By Calaraphea - 16/05/2013 15:01 - United Kingdom - Warrington

Today, I got a tattoo of the snake and staff medical symbol on my wrist. Now everyone keeps asking what illness I have; they think it's a medical bracelet substitute. FML
I agree, your life sucks 23 028
You deserved it 40 330

Calaraphea tells us more.

OP here. I didn't expect it to be noted as a medical bracelet substitute. It's very artsy and colourful; it also has a date underneath so I didn't expect people to think it was due to an illness.

Top comments

well since the tattoo signifies so much meaning to you, then you'll hopefully have no regrets. it just seems that misconception of others will live you the rest of your life. just something you gotta deal with, but I'm sure the tattoo was worth it in the end.

Comments

Eh, it does make sense for people to think that's what it is. Technically it was originally a symbol for apotheosis, though.

I tattooed that on my inner wrist along with the script that I should have on a medic alert. I did it because not only do I dislike jewelry but I was sick of paying for and loosing medic alerts. So far, nobody has asked me my illness, just what it symbolizes or the script says. People seemed amazed at my genius to have thought to tattoo it in place. Seemed obvious to me..

You and DocB should talk shop. Maybe you could start a blog too and share your stories!

Yes, I'm aware that it was stolen from Buddhism. It's still a stupid thing to get a tattoo or otherwise carry the symbol. Flipped 45 degrees or not, you're asking for trouble.

PiNkMoOn 9
Ghosto 16

Ugh! I hate people that hate tattoos.

Druu 53

You shouldn't have gotten the tat if you didn't know that it's properly called a "caduceus."

maigan332 14

How do you know they don't know that?

wow all the commenters are dumb too. it is and always has been the medical symbol worn by paramedics.

Why would you get a caduceus if you don't even know the name for the symbol?

OP may have just described it so that FML readers wouldn't have to Google 'caduceus'.

we all know readers hate to google...