Christian Fish Symbol

Which way does the fish swim?

The Christian fish symbol (or 'Jesus Fish') is conventionally shown swimming from right to left. and there are a few popular reasons for this:

1. As mentioned on the Fish page, the Greek character for alpha (α) is similar to the fish symbol, as is the Omega (Ω) if rotated 90°.

   

   This may have had some influence on the decision for Christians to adopt the symbol, since Jesus calls himself "the Alpha and the Omega" – the beginning and the end. (See also Alpha and Omega Cross.)

2. When text is added to the symbol, for example 'Jesus' or 'ΙΧΘΥΣ', aesthetically it looks better to have the first letter of in the mouth of the fish rather than its tail.

   
   

   The opposite direction is true for right-to-left writing, such as Arabic or Hebrew.

3. Another possible reason is because the traditional church layout is in the shape of a cross that is orientated toward the east.

   
   

   So a complementary symbol of Jesus facing west implies God's return gaze towards mankind.

4. Perhaps the most common reason is remembering that the love of God overcomes evil. The direction is related to the right side's traditional connection with righteousness. (See also Why is right, right?)

   If the symbol faces the opposite way (left to right) this is not 'wrong' or sacrilegious; it simply symbolises the complementary analogy of Christ carrying us from the left, evil side of life, to righteousness on the right-hand side of God. (Similarly in Western Christianity when signing the cross, the fingers trace a line from the left shoulder to the right shoulder.)

If you stand on the other side of a left-facing fish, it will be facing to your right. The fish hasn't changed; just your perception.

Similarly your perception of Jesus. Whether you believe Jesus is history’s biggest hoax, or that Jesus really existed, was crucified and resurrected, and why, the facts remain the same.