Emergency Medical Services (EMS) should be distinctly identified for the benefit of EMS clinicians, their patients and the general public. Recognizing the need for a clear symbol to represent this critical public service, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) created the "Star of Life" and holds priority rights to the use of this registered certification mark.
Adapted from the medical identification symbol of the American Medical Association, each bar on the "Star of Life" represents one of six EMS functions:
Detection
Reporting
Response
On-Scene Care
Care in Transit
Transfer to Definitive Care
The serpent and staff in the symbol symbolize the staff of Asclepius, an ancient Greek physician deified as the god of medicine. Overall, the staff represents medicine and healing, with the skin-shedding serpent indicating renewal.
The "Star of Life" has become synonymous with emergency medical care around the globe. This symbol is a means of identification on ambulances, emergency medical equipment, patches or apparel worn by EMS clinicians. It also adorns materials such as books, pamphlets, manuals, reports, and publications that either have a direct EMS application or were generated by an EMS organization. On maps and highway signs, the symbol indicates the location of or access to qualified emergency medical care.
Learn more about how to use the "Star of Life" from the NHTSA "Star of Life" Manual.
If you’re interested in using the Star of Life, please contact the Public Affairs office at nhtsa.ems@dot.gov for more information.
FAQs
The six bars of the Star of Life represent six distinct phases of an EMS response – detection, reporting, response, on scene care, care in transit, and transfer to definitive care (Zatz 3).
What is the Star of Life detection? ›
The Star of Life is a symbol used to identify emergency medical services. It features a blue six-pointed star, outlined by a white border. The middle contains a Rod of Asclepius – an ancient symbol of medicine.
What is the significance of the Star of Life? ›
The "Star of Life" has become synonymous with emergency medical care around the globe. This symbol is a means of identification on ambulances, emergency medical equipment, patches or apparel worn by EMS clinicians.
Why does the Star of Life have a snake? ›
The snake and the staff in the center of the star portray the staff of Asclepius who, according to Greek mythology, was the son of Apollo, the god of light, truth, and prophecy. According to legend, Asclepius learned the art of healing from Cheron, the centaur.
What is the 6 pointed star of life? ›
The Star of Life is a blue, six-pointed star, outlined with a white border which features the Rod of Asclepius in the center. The Star of Life is a certification mark that was issued on February 1, 1977. The logo is used as a stamp of authentication or certification for ambulances, paramedics or other EMS personnel.
What does a star symbolize in life? ›
Stars since ancient times are discribed as forever, hope, destiny, heaven and freedom. They have also for us people great importance and we believe that falling stars make our wishes.
What symbol did the Star of Life replace? ›
Schwartz, Chief of the EMS Branch, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the "Star of Life" was created after the American National Red Cross complained in 1973 that they objected to the common use of an Omaha orange cross on a square background of reflectorized white which clearly imitated the ...
What is the life star? ›
LIFE STAR is a critical care helicopter service which responds to and provides air transport for a variety of patients who require care at a tertiary care facility.
Is the Star of Life blue or red? ›
As you know, the star of life is a blue, six-pointed star. In the center, it features a widely used symbol of medical care, a snake-entwined staff, known as the Rod of Asclepius.
What does the star mean in the Bible? ›
One meaning is wisdom. The wise men or three kings who came to Jesus were led by a star. They were highly intelligent people full of knowledge.
Many Christians believe the star was a miraculous sign. Some theologians claimed that the star fulfilled a prophecy, known as the Star Prophecy. Astronomers have made several attempts to link the star to unusual celestial events, such as a conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn or Jupiter and Venus, a comet, or a supernova.
What star was Jesus born under? ›
The story of the Star of Bethlehem appears only in the Book of Matthew. The gospel tells us that a bright star appeared in the eastern sky when Jesus was born, famously seen by a group of wise men. These biblical “Magi,” sometimes called kings, now adorn nativity scenes around the world.
What is the symbol of being alive? ›
The ankh or key of life is an ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic symbol used to represent the word for "life" and, by extension, as a symbol of life itself. The ankh has a T-shape topped by a droplet-shaped loop.
What is the color code for the Star of Life? ›
Definition of the Star of Life from Wikipedia is as follows: It is a blue, six- point star, outlined with a white border which features the rod of Asclepius in the center. Traditionally used in the U.S. as a stamp of authentication or certification for ambulances, Paramedics and other Medical personal.
What snake represents life? ›
The ouroboros is a symbol of eternity and continual renewal of life.
What does the 6 points on the star mean? ›
The six-pointed symbol is commonly referred to as the Star of David, a reference to the Biblical king and his legendary "shield." (There are more complicated interpretations of the symbol based on the beliefs of Jewish mystics, but you can read more about those here.)
What does 6 stars mean? ›
Six or 6 Star(s) or star(s) can refer to: Six-star rank, an extremely senior rank, rarely held. A grading of a hotel, restaurant, movie, TV, theatre or musical work or performance - see star (classification) Six stars, central to the plot of RG Veda manga series based on Vedic mythology.
What does the 6 point star mean in astrology? ›
Some researchers have theorized that the hexagram represents the astrological chart at the time of David's birth or anointment as king. The hexagram is also known as the "King's Star" in astrological circles.
What is the 6 line star symbol? ›
The unicursal hexagram is a hexagram or six-pointed star that can be traced or drawn unicursally, in one continuous line rather than by two overlaid triangles. The hexagram can also be depicted inside a circle with the points touching it.
