious emblems of red color had accumulated: here is the Siamese red flame, and the Persian red sun, and the red wheel with a swastika, and the red Lebanese cedar, and the red Sudanese rhinoceros , and a red Syrian palm tree and even a red star declared from Zimbabwe. The ICRC considered that such diversity destroys the very idea of a universal single symbol that can be used as a protective symbol in any war. Three are enough, the ICRC said: the cross for Christians, the crescent for Muslims, the rest will be killed by crystal, there is no point in multiplying the essence.

The EMERCOM officers swallowed the pill, took off the crosses, and in their place put a blue star with six rays, and these rays are the main tasks that rescuers and paramedics solve: detection, communication with specialists, response, assistance on site, assistance during transportation, delivery in health care facilities. The star was patented in 1977, and the logo of the American Medical Association was taken as the basis for its development. In 1997, the patent protection expired, and today many ambulances around the world carry the Star of Life on their boards - from Peru to Poland and from Sweden to Italy. It is noteworthy that inside the blue star is a regular staff, classic, long, with one snake and without wings.

Common medical emblems may include various images of a snake, incl. in combination with a staff, a cup, a candle, etc., images of a burning torch, lamp, heart in the palm. The most common emblems depicting a snake.

In the ancient world, medicine was symbolized not by a poisonous snake, but by a harmless snake. Records of ancient medical authors indicate that snakes crawled around the house during “sacred sleep”, often licking sore spots - eyes, wounds. The Romans kept them at baths and swimming pools. It is believed that the Aesculapian snake came to some European countries thanks to the Roman conquerors.

There are different explanations for the fact that many peoples have long associated snakes with healing the sick.

Some researchers believe that illness, and especially death, have always been mysterious and incomprehensible phenomena for people. The causes of illness and death were also unclear. The snake, too, has always remained a mysterious and incomprehensible creature. Perhaps, researchers believe, people associate strange phenomena with strange creatures.

It is assumed that the snake symbol was first used as an emblem of healing around the 2nd millennium BC in Ancient Babylon, where animal worship was maintained during the era of slavery.

On the one hand, the snake was a symbol of cunning and deceit, on the other - immortality, wisdom and knowledge. As an emblem of medicine, the snake was originally depicted without any attributes.

Later, images of snakes appeared in combination with various objects. So, from about the 8th century. BC. one of the symbols of medicine is staff of the god of healing Asclepius (Aesculapius) - a gnarled stick around which a snake is coiled, head up.

One of the ancient Greek myths tells that Asclepius was invited to the palace of Minos, the king of Crete, to resurrect his dead son. On the way, he saw a snake on his staff and killed it, but another snake appeared with healing herbs in its mouth and resurrected the dead one. Subsequently, Asclepius treated sick people with this herb.

This legend explains why in most cases Asclepius is depicted standing, wearing a long cloak, holding a staff entwined with a snake. His figure became the first international emblem of medicine.

Currently, a vertically positioned staff entwined with a snake, depicted against the backdrop of a globe bordered by laurel branches, is emblem of the World Health Organization (WHO) at the United Nations.

This emblem was adopted at the First World Health Assembly in Geneva (1948) and consists of two emblems: the UN emblem (a globe framed by laurel branches) and the emblem of medicine (a staff entwined with a snake). The symbolism of this emblem reflects the dominance of medicine over the healing, life-protecting forces of nature.

The Staff of Asclepius should not be confused with caduceus (“a sign of the authority of the messenger”) - an attribute of the Greek god of trade Hermes (among the Romans Mercury).

It is a symbol of balanced and virtuous behavior, representing a staff with wings on top, entwined with two snakes. In Roman mythology, Mercury used a rod to reconcile two fighting snakes.

A rod entwined with two snakes combines several fundamental symbolic elements: the central rod symbolizes the Tree of Life (meaning the connection between heaven and earth): the double spiral formed by snakes is a symbol of cosmic energy, duality, as well as the unity of opposites; the snakes themselves are the fruitful forces of the earthly and otherworldly worlds. In the ancient world, this emblem was not medical. Only from the 15th–16th centuries. The caduceus became a symbol of medicine. Since the 19th century The caduceus is used as an official medical emblem in a number of countries in America (for example, the USA), Africa and Asia.

