1 nihon ishigaku zasshi 1980 jul263257 9 the rod and serpent of asklepios symbol of medicine dentistry and pharmacy jpn article in japanese. The rod of asclepius is an ancient greek symbol associated with medicine consisting of a serpent coiled around a rod in ancient greek religion and mythology asclepius was the god of medicine and healing . Rod of asclepius symbol of medicine the rod of asclepius also known as the staff of asclepius sometimes also spelled asklepios or aesculapius and as the asklepian is a serpent entwined rod wielded by the greek god asclepius a deity associated with healing and medicine. In greek mythology the rod of asclepius also known as the staff of aesculapius and as the asklepian 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 theories have been proposed about the greek origin of the symbol and its implications