Christian fish symbol

The Christian fish symbol is usually just two simple curved lines. Modern looking and sleek, often seen on car bumpers, it gives many people the impression that it's a new symbol. In fact, its history goes back even further than the cross as a symbol used by Christians.

As early as the second century Titus Flavius Clemens (St. Clement of Alexandria), suggested that Christians identify themselves with a seal engraved with a fish or dove (see also Dove Cross). The fish in particular, was considered important enough to be mentioned many times in the Bible. Clemens was a Greek theologian and noted that letters of the Greek word for fish, ΙΧΘΥΣ (pronounced Ichthys), made the following neat little acrostic:

At this time, the cross was not used as a Christian symbol, so the fish gave them something simple and easily recognisable, plus a motto that described their Jesus as Christ, God's Son, and Saviour. (This idea might have also been partly a protest against the Pagan emperors of the time, who named themselves Theou Yios: God's sons).

The lowercase Greek character for Alpha (α) is similar to the fish symbol. This may also have had some influence on the decision for Christians to adopt the symbol, since Jesus calls himself "the Alpha and the Omega"1 – the beginning and the end. (See also Alpha and Omega Cross.)

In the fourth century, the cross became a more popular symbol for Christians, and the symbolism of the fish gradually disappeared.

In recent years, some Christian groups have attempted to give their religion a fresh new look by reviving the fish as an alternative symbol. Some argue that this is a healthy 'downgrading' of the cross, which is simply a symbol of Christ's crucifixion and resurrection. The cross, they say, should not be treated as a god (being mindful not to revere the fish symbol2). Other groups prefer the cross, because the fish symbol doesn't reflect Christ's sacrifice. Fortunately for Christians, they can make their own choices. (See also Jesus Fish Cross.)

However, let's go back to a time even before St. Clement, since Paganism has been around much longer than Christianity.

Neo-pagans are often quick to point out, that the fish is not a Christian owned symbol at all, but was derived from a sexually related image. The fish symbol was often drawn by overlapping two thin crescent moons, signifying a woman's cycle. (See also Lunate Cross.)

In Babylonian mythology, a fish pushed a giant egg out of the river Euphrates, and from this egg emerged the mermaid and fertility goddess of the seas, Atargatis. The son of Atargatis was named Ichthys. There are a few other Pagan goddesses and gods that manifest themselves as dolphin, fish or other sea creature, and most seem to be connected with sexuality. The oval outline of a fish was compared to the shape of the womb, and both 'fish' and 'womb' homophonously shared the ancient Greek word delphos. (See also Dolphin Cross.)

Rainbow trout?

Astrologers are often quick to point out, that the fish is not only a Christian symbol, but indicative of the Age of Pisces, which began at the time of Jesus' birth. This is surely more than a coincidence. Wasn't Jesus' birth signalled by a bright star? This is surely strong evidence of an astrological connection. Wasn't He born in a stable, surrounded by a zodiac-like circle of animals?

Well, Christians are happy to concede that Virgo the Virgin was there, and Scorpio the Scorpion was probably close by, too. But a Leo Lion? Astronomers largely agree that at about the time of Jesus' birth, Jupiter and Saturn were seen in the constellation Pisces, but their proximity was not close enough to be seen as a single3 bright star. In any case, Christians follow the Bible teachings4 and reject astrology, unable to accept that God would use astrology to herald the birth of His Son into the world. (See also It's all in the stars)

Hinduism is another religion that's a few thousand years older than Christianity, and one of their symbols is a fish. One appeared as an avatar (incarnation or physical bodily manifestation) of Vishnu to save mankind from the Great Flood.

The Sanskrit for fish is Matsya and he is usually shown with four arms and a fish tail.

The symbol of the cosmic philosophy or religion of Tao, is yin-yang. This symbol is also popular with New Age followers and shows a couple of fish, Yin and Yang, where Yin's eye is in the Yang fish, and Yang's eye is in the Yin fish.

In Japan, the fish means well-being, happiness and freedom. It is one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols used in Buddhism imported from China. The fish symbolises living in a state of fearlessness, without danger of drowning in the ocean of sufferings, and migrating from place to place freely and spontaneously.

Shachihoko

Gargoyle-like carp, known as shachihoko, often appear on opposite ridges of castle roofs to symbolise diligence and ecstasy. There is also a fertility association since one fish is male and the other female. Another interpretation is that the pair are symbolic of the elongated eyebrows of the Buddha. As tiger-headed sea monsters, they also symbolise water and its defensive capabilities against fire.

Mokugyo

The fish effigy often seen in Japanese temples is the mokugyo ('wooden fish'), fashioned in a roundish shape from a solid block of wood. It is carved with fish-scales and often with a lion/dragon head. Yet despite its peculiar appearance, its deep polish gives a warm consciousness. The mokugyo is hollowed out, so that when the priest strikes this with a leather-padded drumstick, the sound has a strange hypnotic effect on the hearer. This drum is often used to accompany a kyouten (sutra-reading).

