PR Mystery Challenge

5 Comments

1. 1
   cattyfan
   Posted August 13, 2009 at 6:44 pm

   That’s the new “snakes on a cane” promo logo for House.

   Do I win?

2. 2
   themiki
   Posted August 14, 2009 at 6:43 am

   Dammit Cattyfan, “Snakes on a cane” is the very first thing that popped into my head too. I’m a mythology nerd though, and I recognize that little fucker from somewhere. Hang on, must go supplement my knowledge with some Wikipedia.

   Wikipedia says:

   “The caduceus ☤ (pronounced /kəˈdjuːsiÉ™s, -ʃəs/, from Greek κηρύκειον) is typically depicted as a short herald’s staff entwined by two serpents in the form of a double helix, and is sometimes surmounted by wings. This staff was first borne by Iris, the messenger of Hera. It was also called the wand of Hermes when he superseded Iris in much later myths.

   In later Antiquity the caduceus might have provided the basis for the astrological symbol representing the planet Mercury and in Roman iconography was often depicted being carried in the left hand of the Greek god Hermes (Roman god, Mercury), the messenger of the gods, guide of the dead and protector of merchants, shepherds, gamblers, liars and thieves.[1][2]

   The caduceus is sometimes used as a symbol for medicine, especially in North America, through confusion with the traditional medical symbol, the rod of Asclepius, which has only a single snake and no wings.”

   There’s your history lesson for the day, kids. I’m sure it’s a promo for some lame new medical drama and not some awesome retelling of the Greek myths though…

3. 3
   cattyfan
   Posted August 14, 2009 at 6:55 am

   It’s definitely for House on Fox.

   And snakes on a cane is also a form of the Nehushtan. In Judaism that’s a sacred object in the form of a copper snake on a pole. Its origin is a bronze snake used by Moses to cure the Israelites from snake bites (as recorded in the Book of Numbers, chapter 21:4-9)

4. 4
   cattyfan
   Posted August 14, 2009 at 7:02 am

   snakesonacane.com has a photo of the logo (on a T-shirt being warn presumably, by Hugh Laurie…although his face isn’t visible.) The site has a countdown clock leading up to the season 6 premiere.

5. 5
   kessthemess
   Posted August 14, 2009 at 11:18 am

   You are correct cattyfan! Email staff@tvgasm.com and let us know what you would like out the tvgasm store at cafe press!