Whats with the Ichthys?

[Umaro]

For those of you who don't know big words, it's also known as the "Jesus Fish."

I learned this symbol was actually a Pagan symbol long before the early Christians adopted it, and that in its original context it meant fertility, and more specifically, the southern parts of a Celtic Goddess. Why would the Christians adopt this symbol to represent their messiah? I'm assuming it has something to do with the rebirth and all, but I just find it hysterical when I see these people with a vagina symbol on their cars bumper, especially because 90+ percent of them don't even know it.

 

[Jedidah]

Ichthus (ΙΧΘΥΣ, Greek for fish) is an acrostic, which is a word formed from the initial letters of the several words in the name. It compiles to "Jesus Christ God's Son is Saviour" or "Jesus Christ God's Son Saviour", in ancient Greek "Ἰησοῦς Χριστός, Θεοῦ Υἱός, Σωτήρ"

• I is the first letter of the word Jesus in Greek: Ἰησοῦς
• CH are the first letters (in Greek one letter) of the word Christos (Χριστó&#962, Greek for Christ
• TH are the first letters (in Greek one letter) of the word THeou (Θεο&#8166, genetive case of Θεóς, Greek for God
• Y is the first letter for Yios (Υἱό&#962, Greek for son.
• S is the first letter for Soter (Σωτή&#961, Greek for savior.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ichthys

 

[heron]

Symbology differs throughout the world, and is communication within a culture. There's no need to wonder that a simple graphic carries dual meanings.

You have probably seen some ridiculous articles on hidden symbolism of the triangle. The triangle just happens to be a powerful shape, and sometimes logo designers choose it because they can't think of anything else.

So imagine a fish -- a staple food -- of course many cultural groups will use that shape.

There's so much scrutiny these days in reviewing historical accounts for accuracy, and I don't consider that a bad thing. Applying a Celtic symbol to an eastern Mediterranean group during that era needs more connection to be worth challenging.

Some other comparisons -- dragons in US culture make some groups jumpy about evil influence, while other groups appreciate beauty and curiosity for things that might have existed -- while others might use it for a gang symbol -- while others just like it.

Then slide around the globe, and it is celebrated or used to remind people of powers greater than themselves, or honoring experiences of their ancestors, or used to organized seasons and holidays... and on.

 

[heron]

Speaking of symbols, I was watching a tutorial this week, and saw a sample web site for planetary exploration, and the moving graphic rotating and zooming above the photo was the male symbol!

I jumped... it seemed offensive for an educational training video. Then I remembered that there are astrology symbols for the planets... that one was for Mars.

Anyway, you had an interesting point... something for discussion.

 

[Key]

Yes.

I have heard this also. There is no link between the two.

Just like people believe that the Upside Down cross is Satanism.

Here is a Link to explain this in Full Detail.

God Bless

Key

 

[heron]

Interesting article. I know of companies that have sued others for using the same color ink in their logos. They can register their trademarks' inks now to avoid "infringement." Another form of symbolism, claimed to be borrowed or stolen.

 

[heron]

From another fish article --

http://www.seiyaku.com/customs/fish/fish.html

Japan -- Happiness and Freedom
China -- Fearlessness and Spontanaiety
Hindu -- Salvation from the Great Flood



They also mention --

The lowercase Greek character for Alpha (&#945 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"– the beginning and the end.

 

[Adoniram]

It makes perfect sense to me that the early Christians would make use of an identifying symbol that, perhaps while not common, was yet known in the culture, so as not to draw undo attention to themselves or their meeting places. In their minds it may have denoted the fact that they were "fishers of men." (Mt. 4:19)

 

[desert_island_1]

It makes perfect sense to me that the early Christians would make use of an identifying symbol that, perhaps while not common, was yet known in the culture, so as not to draw undo attention to themselves or their meeting places. In their minds it may have denoted the fact that they were "fishers of men." (Mt. 4:19)

This is the explanation that I have always heard.

Kristy