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 Replies: 10 / Views: 3,642 |
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New Member
United States
23 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
7096 Posts |
The Perth Mint did get it right  I lifted this from Wikipedia The caduceus (☤; pron.: /keˈdjuːsiːes/ or /keˈdjuːʃes/; from Greek κηρύκειον k"rukeion "herald's staff"[2] ) is the staff carried by Hermes in Greek mythology. The same staff was also borne by heralds in general, for example by Iris, the messenger of Hera. It is a short staff entwined by two serpents, sometimes surmounted by wings. In Roman iconography it was often depicted being carried in the left hand of Mercury, the messenger of the gods, guide of the dead and protector of merchants, shepherds, gamblers, liars, and thieves.  |
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New Member
 United States
23 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
7096 Posts |
I think you are refering to Rod of Asclepius.
This is a staff with a single snake on it.
Also lifted from Wikipedia.
In Greek mythology, the Rod of Asclepius (⚕; sometimes also spelled Asklepios or Aesculapius), also known as the asklepian,[1] is a serpent-entwined rod wielded by the Greek god Asclepius, a deity associated with healing and medicine. The symbol has continued to be used in modern times, where it is associated with medicine and health care, yet frequently confused with the staff of the god Hermes, the caduceus
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
674 Posts |
Impressive research Trout. If I learn nothing more today I will be satisfied.! Great design on the coin also.!
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
750 Posts |
Yes indeed Robster, something new. Oh, the intrugue. The Perth Mint is pretty clear what it is using: Quote:The reverse of the coin depicts a representation of the staff or caduceus of the god Mercury, featuring two snakes and wings, adjacent to the Roman gods Mercury and Fortuna, both symbolising success and abundance. The inscriptions SUCCESS and 2013 YEAR OF THE SNAKE also appear in the design with The Perth Mint's traditional ‘P' mintmark Some more interesting info comparing the two can be found here. http://drblayney.com/Asclepius.html |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
7096 Posts |
An interesting article unicorn |
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New Member
United States
23 Posts |
I still say it's a worm. based on NY Times article, the snake was just a myth. Realistic, it is a worm.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
750 Posts |
G'day kwxj61b
Asclepius and his staff has a single worm and no wings.
The Caduceus of Mercury, (which is what the Mint states it is representing here) has two serpents (snakes) and wings.
If the read the link above, you will see that both symbols are used by different medically related bodies.
If you read the last section for each of the symbols it all becomes fairly straight forward.
Edited by The Unicorn
03/15/2013 11:30 pm
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
674 Posts |
After reading all relevant information I conclude the following, eating herbs from a snake's mouth and then sniffing urine is quite un "Australian". And Trout eat worms for breakfast.! And Unicorns are real.!!  |
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Moderator
 Australia
16845 Posts |
The caduceus, as depicted on the coin in the OP, is not traditionally a medical insignia, and therefore has nothing to do with worms on sticks. As stated on the link The Unicorn posted in his first post, the modern trend of (mistakenly) using the caduceus as a medical symbol dates from its adoption as such by a US Army medic in 1902. And while the symbol of the Staff of Asclepius may have indeed originated in the guinea-worm-on-a-stick, ancient Greco-Roman mythology very closely linked snakes - actual snakes - with the worship of Asclepius. Non-venomous sacred snakes, of the species now known as Aesculapian snakes, were encouraged to live in temples of Asclepius and slithered freely amongst the sick and infirm who visited the temple seeking healing. The creatures, on both the Staff of Asclepius and the Caduceus of Hermes, are intended to be snakes. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Replies: 10 / Views: 3,642 |
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Posted 03/15/2013 1:20 pm
