In "Manly's" book, "The Secret Teachings of All Ages," page XXXVII, depicts
Hermes standing on the back of Typhon. "Hermes, as the personification of
Universal Wisdom, is depicted with his foot upon the back of Typhon, the
vanquished dragon of ignorance and perversion. To the Egyptian initiates
Typhon, the devourer of souls, signified the lower world which swallows up
the spiritual nature of the individual who, being imperfect, is forced to
decend from the higher spheres and be reborn into the physical universe. To
be swallowed by Typhon therefore signifies the process of rebirth, from which
man can only release himself by vanquishing his mortal Adversary."
"In one hand Hermes carries the Caduceus...."
MM