Common Symbols of Nurses (& Where They Came From)

Plus, how images of nursing symbols are used today

Co-authored by Julia Eze, NP-C and Maryana Lucia Vestic, MFA, M.Phil.

Last Updated: January 28, 2026 Fact Checked

Nursing is an ancient, honorable profession that has been associated with many different symbols over the years, including the Staff of Asclepius and the red cross. Keep reading to learn more about what these symbols mean, where they come from, and how they’re used in modern nursing.

Symbols of Nursing

Download Image

An illustration of common nursing symbols

Early nursing symbols include the staff of Asclepius, a single serpent wrapped around a staff, and the bowl of Hygeia, a snake coiled around a chalice. Other famous images of nursing symbols include the lamp of learning, made famous by Florence Nightingale, and the red cross, a symbol for humanitarian aid.

1

Staff of Asclepius

Download Article

The staff of Asclepius symbolizes medicine and healing. It consists of a single serpent wrapped around a staff. It originated in ancient Greece as a symbol of Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine. The snakes are a symbol of healing, rejuvenation, and renewal, while the staff stands for authority and growth.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Origin: Greek, Roman
- Modern uses: It’s the symbol of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Medical Association (AMA).
- The staff of Asclepius is often mistaken for another snake symbol, the caduceus, which is a staff with 2 snakes and wings. The caduceus symbol is associated with commerce, negotiation, and Hermes, the messenger god.^{[2]
  X
  Research source}

2

Lamp of Learning

Download Article

The lamp of learning stands for knowledge and compassion. It dates back to Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. She was called the "Lady with the Lamp" because of how she used a lamp to tend to soldiers at night. The lamp became a nursing symbol associated with learning, dedication, and sharing wisdom.
- Origin: Victorian era
- Modern uses: The lamp of learning symbol sometimes appears in ceremonies for nursing students to reflect their dedication.

3

Red Cross

Download Article

The red cross symbolizes humanitarian aid. This international symbol features a red cross against a white background; it signifies aid, neutrality, and protection. The red cross was originally established to protect medical personnel during armed conflicts. It became associated with Red Cross nurses who wore the red cross emblem on their uniforms so they could be easily identified.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Origin: First Geneva Convention (1864)
- Modern uses: Worn by workers for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC); also appears on first aid kits.

4

Star of Life

Download Article

The Star of Life represents medicine and the healing arts. It’s a 6-pointed star that contains the Rod of Asclepius (a snake-entwined staff) inside. It was created by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 1973. The 6 points of the star stand for the stages of EMS response: detection, reporting, response, on-scene care, care in transit, and transfer to definitive care.
- Origin: Modern (U.S.)
- Modern uses: Used as the symbol for Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

5

Nurse Cap & Uniform

Download Article

A nurse's uniform signifies cleanliness, dedication, and professionalism. The traditional nurse’s cap and uniform included a starched white dress with white stockings and white shoes, while the cap was a stiff white head covering with folded plates. It’s a symbol of the history of nursing that originated with traditional 19th-century nursing attire. Most nurses today don’t wear the traditional cap and uniform, but instead dress in scrubs.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Origin: 1850s (Florence Nightingale)
- Modern uses: It mostly shows up in nursing ceremonies or appears on nurses’ pins and other gifts for nurses.
- A medical bag is also sometimes associated with doctors and nurses.

6

Bowl of Hygeia

Download Article

The Bowl of Hygeia symbolizes healing, medicine, and health. It’s depicted as a snake coiled around a bowl or chalice, and is linked to Hygeia, the Greek goddess of health. It’s mostly used as a symbol for the pharmacy, but is connected to most, if not all, healthcare professions, including nursing.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Origin: Greek, Roman
- Modern uses: Pharmacy symbol used as a logo for the Canadian Pharmacists Association, and as a legal symbol in France.

7

Stethoscope

Download Article

The stethoscope represents listening, care, and the medical profession. It’s a medical instrument used to listen to internal body sounds with a flexible tube, chestpiece, and earpieces. It often appears with a heart as a symbol of compassionate care, or with a nurse’s cap that focuses more on nursing.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Origin: France (1816)
- Modern uses: The stethoscope emoji (🩺) is a popular way to talk about health, medicine, or medical issues online.

8

White Heart

Download Article

The white heart is the official universal symbol for nursing. It stands for caring, knowledge, and humanity, as well as compassion. It was established by the International Council of Nurses to symbolize the core values within nursing, including purity, kindness, and inclusivity. A red version of the heart, usually appearing alongside a medical cross or stethoscope, is a general symbol for healthcare.
- Origin: Modern
- Modern uses: A symbol of the International Council of Nurses' recognition of nursing's core values.

9

Syringe

Download Article

The syringe represents vaccination, injection, and medicine. A cylindrical syringe with a needle sometimes appears alongside other nursing symbols, like the lamp of learning. It’s also associated with care, healing, and administering treatments to patients.
- Origin: European (mid-19th century)
- Modern uses: It’s commonly associated with the COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccinations and blood draws.

10

Hourglass

Download Article

The hourglass signifies time management in nursing and medicine. It can also be a symbol of urgency, the passage of time, and the nature of life and death. It sometimes appears alongside syringes, clocks, or other medical equipment to highlight the focus on timely care for patients in treatment.
- Origin: Roman
- Modern uses: Found on red biohazard bags and containers for needles to signal biohazardous material that needs to be disposed of in a timely manner.

11

Biohazard Symbol

Download Article

The biohazard symbol indicates biological materials. It’s made up of a 3-pronged, circular symbol (☣) often used by nurses in healthcare when dealing with contaminated sharps (needles/syringes). The symbol usually comes with a warning of bloodborne pathogens and often appears on waste containers and PPE that nurses deal with daily.
- Origin: Modern (1966)
- Modern uses: Used as a lab safety symbol in hospitals, labs, and clinics for blood, tissues, sharps, contaminated laundry, and waste containers (through OSHA and ISO standards).

12

Clipboard

Download Article

A clipboard symbolizes charting, patient records, and organization. Within nursing, a clipboard is associated with organization and care for patients. It sometimes appears in pins or other emblems worn by nurses to reflect how well they document their patients’ care.
- Origin: 19th century
- Modern uses: Personalized for nurses to organize patient care.

13

Peony Flower

Download Article

The peony represents healing, compassion, love, and good fortune. It’s a flower with fluffy, layered petals that are usually pink, yellow, or white. The peony dates back to Paeon (Paieon), a student of Asclepius, the god of healing in ancient Greece, and was used to treat ailments. It’s also associated with love, compassion, and gratitude found within the nursing profession, as well as dignity and grace.
- Origin: Greek
- Modern uses: Peonies are popular as badges, stationery, and other gifts for nurses.