Asclepius or Hepius is a hero and god of medicine in ancient Greek religion and mythology. He is the son of Apollo and Coronis, or Arsinoe, or of Apollo alone. Asclepius represents the healing aspect of the medical arts; his daughters are

1. Hygieia (“Hygiene”, the goddess of cleanliness)
2. Iaso (the goddess of recuperation from illness)
3. Aceso (the goddess of the healing process)
4. Aegle (the goddess of good health)
5. Panacea (the goddess of universal remedy)

He was associated with the Roman/Etruscan god Vediovis and the Egyptian Imhotep. He shared with Apollo the epithet Paean (“the Healer”). In Greek mythology, the Rod of Asclepius, is a serpent -snake- entwined rod wielded by the Greek god Asclepius. The symbol has continued to be used in modern times, where it is associated with medicine and health care, yet frequently confused with the staff of the god Hermes, the caduceus.