so I was right, the snake-and-sword thing is called a Cadecus. The American version has 2 snakes, others just have one (something that happened during the 1st World War, another of many useless facts filling my brain, instead of useful knowledge..;)
Dang, there's a web site dictionary of symbols out there. I have it in a database at home, but I'm not there right now. I got the site from Dialyn in the Writer's forum, ifn' I remember correctly. You might be able to Google it.

I wish I'd said that.. The Staircase Wit

anahl nathrak uth vas betude doth yel dyenvey..;)