To further complicate matters, is seems clear that the serpent on the pole was worshipped during some periods in ancient Israel, probably in connection with the idea of healing. There is the account in 2 Kings 18:4 of Hezekiah removing the bronze serpent (the Hebrew words for bronze and serpent are very similar) from the temple. The story that is given there says that this is the same serpent Moses made in Numbers 21.

I looked up Asclepius, and some sources suggested that the guinea worm was the origin of his symbol as well.

As is always the case, biblical imagery and Greek imagery have been combined to give us a modern symbol. Thanks for the reminder.

I don’t think you can say “This, of course, is the origin of the caduceus as a sign for the medical profession.” I was taught that symbol included the sacred snakes of Asclepius but having done a little research under “Asclepius” on the net I find it is a bit more complicated than that. The caduceus is connected with Mercury (hence the wings)and in many other countries also symbolizes “commerce.” The healing rod of Asclepius probably originally had one snake but has come to have two, but no wings, and is, according to some, the more proper symbol of the healing professions.