medical symbol
Unicode: 2695 FE0F
Description
A white or light gray cross with a serpent (snake) entwined around it. This symbol is often associated with medicine and healthcare.
Group:
Symbols > other-symbol
Status:
fully-qualified
Emotion:
Neutral, informative, or related to health and well-being. Does not typically convey an emotion like happiness or sadness, but rather a concept.
Backstory
The Rod of Asclepius is an ancient Greek symbol associated with medicine and healing, featuring a serpent entwined around a staff. Asclepius was the Greek god of medicine. This specific emoji, 'Staff of Asclepius' or 'Medical Symbol', was introduced in Unicode 4.1 (2005) and is commonly rendered with a variation selector (FE0F) to ensure it appears as an emoji rather than a text character. It is distinct from the caduceus symbol (two serpents on a staff), which is also sometimes incorrectly used as a medical symbol.
Usage Examples
- Indicating a hospital or clinic: 'I'm heading to the doctor's office ⚕️.'
- Referring to medical services: 'Need to get my prescription filled ⚕️.'
- Discussing health-related topics: 'Staying healthy is important ⚕️.'
- Representing a doctor or nurse: 'My friend is a fantastic nurse ⚕️.'
Cultural Differences
Western culture:
Widely recognized as the Rod of Asclepius, a symbol of medicine and healthcare, particularly in professional contexts (e.g., hospitals, ambulances). Less commonly used by the general public in everyday conversation.
East Asian culture:
Similar recognition as a medical symbol, though may be less frequently used in casual digital communication compared to Western contexts, where it might appear more often on medical-related apps or services.