The association with medicine was due to the presence of snakes in the caduceus - as in the staff of Aesculapius. The famous psychologist Carl Jung considered the caduceus an emblem of homeopathic medicine - the snake signifies both poison and medicinal potion.

The caduceus began to be used as a sign protecting the secrecy of commercial or political correspondence. Currently it is an emblem of medicine or commerce.

First images bowls with snake date back to 800–600. BC. The snake and the cup were depicted separately and were attributes mainly of the goddess of health Hygieia, who was usually depicted with a snake in one hand and a cup in the other.

Images amphora or bowl entwined with a snake , appeared much later.

There was no exact and legalized symbol of medicine in the form of a snake coiled around a bowl or depicted next to it, either in ancient times or much later.

According to Academician E.N. Pavlovsky, a bowl with a snake as a symbol of medicine appeared only in the 16th century thanks to the famous physician Paracelsus, who first proposed a similar combination instead of the caduceus, traditional at that time. In the ancient world, the emblem of medicine was not a poisonous snake, but a harmless snake.

It is possible that this emblem represents the healing properties of snake venom, so widely used in medicine, and means the vessel where snake venom was stored. The snake symbolizes wisdom, knowledge, immortality and, in general, all good principles.

One of the first Russian medical historians to analyze the content of the symbol of a bowl entwined with a snake was F. R. Borodulin. He put it this way: “We are inclined to regard this emblem as a reminder to the physician of the need to be wise, and to draw wisdom from the cup of knowledge of nature.” That is, in our time, the cup in the medical emblem is defined by him as the cup of the human mind, which embraces the whole world.

In ancient mythology, the gods drank the drink of immortality from a cup. Therefore, the cup in the medical emblem can be interpreted as a symbol of the healing powers of nature in general.

In Russia, this emblem, called the “Hippocratic Cup,” became the main medical symbol in the 18th century.

As a distinction of medical service in the army, a bowl with a snake was introduced back under Peter 1. A snake entwined around the leg of the bowl and bowing its head over the bowl itself, as a symbol of military medicine, was approved in the USSR in 1924. This sign is still preserved in Russia as the official emblem of the military medical personnel of all branches of the military.

The most common is the use of an emblem in the form of a bowl with a snake for pharmaceutical activities.

Known emblem of medicine in the form of Apollo's tripod entwined with a snake.

In Europe (France, Belgium, Greece, etc.) from the 18th century. there was medical emblem in the form of a mirror entwined with a snake . The mirror is a classic symbol of purity and caution - qualities necessary for a doctor, but since the mirror is also a symbol of luxury, to avoid confusion, it began to be depicted as a symbol of caution together with a snake - the most cautious of animals.

Along with the emblems of healing, which depicted a snake, others have existed since ancient times.

The ancient Egyptian god of healing Imhotep (who comes in peace) was depicted with cross-shaped loop in hands - the so-called ankh of Imhotep. This symbol meant well-being, life and health. Later it was known as the “tau cross” (the image of the Greek letter “tau” was used as an amulet).

There are medical emblems in the form burning torch or lamp (later candles).

Fire, according to the teachings of Heraclitus of Ephesus (6th–5th centuries BC), was considered in medicine as a last resort, all-healing remedy, which was turned to in case of failure of medical and surgical treatment. By the end of the Middle Ages, the ancient torch in images was replaced by a candle due to the fact that the candle was a religious attribute. The image of a candle was accompanied by the saying: “By shining for others, I burn,” “By serving others, I destroy myself,” etc.

Currently, a burning torch is the emblem of health education.

Private emblems.

Private emblems designate certain branches of medicine. During the Middle Ages in Europe therapy emblem was an image of a lily of the valley flower, medicines from which were already widely used in the Middle Ages to treat heart disease. Other symbols of therapy were images of a vessel for collecting urine - urinaria, hands feeling the pulse, etc.

Surgery symbols served as images of various surgical instruments.

Cardiology emblem is an image of a heart on the palm. The emblem very accurately reflects its content - caring for the heart.

Pharmacists emblem there were images of various animals (crocodile, rhinoceros, etc.) and plants (lilies), but most often - an apothecary's mortar and pestle.

