href=”http://www.curransheraldry.com/irish-heraldry-coat-of-arms.php”>Coat Of Arms.
The Serpent of good health has its roots in ancient Egypt, when every Pharaoh carried the image of the spitting cobra on his head, to ward off malignant spirits that could bring ill health.
In ancient Greece the serpent was similarly regarded. And today, whenever a medical physician is newly qualified, they must sign a piece of paper called the Hippocratic Oath; — and on it is a sword entwined with a serpent-the Caduceus.
Today whenever a carved image of the Roman God of Health is found, it is always depicted with a serpent entwined around a sword.
In Druidic Ireland the serpent was likewise regarded as the protector of good health, and it features strongly in a great number of family Crests. When St Patrick said he would drive the serpents out of Ireland, he was stating his intention to supplant the Druidic tradition with the Christian tradition. Everywhere one goes in Ireland today they can see links to our ancient past, like in the games we play, and the mysterious carved stones that dot the countryside, and our county flags, and especially in our colourful Family Crests.
Today Heraldry can be seen in civic flags, and the regimental plates on every army vehicle, as well on government buildings and institutions. It can also be seen in the multi-coloured jerseys of players on sports field, and at a horse race, where jockeys wear coloured and patterned vests so they can be identified from a great distance, as was their original purpose. When most people think of Heraldry they think of Richard the Lion Heart riding into battle dressed in full Heraldic regalia, with a richly decorated shield and sur-coat. These things did