Quote Originally Posted by Con View Post
I think the four stripes make the cross. If more people want me to remove the staff and replace it with a cross, let me know. How do you find it garish?
The top design is highly ornamental, and the large gold wreath, which has no particular meaning, gives the design a garish look and distracts from the symbolism of the caduceus. The first thing that comes to mind when seeing the wreath is military rank medals. The red stripes, which really don't make a cross, distract too.

In addition, people tend to associate the caduceus with medicine in general, and the red cross with immediate aid, so the red cross is more fitting for a first aid kit.

From any sort of distance, it's impossible to tell what the symbol even is, or that the thing is even a health pack.


A red cross, however, still looks like a red cross.