Coincidentally, British 'sport' fishermen kill their catch by clubbing the salmon or trout with a drumstick called a 'priest stick'. But in the Buddhist temple, the priest is not depicting killing the mokugyo.

The significance of this fish is its eyes. Because fish live in darker environments, their eyes tend to be relatively large. Also, because their eyes are always surrounded by water, they don't need to moisten them as we do when we blink our eyes, so most fish have no eyelids. These large, constantly open eyes of the mokugyo remind us that God is always watching what we do.

What do you call a fish with no eyes?
A fsh!

sakana

Koi no bori

In early May, tubular koinobori ('climbing carp') streamers made of cloth, paper or plastic, are flown all over Japan to celebrate Boys' Day. They represent the fish's struggle to swim upstream and are flown high to show they succeeded. Japanese pray on that day that their sons will be similarly successful, healthy and strong.

Namazu

Then of course, there's the Japanese namazu (catfish). These creatures are believed to be especially sensitive to an earthquake's precursors and behave in a peculiar way, warning people to take pre-emptive action. There is scant scientific basis for this.

There's also a legend that a giant catfish called Namazu lives in mud beneath the Japanese islands. This catfish likes to thrash about; something that could cause untold calamity for the people living above, since this catfish really is huge. Fortunately, however, Namazu is kept under control by the demigod Kashima. He keeps a huge magical rock in position over the catfish, and as long as Kashima maintains this position, people above ground are safe. However, if Kashima relaxes, then people suffer an earthquake.

The Christian fish symbol is used in Japan but perhaps not as frequently as in the West. The fish symbol is often associated with evangelism, and Christianity has always struggled to find a foothold in Japan (see potted history of Christianity in Japan).

Japan has a justifiable history of fear from Western colonialists using religion to overtake their culture. Evangelical Christians in Japan are often regarded as cultists and rejected. Conversely, where Christians make a modest approach, their doctrine is at least tolerated if not welcomed. Part of this softly-softly approach is reflected in Christian symbolism. The cross is recognised in Japan as Christian, and the fish remains Buddhist. (And in sushi restaurants of course.)

Whether the Christians copied it or developed it independently, is not important. (I mean, it's really not important.)

Here, we can reveal to you that the true and original meaning of the fish symbol has always been... (click)

Christian fish symbol

The Christian fish symbol is usually just two simple curved lines. Modern looking and sleek, often seen on car bumpers, it gives many people the impression that it's a new symbol. In fact, its history goes back even further than the cross as a symbol used by Christians.

As early as the second century Titus Flavius Clemens (St. Clement of Alexandria), suggested that Christians identify themselves with a seal engraved with a fish or dove (see also Dove Cross). The fish in particular, was considered important enough to be mentioned many times in the Bible. Clemens was a Greek theologian and noted that letters of the Greek word for fish, ΙΧΘΥΣ (pronounced Ichthys), made the following neat little acrostic:

At this time, the cross was not used as a Christian symbol, so the fish gave them something simple and easily recognisable, plus a motto that described their Jesus as Christ, God's Son, and Saviour. (This idea might have also been partly a protest against the Pagan emperors of the time, who named themselves Theou Yios: God's sons).

The lowercase Greek character for Alpha (α) is similar to the fish symbol. This may also have had some influence on the decision for Christians to adopt the symbol, since Jesus calls himself "the Alpha and the Omega"1 – the beginning and the end. (See also Alpha and Omega Cross.)

In the fourth century, the cross became a more popular symbol for Christians, and the symbolism of the fish gradually disappeared.

In recent years, some Christian groups have attempted to give their religion a fresh new look by reviving the fish as an alternative symbol. Some argue that this is a healthy 'downgrading' of the cross, which is simply a symbol of Christ's crucifixion and resurrection. The cross, they say, should not be treated as a god (being mindful not to revere the fish symbol2). Other groups prefer the cross, because the fish symbol doesn't reflect Christ's sacrifice. Fortunately for Christians, they can make their own choices. (See also Jesus Fish Cross.)

However, let's go back to a time even before St. Clement, since Paganism has been around much longer than Christianity.

Neo-pagans are often quick to point out, that the fish is not a Christian owned symbol at all, but was derived from a sexually related image. The fish symbol was often drawn by overlapping two thin crescent moons, signifying a woman's cycle. (See also Lunate Cross.)

In Babylonian mythology, a fish pushed a giant egg out of the river Euphrates, and from this egg emerged the mermaid and fertility goddess of the seas, Atargatis. The son of Atargatis was named Ichthys. There are a few other Pagan goddesses and gods that manifest themselves as dolphin, fish or other sea creature, and most seem to be connected with sexuality. The oval outline of a fish was compared to the shape of the womb, and both 'fish' and 'womb' homophonously shared the ancient Greek word delphos. (See also Dolphin Cross.)