During the 18th and especially the 19th centuries. The emblem of pharmacy in all European countries was a snake entwining either the cup of Hygieia or the staff of Asclepius. The combination of images of the snake of Asclepius and the cup of Hygieia on the emblem was proposed by the pharmacists of Padua.

Pediatrics emblem in a number of countries (Italy, Russia, England, etc.) the image of the “Florentine baby” appeared.

This image was first painted by Andrea Della Robbia (15th century) on faience medallions that decorated the building of an orphanage in Florence.

In Russia since the 18th century. The emblem of the departments involved in the care and education of children was the image of a pelican. According to medieval legend, during a drought and famine, a pelican saved its chicks by tearing its chest and feeding them its blood.

The image of a pelican, along with a drop of blood, was used in a number of countries as donation emblems.

Emblem of gerontology serves as an image of a century-old tree.

It is possible that the prototype of this emblem is the plane tree of Hippocrates - a centuries-old tree growing on the island of Kos, where Hippocrates lived.

Orthopedics and traumatology emblem- a broken young tree tied to a post.

A special place among medical emblems is occupied by the symbols of various medical organizations.

Red cross and red crescent on a white field are among the few signs that are easily recognized by people all over the world. Originally created to represent the sanitation services of the armed forces and provide protection for the sick and wounded, they gradually evolved into symbols of impartial humanitarian assistance provided to all who are suffering.

These symbols do not mean “everything medical.” These symbols are the official emblems of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

The initiator of the creation of the Movement in the 19th century. became the Swiss Henri Dunant. Impressed by what he saw in one of the battles of the Franco-Austrian War, he published an article in which he asked the question: is it possible to create a voluntary charitable organization that provides assistance to the wounded during wars and armed conflicts?

The Geneva charity, the Geneva Union for the Promotion of Public Welfare, established the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The first meeting of the ICRC took place on February 17, 1863 in Switzerland. In tribute to the country, which historically remained neutral towards the warring parties, and organized the first Geneva International Conference in 1863, the Swiss national flag was adopted as the basis of the emblem with a conversion of the federal colors, that is, a red cross on a white background. The four parts of the cross symbolize the four virtues: moderation, prudence, justice and courage.

During the Eastern Crisis (1875–1878) and the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878), the Ottoman Empire allowed the activities of the Red Cross on its territory, however, obliging the ICRC to change its symbolism to the Red Crescent.

Since then, in most Islamic countries the same role has been played by the red crescent, and in Iran by the red lion and sun.

According to the Geneva Conventions of 1949, the Red Cross emblem is assigned to humanitarian and medical transports, buildings, convoys and missions in order to protect them from attacks by conflicting parties. Only the medical service of the army of a state party to the Geneva Conventions has the right to use it. These emblems are depicted on the roofs and sides of buildings, hoods and doors of military vehicles, tents and other objects where wounded and sick soldiers, military doctors, and injured civilians are located.

You cannot purchase a license to use these emblems even for the most noble purposes. The most common violation in the use of the emblem in peacetime is considered to be imitation, that is, the use of a sign that in shape or color can be associated with a red cross. Misappropriation of the right to use the emblem: we are talking about the use of the emblem by organizations or persons who do not have the right to do so.

Each state party to the Geneva Conventions is obliged to take measures aimed at preventing and suppressing abuse of the use of the emblem. Therefore, the authorities of many countries, including those in the CIS, on the recommendation of the ICRC, adopted laws limiting the use of the official emblem of the ICRC. The official emblem of this organization should be used as a symbol of salvation during hostilities and emergencies, so that the emblem does not become something commonplace. In Belarus and Ukraine, for example, a red cross on a white background can be used on vehicles of the medical service of the armed forces, on vehicles of the medical service of the internal troops, and on transport of the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

Anti-tuberculosis organizations They took the image of a Lorraine cross and a white daisy for their distinctive sign.

International tuberculosis league At the international anti-tuberculosis conference in 1902 (Berlin) she approved the image of the Lorraine cross and white daisy.

In 1962, WHO proposed a special anti-malaria emblem- an image against the background of the globe of a spear entwined with a snake and pointing its tip at a malarial mosquito.

Postage stamp with the emblem of the fight against malaria.

Emblem of the fight against cancer- a crab pierced by an arrow or sword.

