- The document discusses medical symbols and their appropriate usage. It describes the Red Cross, Caduceus, and Rod of Asclepius symbols. The Red Cross is protected by law and should only be used by organizations like the Indian Red Cross Society. While the Caduceus is commonly used, it is not the traditional medical symbol and may be inappropriate due to its associations. The Rod of Asclepius, featuring a single snake around a staff, is the proper symbol of medicine dating back to the Greek god Asclepius and remains the dominant medical symbol in the US.