⚕

Etymology
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.

Symbol

 * 1)  the rod of Asclepius
 * 2)  an old symbol for asteroid 10 Hygiea; originally rendered with a star at the top: [[file:Hygiea symbol (original, fixed width).svg|20px|🝹]] (🝹)

Usage notes
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.