Postage stamp (Netherlands) with the emblem of the fight against cancer.

Everyone knows that the symbol of medicine is a bowl with a snake, and people jokingly call it “mother-in-law eating ice cream.” But not everyone knows what this emblem means. What other symbols are there that denote medicine, where did they come from and what is their true meaning? This is exactly what we will talk about in our article.

Where did medical symbols come from?

At different times, different cultures adopted their own symbols and emblems of medicine, which reflected the understanding and perception of death and life, indicated the image of the healer and methods of treatment. Speaking about various medical symbols, it is worth remembering the famous gods - patrons of healing, ancient methods of treatment and other features.

The most basic medicine is snakes. It was their image in a variety of forms that was used to indicate healing. The history of the use of this sign goes back to the ancient civilizations of the East, Greece and Egypt. For example, it is the snake that wraps itself around the body of Isis, the Egyptian patroness of healing. The snake is also accompanied by an inscription on the pillar of Sesostris I in Karnak, which says: “I give life, longevity and health... to the king of lower and upper Egypt.” Interestingly, the modern symbol of medicine also could not do without a snake image. Here the reptile encircles the bowl, and each part of this emblem deserves special attention.

As society developed, with an increase in the level of knowledge about nature and the environment, various phenomena reflecting them changed and were rethought. Today, the interpretation of the symbols of healing that have come down to us is quite diverse. There are about fifty different conventional images meaning medicine, but we will consider only the most common ones.

General and specific emblems of healing

For a comprehensive study of the issue, along with many scientific methods used in the study of medical symbolism, the historical method is also relevant.

The most valuable sources for studying the issue are numismatics and bonistics. The first studies coins, tokens, medals and orders, and the second examines paper banknotes from a historical, economic and artistic perspective. It is on coins and banknotes of different eras that one can find the largest number of medical symbols and emblems of healing, and in some cases this is generally the only source of confirmation of their physical existence.

Specialists who study the emblems and symbols of medicine tend to use a special classification, according to which all existing designations can be divided into private and general. Private ones include:

a drop of blood is a sign of a surgical profile;
image of a lily of the valley;
klistir (enema);
a hand feeling the pulse is the emblem of therapists;
image of a Florentine baby;
pentagrams of surgical instruments, such as a scalpel;
urinary;
mortars with or without pestle - such emblems are used by pharmacists or medical societies;
military medical signs (emblems).

Common medical symbols are much more famous. These include:

snake;
staff of Asclepius (Aesculapius) - a snake wrapped around a stick;
snake around the bowl;
two snakes entwining the rod of Hermes (Mercury);
egg;
a snake entwining the tripod of Apollo;
lamp;
ank Impotech;
a snake coiled around a mirror;
rooster;
one or two snakes twisted around a candle or lamp;
snake entwining the Delphic navel, omphalos;
burning candle or torch;
heart in palms and others.

Thus, we can conclude that general symbols mean healing in general, and private ones are designed to divide medicine into areas.

Why the snake is a symbol of medicine

At the dawn of civilization, in the just emerging primitive society, when the first totems reflected man’s helplessness before nature and the outside world, the snake was one of the main symbols. With the advent of religious cult, snakes were attributed the dual nature of good and evil. On the one hand, they personified deceit and cunning, and on the other, they were immortality.

It’s interesting, but in ancient beliefs the symbol of medicine was a quiet, harmless snake. They were called “Aesculapian snakes.” These reptiles were honorary residents of cult healing centers in Rome and Greece. The snakes moved freely around the house and treated those who were sick - they licked their wounds. The Romans and Greeks loved their snakes very much and kept them in their homes, baths and bathhouses.

Many nations have a good start, bringing prosperity to the home, health and happiness to those living in it. Also, according to legend, snakes heal wounds and can teach the wisdom of healing.

In ancient Eastern mythology, the snake was also associated with people’s health and their treatment, and in African countries it personified healing. Perhaps this is the only case in which it is possible to trace a chain of associations. The fact is that in Africa, only sorcerers were involved in treating people, and they were also poisonous snake charmers. And so a chain of associations appeared: sorcerer - snakes - treatment. Then, however, the sorcerers disappeared somewhere, but snakes and healing remained tightly connected.

