College Emblem
Emblem as serpentine staff, Hamsa, book, two branches with leaves and Sanskrit inscription - 'tamasoma jyotirgamaya' which is part of a prayer for enlightenment from ‘brihat aranyako upanishad’. Meaning of the inscription is ‘lead us from darkness to light’ (Tamassu=darkness; Jyothi=light). The medical emblem of two snakes intertwined around a staff originated from Greek mythology. The staff of Aesculapius (God of Medicine) stands for healing. Ancient Greeks considered the staff as a badge of honor and noblemen carried a staff entwined with garlands or ribbons. The garlands were later interpreted as snakes. Another reasons for adding snake is that serpent represents wisdom. Christ adjured his disciples to be as wise as snakes. The staff of Hermes (messenger of gods) has two snakes entwined around a staff with wings. Aesculapius staff has a single snake and no wings. Hamsa bird represents purity and book stands for knowledge. Tree or branches with leaves represent prosperity.
The emblem was devised by former principal of the college Dr. B. S. Surti.
Read more about this topic: Gandhi Medical College
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