MODERN MEDICAL SYMBOLS
Common Medical Symbols
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The Star of Life
The Star of Life represents emergency medical services such as ambulances. It is often worn by EMT practitioners. NAEMT also uses this symbol on its logo. The 6-pointed star represents the 6 main tasks performed by emergency medical service rescuers. The symbol also contains the Rod of Asclepius in the middle.
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Mortar and Pestle
Internationally recognized symbol representing the profession of pharmacy.
“Rx” symbolized the Latin word for recipe, “recipere," which means "to take."
Source: https://pharmakondotme.wordpress.com/2012/04/30/pharmaceutical-symbols-around-the-world/
Medical Symbols Outside of the United States
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Serpent Around A Palm Tree
Used in pharmaceutics in Portugal and France.
The palm tree represents the vegetable kingdom, while the serpent represents the animal kingdom, and the rocks represent the mineral kingdom.
Source: https://pharmakondotme.wordpress.com/2012/04/30/pharmaceutical-symbols-around-the-world/
The Green Cross
Standard symbol of British pharmaceuticals; now widely recognized in Europe and India
Source: https://pharmakondotme.wordpress.com/2012/04/30/pharmaceutical-symbols-around-the-world/
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The Bowl of Hygieia
Known as a symbol of pharmacy in most Western countries. It also identifies pharmacists and stores that sell medications.
Source: http://www.thewestologist.com/symbols/the-symbols-of-medicine
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To learn more about the Bowl of Hygieia, click on the button below.
Medical Symbols with Double Meanings
The symbols below have two different meanings. On one hand, the visual symbols of the Red Cross, the Red Crescent, the Red Lion with Sun and the Red Crystal serve as protection markings in armed conflicts, a denotation which is derived from and defined in the Geneva Conventions. This is called the protective use of the symbols. On the other hand, these symbols are used as distinctive logos by those organizations which are part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. This is the indicative use of the emblems, a meaning which is defined in the statutes of the International Movement and partly in the third Additional Protocol.
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Red Cross
Original uniform and neutral protection symbol declared at the 1864 Geneva Convention. The design originally came from Dr. Louis Appia, a Swiss surgeon, and Swiss General Henri Dufour, founding members of the International Committee.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emblems_of_the_International_Red_Cross_and_Red_Crescent_Movement
Red Crescent
Proposed after the Ottoman Empire had concern that the Red Cross would alienate Muslim Soldiers. The symbol is an organizational emblem of nearly every national society in countries with majority Muslim populations.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emblems_of_the_International_Red_Cross_and_Red_Crescent_Movement
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Red Crystal
Previously known as Red Lozenge or Red Diamond. Proposed as an additional neutral protection symbol. Equal status of Red Cross or Red Crescent.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emblems_of_the_International_Red_Cross_and_Red_Crescent_Movement
Red Lion with Sun
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emblems_of_the_International_Red_Cross_and_Red_Crescent_Movement
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