In European countries, unlike Africa, the snake was associated not with sorcerers, but with wisdom and knowledge in general. eternal youth - rejuvenation in this case is symbolized by annual molting, skin change. This ability of the snake to literally “lose its temper” is interestingly reflected in Egyptian legends. At midnight, the great sun god Ra, together with his entourage, leaves the luminous boat and enters the body of a huge serpent. In the morning, they all emerge from his interior as children, again sit down in the sacred boat and continue their journey across the sky. This is exactly how, according to the ancient Egyptians, day gives way to night.

Similar myths of rejuvenation and immortality exist in African tales, Sumerian legends and Greek myths. As an ancient symbol of medicine, the snake was depicted without any additions or attributes. And only much later they began to attach a staff, tripod, mirror or the famous cup to it.

What does the cup symbolize?

Since the symbol of medicine is a bowl with a snake, the next thing we will talk about will be that. The most common interpretation of the fact that the bowl became a symbol of something good and saving, that is, medicine, is associated with the perception of fresh water in the arid regions of the globe. Since it rarely rained in these places, water became a gift from heaven. It was possible to preserve the gift of the heavenly gods using hands folded in the shape of a bowl, or stones with indentations, clay or metal utensils. Since entire villages were dying out from drought, prayers for rain began to be accompanied by requests for health and the preservation of life. On ancient Egyptian steles and frescoes, the sick person, turning to the gods with a request for recovery, holds exactly the cup in his hands.

Treatment with water became traditional for the countries of the Ancient East and India. Alchemists always used water or dew drops to obtain medicines. For healing, special cups with spells and symbols engraved on them were used. For example, to treat fear (“the disease of fear”), Muslims used a special “cup of fear” - a copper bowl specially made in Mecca and decorated with sayings from the Holy Koran.

Folk tales have preserved expressions associated with ritual cups to this day: “the cup of suffering”, “let the house become a full cup”, “drink the cup to the dregs”, “the cup of patience” and others. These sayings contain the dual nature of the image - a double-bottomed cup, a creation of heaven and earth. If a person drinks from the cup of earthly creation, his insides turn to earthly passions. Having drunk from the heavenly cup, a person directs his thoughts to heaven, to lofty ideals, and gets rid of earthly sins and passions. It is not without reason that one of them is the communion cup - the cup of deliverance from sins.

Staff

When considering the symbols of medicine, one cannot help but remember the staff - a gnarled pole around which a snake is usually coiled. This item represents a traveling stick, signifying the journey of healers. The staff not only helps along the way, but also increases the level of confidence. Indian medical treatises strongly recommended that the doctor carry a staff with him, since patients subconsciously trust more experienced, middle-aged people who have a connection with the earth.

It was this item that became the prototype of the doctor’s cane, especially popular in England in the Middle Ages. Sometimes, as a medical symbol, the staff was depicted with branches and foliage. This symbolized the beginning of a new life, rejuvenation.

In some emblems there is not a staff, but a rod of Mercury, or Hermes. This god was considered a mediator between the kingdoms of the dead and the living, between people and gods. According to legend, Hermes received his rod as a gift from Apollo. This was a reward for the fact that he invented such a musical instrument as the lyre and played it masterfully. The Greeks called this magic cane the kirekiyon, and the Romans called it the caduceus.

Pentagram and tripod

Symbols of medicine such as the pentagram and tripod of Apollo are also quite popular.

The first of them is a five-pointed star drawn with a single line. This sign has its roots in Mesopotamia and Egypt. It is believed that the five planets known at that time were connected in this way: Mars, Venus, Saturn, Mercury and Jupiter. This symbol was most often used as a talisman and amulet against spirits and creatures that cause misfortune and illness. A little later, during the widespread spread of Christianity, the pentagram became a sign of heretics and was replaced by the image of a hand with outstretched fingers.

The second sign is the tripod of Apollo. According to legend, at the foot of Mount Parnassus, Apollo killed Python, an evil monster guarding the valley. The Delphic Temple, a sanctuary of Apollo, was built on the site of the battle. One of the walls of the temple was a rock, from the crevice of which a heady aroma flowed. Nearby, on a golden tripod, sat Pythia, a priestess who communicated with the gods and thus learned their will. And since Apollo was the patron of medicine and healing, the tripod from his sanctuary became a special symbol that unites the three principles of medicine:

own observation;
analysis of other people's observations;
conclusion by analogy.

