The occult meaning of the caduceus is closely connected with the idea of Hermes Trismegistus - in various interpretations either a deity or the author of a number of philosophical treatises and the founder of Hermeticism. Alchemists, basing the doctrine on knowledge of hermeticism, used caduceus as one of the basic symbols designating hermetic art and secret sciences as a whole. Representatives of occult practices emphasized presence of similar symbols in hieroglyphs of Ancient Egypt, fine arts of Ancient India and Mesopotamia. The caduceus is the oldest symbol borrowed by the Greeks from the Egyptians. It unites four elements: the rod (trunk) corresponds to earth, wings - to air, snakes - to fire and water.
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