Caduceus

Caduceus

was the rod or sceptre of Mercury, being a wand with two wings, entwined with two serpents, borne by that deity as the ensign of his quality and office, and given him by Apollo for his seven-stringed harp. Wonderful powers were assigned to this rod by the poets, such as laying men asleep and raising the dead. It was also used by the ancients as a. symbol of peace and concord. See Smith, Diet. of Class. Antiq. s.v.