Staff of Asclepius

So, what does the medicine symbol mean, depicting a stick with a snake crawling up it? To begin with, it is worth noting that this sign has been most recognizable since about the 8th century BC. The history of this sign goes back to Greek myths. According to legend, Asclepius (the Romans called him Aesculapius) learned his craft, the art of healing, from a centaur named Chiron. He successfully applied the knowledge he gained in practice and became a skilled healer. He treated people so well that Zeus was afraid that thanks to his efforts, people would become immortal. So he killed Asclepius with a lightning strike.

There is a legend according to which one day Asclepius was invited to the court to resurrect his dead son. On the way to the palace, a snake suddenly climbed onto the stick on which Asclepius leaned while walking. The healer got scared and killed her. As soon as he took the life of the reptile, another snake appeared out of nowhere, carrying grass in its mouth. With the help of a bunch of grass, the snake resurrected its friend, and they crawled away together. Asclepius correctly understood the sign of the gods, he found the grass that the snake was holding in the mouth, and was able to resurrect the son of King Minos.

Since then, the image of the staff of Asclepius began to be used as a symbol of healing, and the doctor himself began to be revered as the god of healing.

Bowl with snake

However, a much more common symbol of medicine is a snake wrapped around a bowl. The first images of this symbol date back to 600-800. BC. It is noteworthy that at first the parts of the image existed separately and were attributes of Hygeia, the daughter of Asclepius - she held a snake in one hand and a cup in the other. And only much later the images were combined into a single whole.

The true meaning of this sign is highly controversial. Some people interpret it one way, and others another. Most often, the cup is associated with a container for storing a well-known healing substance, and the snake symbolizes wisdom. However, there is another interpretation. According to him, the emblem reminds the doctor of the need to be wise, and to draw wisdom from the cup of world knowledge, the human mind, which embraces the whole world.

The funniest interpretation of the symbol came from medical students. In their opinion, the symbol means that the doctor is “cunning as a snake and loves to drink.”

Today, such an emblem is most often used to designate pharmaceutical activities.

Caduceus

The meaning of the medicine symbol, depicting a rod with wings around which two snakes curl, is also not very clear.

The fact is that initially the caduceus was a symbol of secrecy, a sign that protected commercial or political correspondence. And only much later it became a symbol of medicine.

For ease of perception, it is worth dividing the emblem into several parts:

the rod symbolizes the Tree of Life, the connection between heaven and earth;
a double spiral formed by the interweaving of serpentine bodies is a symbol of cosmic energy, the unity of opposites, the duality of phenomena;
The reptiles themselves are the active forces of the earthly and otherworldly worlds.

Most likely, the transformation of the symbol from a commercial (political) to a medical one occurred due to the presence of snakes, which provide both a medicinal drug and poison.

Red cross and crescent

If we consider the symbols of medicine, popular all over the world, we should not forget about the red cross and crescent. Oddly enough, such a symbol does not mean “something medical” at all, as is commonly believed in our country. It is designed to protect doctors, wounded people, hospitals and clinics during military conflicts. Therefore, it is unacceptable to use such a symbol on pharmacies, car first aid kits, gowns and caps of medical staff and in other places. As planned, it should have an “emergency” meaning and be used only in extreme cases.

Similar meanings:

Red Cross;
red crescent (in Islamic countries);
sun and red lion (in Iran);
red star of David (in Israel).

At the present time, the Red Cross Movement is busy developing new symbols, devoid of national and religious characteristics.

Star of Life

The symbol of medicine, the photo of which is presented below, is not very popular in Russia. This is the “Star of Life” - a symbol of medicine, born in the USA. Each of the rays of the snowflake symbolizes a specific function of emergency medical care:

detection;
notice;
response;
assistance at the scene of the incident;
assistance with transportation;
transportation for further assistance.

Conclusion

When studying medicine, it is impossible not to know or not understand the symbols that mean healing. Interest in the past, as we know, gives rise to a bright future. The more clearly we can imagine the content and meaning of the cultural baton passed on to us by past generations, the more valuable and significant the present becomes for us. After all, our ancestors put a special meaning into each symbol, designed to convey its value to future generations.