Christian fish symbol
Photo © bikercrosses.comThe fish symbol incorporated into a Cross Pattee on a mousepad
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 (Paedagogus, III, xi. See also Dove Cross.) Even before that time, inscriptions on monuments2 suggest that the fish symbol was familiar to Christians.
Back in the earliest days of the Church, Christians needed no reminder of how Jesus died; they saw it in its most hideous form all too frequently. But the symbol of the cross was too great to ignore. The shape and form of the cross made no difference to them, as shown by the Chi Rho, of which the Chi (X) formed the cross seen by Constantine in the sky. Also within the tail of the fish was seen embedded the Chi (X), the initial monogram of 'Christ', as well as the Sign of the Cross.
It's reasonable to assume that early Christians made this sign of the fish to identify themselves to one another
It is understood that after Christ's crucifixion when Christians were persecuted, the fish symbol was used as an identifying symbol that fellow Christians would recognise, but non-Christians would not. Therefore Christians could connect with each other through this secret code without revealing themselves to the oppressors.
As in the miracle of the Loaves and Fishes, the fish is a symbol of baptism and as such, an appropriate symbol for Christians to adopt. Fish swim in deep water yet do not drown; indeed, they need to be immersed in water in order to survive. Similarly for us to survive spritually, we need to be baptised by immersion into the waters of Christ's love.
So the fish symbol occurred very early in Christian history. Quoting Carl G, Liungman in his magisterial volume 'Dictionary of Symbols' (1991, W. W. Norton & Company, New York,):
The Pagan fish symbol
(I could not fine a picture of the pagan fish symbol)
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 New Age fish symbol
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.
The Indian Hindu fish symbol
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 Chinese Taoist fish symbol
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.
The Buddhist fish symbol
(I dont know why two of these showed up and dont know how to get rid of one, so oh well)Mokugyo
In Japan and elsewhere, 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. The fish symbol is considered Buddhist and consequently the 'Jesus Fish' is a rare sight in these countries.
1 comment:
Debbie...I am loving these symbol studies! They are interesting. I think I will share them with the kids! keep 'em coming!
Post a Comment