golden wand

plural golden wands

1. The caduceus.

   Instead of snake oil, they would favor a more positive reptilian allusion, the caduceus, the golden wand of medicine; also known as the staff of Asclepius, this ancient healing symbol consists of a snake wound around a rod or pole.

   2009, Anthony Scioli, Henry Biller, Hope in the Age of Anxiety, page 310

   3 more examples

   O Mercury, named Cyllenius! the glory of heaven, the eloquent messenger, whose golden wand (caduceus) is tinged with green of serpents twisted round it; may you have ever plenty of amorous thefts, and your Mother's (Maia's) Ides be honoured with sacred leaves, and your grandfather (Atlas) be pressed with a moderate weight on his shoulders (of the heavens), on condition that Norbana with her husband Carus may always celebrate in joy their wedding-day.

   1858, Andrew Amos Martial, Martial and the Moderns, page 223

   Apollo introduced Hermes as his chosen good friend and companion, and, having actually made him swear by the Styx, that he would never steal his lyre or bow, nor attack his sanctuary at Delphi, he presented him with the Caduceus, or golden wand.

   2019, Coby Evans, Mythology

   Circe used her wand for magical purposes, but the passage from the Odyssey also refers to Hermes, dubbed by Homer "god of the golden wand," as wielding his own device, the caduceus, or herald's staff — the emblem of his role as the god of trade, heralds, merchants, commerce, roads, and travelers.

   2021, David Morgan ·, The Thing about Religion, page 104

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see golden, wand.

   The queen seated herself upon the throne, and the pages, advancing towards her, and bending low, as they approached the steps, handed her a golden wand.

   2023, Edmund Leamy, The Golden Spears, page 18

   1 more example

   Holding a golden wand in his hand, he came and stood to my right; and the golden wand pulsed and three times he called my name, saying, " Lucianus, Lucianus, Lucianus! "

   2004, Andrew S. Jacobs, Remains of the Jews, page 183