When MedicAlert was first founded, the inspiration behind the concept came from the founders’ own daughter, who suffered from a severe anaphylactic shock after being given penicillin by first responders who didn’t know she was allergic to the medication.

Today, MedicAlert serves individuals with allergies and underlying health conditions all over the world, with the classic medical ID jewellery and tags supplemented with additional lifestyle accessories which draw attention to the presence of vital information as required by first responders.

In this blog, we’re looking beyond our own products with a throwback to medical symbols old and new – sharing their origin, what they mean, and how they are used in 2023.

But first, what is the benefit of Medical ID and how is it used?

The benefit of Medical ID

The primary purpose of a medical ID bracelet or item of jewellery is to provide first responders and medical professionals with crucial information about a patient’s underlying condition or allergy. It is particularly important in circumstances where the patient is unable to disclose this information for themselves, with the medical ID jewellery sharing both the key information directly as well as access to a user number for more detailed information.

The main benefit of medical ID is to save time in situations where time is of the essence, ensuring that from the outset a medical professional is able to administer medication and support which will help rather than hinder the patient.

Today, our MedicAlert jewellery displays the famous symbol of the Rod of Asclepius – however, this is not the only medical symbol that is used in medical ID around the world. Let’s take a closer look at both what our chosen symbol means and what alternative symbols there are.

The Rod of Asclepius

Recognised as an international symbol of medical information, the Rod of Asclepius depicts a snake wrapped around a rod and was first used in Ancient Greece around the 8th century BC. The symbol embodies Asclepius the patron saint of medicine, who was believed to be of divine origin and who could resurrect the dead as well as heal those facing certain death.

As the symbol which can be seen across all MedicAlert medical ID jewellery and supplementary accessories, the international status of this symbol as one linked to medicine and to healing enables our ID to be recognised for its benefits around the world.

Red Cross

Arguably one of the most popular and well known symbols of medical information, the Red Cross is not just an international charity but also a hallmark symbol for healing and for helping the wounded in military battle and during war. Today, the Red Cross is somewhat of an international symbol for the armed forces’ medical services – enabling medical professionals within the army to be easily identified on the battlefield.

Bowl with a Snake

Another famous medical symbol, the Bowl with a Snake boasts a number of different stories and referential assumptions – including that the snake is a symbol of wisdom, immortality, and healing, and that the bowl is a vessel within which all this healing power is stored.

Caduceus

Caduceus is a more complex version of the classic Rod symbol, and depicts not one but two snakes crisscrossing themselves around the rod which was owned and used by the Greek messenger of the Gods, Hermes. This symbol has been used in various iterations over the years, with the two snakes said to represent balance and interaction. Where once it was a symbol used to denote commercial or political correspondence, today the symbol is connected to commercial medicine.

Star of Life

The final symbol in our lineup of interesting medical symbols is the Star of Life, which shows a white snowflake shape atop a blue background – complete with the Rod of Asclepius in its centre. This particular symbol is another internationally recognised symbol which can be adjusted to denote different functions of the emergency services – with each point of the snowflake said to represent a new area of medical emergency assistance.

The importance of these medical symbols

The role which these medical symbols plays in our Medical ID jewellery is crucial – not least in drawing attention to the presence of important medical information, but also in the fact that the symbols are recognised on an international scale.

For more information about why we use the Rod of Asclepius symbol across the MedicAlert collection, and to browse our jewellery and lifestyle accessories, head to our website.