[Recovering_Democrat]

I know the snake symbol on the caduceus...but what are the wings?

[nralife]

I know the snake symbol on the caduceus...but what are the wings?

They appear to be standard fare:

http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=caduceus+&btnG=Search+Images&gbv=2&aq=f&oq=&aqi=

[TomOnTheRun]

I know the snake symbol on the caduceus...but what are the wings?

The wings are for Hermes the healer - from Greek mythology. Hermes was supposed to be very very fast and had winged sandals.

[Belasarius]

I believe the wings represent the god Hermes who was the patron of medicine. He is the guy with the wings on his heels.

[NathanR]

Caducus AKA Rod of Hermes. The wings and serpents come from Hermes AKA Mercury. In America it is often used instead of the Rod of Asclepius which has only one serpent and no wings.

Asclepius was the Greek god of healing.