Figure 33: Mortar 163 and pestle 164 symbols used by modern pharmacies and drug
stores.
AESCULAPIUSistheGreekgodofmedicine,AsclepiusinLatin.Aesculapiusisoftendepictedin
artholdingastaffwithaserpentcoiledaroundit.Theserpent,whichwassacredtohim,symbolized
renewalofyouth,becauseitcastsoffitsskin.ItisalsoakintothecaduceusofDjehuti,whichrelates
to the Serpent Power Energy.
InancientGreekmyth,AesculapiuswasthesonoftheGreekdivinitiesApolloandCoronis.Thecen-
taurbroughthimupandtaughthimtheartofhealing.HisdaughterHygeiapersonifiedhealth,and
hisdaughterPanacea,healing.TwoofhissonsappearinHomer’s‘Iliad’asphysiciansintheGreek
army.Theirsupposeddescendants,calledAsclepiadae,formedalargeorderofpriest-physicians.
The sacred secrets of medicine belonged only to them and were passed on from father to son.
TheAsclepiadaepracticedtheirartinmagnificenttemplesofhealth,calledAsclepieia.Thetemples
wereactuallysanatoriumsequippedwithgymnasiums,baths,andeventheaters.Thepatientwasfirst
puttosleep.Hisdream,interpretedbythepriests,wassupposedtofurnishdirectionsfortreatment.
All cures were recorded as miracles.