Caduceus
Webster's Dictionary [1]
(n.) The official staff or wand of Hermes or Mercury, the messenger of the gods. It was originally said to be a herald's staff of olive wood, but was afterwards fabled to have two serpents coiled about it, and two wings at the top.
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [2]
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.
The Nuttall Encyclopedia [3]
The winged rod of Hermes, entwined with two serpents; originally a simple olive branch; was in the hands of the god possessed of magical virtues; it was the symbol of peace.
