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caduceus
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thumb|upright|Modern depiction of the caduceus as the symbol of logistics thumb|upright| carrying a winged caduceus upright in his left hand. A Roman copy after a Greek original of the 5th century BCE (Museo Pio-Clementino, [[Rome)]]
The caduceus is an ancient symbol consisting of a staff with two snakes intertwined around it, originally associated with the Greek god Hermes and later adopted by the Romans. Today it is commonly used as a symbol of logistics and commerce, reflecting its historical connection to trade and communication.
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- Caduceus
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19 sectionsContents
- Classical antiquity
- Mythology
- Iconography
- Origin and comparative mythology
- Ancient Near East
- India
- Early modern use
- Modern use
- Association with printing
- Symbol of commerce
- Confusion with Rod of Asclepius
- Computer coding
- Coats of arms and flags
- See also
- Notes
- References
- Sources
- Further reading
- External links
thumb|upright|Modern depiction of the caduceus as the symbol of logistics thumb|upright| carrying a winged caduceus upright in his left hand. A Roman copy after a Greek original of the 5th century BCE (Museo Pio-Clementino, [[Rome)]]
The caduceus (☤; ; , ) is the staff carried by Hermes in Greek mythology and consequently by Hermes Trismegistus in Greco-Egyptian mythology. The same staff was borne by other heralds like Iris, the messenger of Hera. The short staff is entwined by two serpents, sometimes surmounted by wings. In Roman iconography, it was depicted being carried in the left hand of Mercury, the messenger of the gods.