What is the symbol of Pharmacy Profession and what does it mean???

Pharmacy is the science and technique of preparing, dispensing, and reviewing drugs and providing additional clinical services. It is a health profession that links health sciences with pharmaceutical sciences and aims to ensure the safe, effective, and affordable use of drugs. Bowl of Hygieia is one of the symbols of pharmacy, and along with the Rod of Asclepius it is one of the most ancient and important symbols related to profession of pharmacy and medicine. Hygieia was the Greek goddess of Health hygiene, and the daughter of Asclepius. Snakes have been used for worship, magic potions and, medicine, and they have been the symbol of love, health, disease, medicine, pharmacy, immortality, death and even wisdom. In the Sumer civilization (B.C. 2350-2150), designs with 2 snakes appeared. In Greek mythology (B.C. 2000-400), statues of Asclepius (God of Medicine), with "Caduceus" (made of two snakes and a staff), and his daughter Hygeia (God of Health), holding a snake and bowl, were created as symbols for medicine and health, respectively. A kind of Caduceus (1 snake and 1 staff) has been used as a symbol by the World Health Organization (WHO) and a snake and bowl as a symbol of pharmacies in Europe. Snakes have also been worshipped by old Indian people involved in Hinduism since centuries B.C.

Apart from the Bowl of Hygeia a mortar and pestle is also a common symbol used in pharmacy profession. Pharmacists would use the mortar and pestle to crush and mix ingredients to cure diseases. The mortar and pestle are tools of traditional pharmacy, an easily recognizable visual motif.

Knowing the symbols of our own profession not only gives us great pride in the profession but also commit us to maintain and upgrade the standards of the profession.

Do you take pride in your profession??? Please let me know in the comments...

About the Author

Supriya Mandrupkar is a Pharmacist who pursues her career as an Asst. Professor in a reputed academic institute in India. Her passion is to train young minds to explore their full potential and emerge as a professionally competent pharmacists.

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