HOW DID THE FISH BECOME A SYMBOL OF CHRISTIANITY?

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Aside from the cross, the fish is one of the most well-loved symbols of Christianity throughout history. The fish symbol not only reflects the colorful history of our faith, but it also expresses what we believe as Christians. Today, let’s talk about the fish as the symbol of Christian faith.

The Redeemer

The use of the fish symbol can be traced back as early as the second century AD. Some suggest that it originated in Alexandria, where people were fond of symbolism. The most common explanation why early believers chose the fish is because of the hidden message it contained. The symbol is based on the phrase: “Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior.” In Greek, this is written as: Ίησοῦς Χριστός, Θεοῦ Υἱός, Σωτήρ. Taking the first letter of each word, we form the acronym ΙΧΘΥΣ—read today as “ixthus,” “ichtus,” or “ichtys”—which is also the Greek word for “fish.”

For early Christians, this simple word reminded them of who Christ truly is. The meaning of the fish symbol perfectly summarized the identity of the Redeemer.

The Redeemed

Another explanation why the fish became a celebrated symbol is because it also represents the redeemed—the believers themselves. The fish symbolizes those who were caught in the net of the Great Fisher of men, Jesus (see Matt. 4:19). For Tertullian, one of the early church fathers, this symbol pointed to our origin in Christ. He wrote: “We little fishes are born in water after the example of our Fish, Jesus Christ.” The “water” he referred to most likely pointed to water baptism.

Fish appear repeatedly in the Gospel accounts of Jesus (Matt. 14:15–21; 17:27; Luke 5:4–7; John 21:13; etc.). Even His earliest disciples were fishermen (Matt. 4:18–22; Mark 1:16–20; etc.). Because of this familiar connection, early believers easily recognized and adopted the symbol. They even used it as a coded sign known only among them. Some reports say it was drawn in secret meeting places for worship, helping them avoid persecution.

The Redemption

It is also interesting to note that the fish symbol was often found in catacombs—underground burial places of Christians in ancient times. These depictions were usually connected to the story of Jonah. Images of fish carved or drawn on tombs reflected the early Christians’ belief in the afterlife, deliverance from death, and the power of Christ.

We should remember that Jesus Himself used Jonah’s story as a reference to His death (Matt. 12:40). For early believers, displaying the fish symbol was a confession of faith: that Christ holds power over life and death, and that their departed brothers and sisters died with hope. For this reason, for a time, the fish came to symbolize the entire mystery of Christian salvation. Stay Curious.

Sources and Studies:

Ferguson, E. (2005). Development of the Church During the Third Century. 𝘊𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘩 𝘏𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘝𝘰𝘭 𝘐. Zondervan
Schaff, P. (1885). Christian Art. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘊𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘩 𝘝𝘰𝘭 𝘐𝘐. C. Scribner's Sons
𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘧𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘴𝘺𝘮𝘣𝘰𝘭 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯 (𝘪𝘹𝘵𝘩𝘶𝘴 / 𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘩𝘶𝘴)? Got Questions. Retrieved from https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-fish-symbol.html

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