⚕

A serpent twined around a staff. Perhaps representing a guinea worm being wound out of a patient on a stick. Possibly related to the biblical account of the nehushtan.

⚕︎ (English symbol name rod of Asclepius)

1. (medicine) Symbol associated with curative medicine
2. (astronomy, dated) An old symbol for asteroid 10 Hygiea; originally rendered with a star at the top: (🝹)

• This symbol is often confused with Mercury's staff or caduceus, ⟨☤⟩.
• The feminine equivalent, the serpent and bowl of Hygieia (Asclepius's wife) ⟨🕏⟩, is associated with preventative medicine.