Rainbow trout?

Astrologers are often quick to point out, that the fish is not only a Christian symbol, but indicative of the Age of Pisces, which began at the time of Jesus' birth. This is surely more than a coincidence. Wasn't Jesus' birth signalled by a bright star? This is surely strong evidence of an astrological connection. Wasn't He born in a stable, surrounded by a zodiac-like circle of animals?

Well, Christians are happy to concede that Virgo the Virgin was there, and Scorpio the Scorpion was probably close by, too. But a Leo Lion? Astronomers largely agree that at about the time of Jesus' birth, Jupiter and Saturn were seen in the constellation Pisces, but their proximity was not close enough to be seen as a single3 bright star. In any case, Christians follow the Bible teachings4 and reject astrology, unable to accept that God would use astrology to herald the birth of His Son into the world. (See also It's all in the stars)

Hinduism is another religion that's a few thousand years older than Christianity, and one of their symbols is a fish. One appeared as an avatar (incarnation or physical bodily manifestation) of Vishnu to save mankind from the Great Flood.

The Sanskrit for fish is Matsya and he is usually shown with four arms and a fish tail.

The symbol of the cosmic philosophy or religion of Tao, is yin-yang. This symbol is also popular with New Age followers and shows a couple of fish, Yin and Yang, where Yin's eye is in the Yang fish, and Yang's eye is in the Yin fish.

In Japan, the fish means well-being, happiness and freedom. It is one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols used in Buddhism imported from China. The fish symbolises living in a state of fearlessness, without danger of drowning in the ocean of sufferings, and migrating from place to place freely and spontaneously.

Shachihoko

Gargoyle-like carp, known as shachihoko, often appear on opposite ridges of castle roofs to symbolise diligence and ecstasy. There is also a fertility association since one fish is male and the other female. Another interpretation is that the pair are symbolic of the elongated eyebrows of the Buddha. As tiger-headed sea monsters, they also symbolise water and its defensive capabilities against fire.

Mokugyo

The fish effigy often seen in Japanese temples is the mokugyo ('wooden fish'), fashioned in a roundish shape from a solid block of wood. It is carved with fish-scales and often with a lion/dragon head. Yet despite its peculiar appearance, its deep polish gives a warm consciousness. The mokugyo is hollowed out, so that when the priest strikes this with a leather-padded drumstick, the sound has a strange hypnotic effect on the hearer. This drum is often used to accompany a kyouten (sutra-reading).

Coincidentally, British 'sport' fishermen kill their catch by clubbing the salmon or trout with a drumstick called a 'priest stick'. But in the Buddhist temple, the priest is not depicting killing the mokugyo.

The significance of this fish is its eyes. Because fish live in darker environments, their eyes tend to be relatively large. Also, because their eyes are always surrounded by water, they don't need to moisten them as we do when we blink our eyes, so most fish have no eyelids. These large, constantly open eyes of the mokugyo remind us that God is always watching what we do.

What do you call a fish with no eyes?
A fsh!

sakana

Koi no bori

In early May, tubular koinobori ('climbing carp') streamers made of cloth, paper or plastic, are flown all over Japan to celebrate Boys' Day. They represent the fish's struggle to swim upstream and are flown high to show they succeeded. Japanese pray on that day that their sons will be similarly successful, healthy and strong.

Namazu

Then of course, there's the Japanese namazu (catfish). These creatures are believed to be especially sensitive to an earthquake's precursors and behave in a peculiar way, warning people to take pre-emptive action. There is scant scientific basis for this.

There's also a legend that a giant catfish called Namazu lives in mud beneath the Japanese islands. This catfish likes to thrash about; something that could cause untold calamity for the people living above, since this catfish really is huge. Fortunately, however, Namazu is kept under control by the demigod Kashima. He keeps a huge magical rock in position over the catfish, and as long as Kashima maintains this position, people above ground are safe. However, if Kashima relaxes, then people suffer an earthquake.

The Christian fish symbol is used in Japan but perhaps not as frequently as in the West. The fish symbol is often associated with evangelism, and Christianity has always struggled to find a foothold in Japan (see potted history of Christianity in Japan).

Japan has a justifiable history of fear from Western colonialists using religion to overtake their culture. Evangelical Christians in Japan are often regarded as cultists and rejected. Conversely, where Christians make a modest approach, their doctrine is at least tolerated if not welcomed. Part of this softly-softly approach is reflected in Christian symbolism. The cross is recognised in Japan as Christian, and the fish remains Buddhist. (And in sushi restaurants of course.)

Whether the Christians copied it or developed it independently, is not important. (I mean, it's really not important.)

Here, we can reveal to you that the true and original meaning of the fish symbol has always been... (click)