In architecture, the term is given to an ornamental rod with sprouting leaves, or sometimes with a serpent entwined round it (from the Biblical references in Exodus vii. 10 and Numbers xvii. 8).
Based on an article from a well-known encyclopedia published in 1911.
D.H.Lawrence wrote a novel called Aaron's Rod about an amateur flautist who left his wife to pursue his dream of becoming a professional musician.
Aaron's Rod at Project Gutenberg (http://digital.library.upenn.edu/webbin/gutbook/lookup?num=4520)
wikipedia.org dumped 2003-03-17 with terodump