Ichthys Fish Meaning

Have you ever wondered what the term "ichtus", symbolized by a fish, really means? It is one of the most common symbols in the Christian religion.

From the first century AD, it appears in many monuments related to Christianity. Today, we can see it in churches, fixed to a wall in believers' homes, etc.

In this article you will find:

• The definition of ichtus

• The origin of the Christian fish

• The meaning of the word ichtus

• The importance of ichtus in Christianity

Ichthus Definition

Sometimes called ichthys, ichtus comes from the Greek ikhthýs (ΙΧΘΥΣ or ΙΧΘΥC) which, unsurprisingly, means fish . It is a symbol consisting of two crossed arcs whose ends on the right side extend beyond the meeting point to form a fish design. As a Christian, you are probably used to seeing this symbol, but probably without really knowing its essence.

Of course, the term ichtus means fish but in reality, it is an acronym, or rather an acrostic. The word ΙΧΘΥΣ is therefore formed from the initial of 5 other words:

• I for Ἰησοῦς / Iêsoûs: Jesus

• Χ for Χριστoς / Khristòs: Christ

• Θ for Θεοῦ / Theoû: of God

• Υ for Υἱoς / Huiòs: Son

• Σ for Σωτήρ / Sôter: Savior

So the true meaning of the word is Jesus Christ, Son of God, the Savior . But once the acrostic was formed, the word fish appeared, hence the creation of the Christian fish symbol. This explanation was provided by Augustine of Hippo in his famous 22-book work Civitate Dei (The City of God). Emperor Constantine ^I also speaks of it in his manifesto to Christians after his conversion to Christianity.

The Dictionary of Christian Archaeology and Liturgy also explains that the sacred formula "Jesus Christ, the Son of God, our Savior" was used by believers long before the conception of the fish symbol. However, some scholars are still trying to find real evidence to know if the inscription was actually invented before the image or vice versa.

The origin of the Christian fish

As already mentioned above, the Christian fish appeared during the first century after Jesus Christ. The first Christians adopted this sign as a secret symbol . It was therefore a sign that allowed them to recognize each other without being noticed by the Roman authorities who forbade the practice of Christianity.

In a way, the fish containing the term ΙΧΘΥΣ or ΙΧΘΥC was used as a symbol of resistance against the Roman Empire . The latter persecuted the Christians of the time, and the ichtus was a means, a sort of secret code, allowing believing followers of Christ to recognize each other.

When a Christian crossed paths with a stranger, he would draw an arc on the ground, and if the stranger completed the picture by drawing the other arc, they knew they had found each other. In fact, Christians today continue to do almost the same thing. They recognize each other by the Christian fish printed on a business card or stuck to the bumper of a car, for example.

The followers of the Lord of that time inscribed the Christian fish with the word ΙΧΘΥΣ or ΙΧΘΥC almost everywhere: on mosaics, tombs, epitaphs, rings, paintings, cups, seals, etc. Sometimes they even called Christ by Ichtus to avoid the emperors unmasking them, the cult of Christ having been proscribed. The persecution continued until the ^4th century.

The meaning of ichtus today

The time when the Christian fish was used as a secret code is long gone. Today, Christians are proud to display this sacred sign. Just like the dove that symbolizes the Holy Spirit, the ichtus is one of the most used symbols by believers to testify their faith in Jesus Christ and God.

Furthermore, the ichtus symbol or ΙΧΘΥC has always been associated with the sacramental rites of the church. Some historians even believe that the Christ-fish concept originated from the baptismal rite by immersion that was widely practiced in early Christianity. Thus, many parents today have the fish symbol engraved on their child's medallion on the occasion of his or her baptism.

Very often, fish is presented with bread and wine, which also hold an important place in the Christian religion. This is to tell you that the ichtus has a Eucharistic value . Saint Augustine mentioned it well in his literary work of the ^5th century, the Treatise on the Gospel of John . In case you did not know, the Christian fish is presented as the food of the Eucharistic banquet on an inscription that is in the Vatican Museum.

Due to this Eucharistic value, pendants, rings and earrings in the shape of Christian fish are often worn during the celebration of the Eucharist and the first communion. Even in everyday life, you can wear accessories representing the ichtus to symbolize your faith in God and mark your belonging to the Christian community.

The symbol of the fish before Christianity

Although the meaning of ichtus is linked to Jesus Christ and redemption, this sign has existed since before our era. In fact, the symbol of the fish can be found in pre-Christian religious imagery . For example, Orpheus, the hero of Greek mythology who inspired the religious movement called Orphism, was often defined as a fisher of men in the ^3rd century BC. Also before our era, many other Near Eastern religions used the fish design to symbolize a sacred food .

The ichthus trend

Unlike the cross, which has always been the most recognized symbol of Christianity, the Christian fish remained in the shadows for decades, even centuries. It was not until the 1960s that it made a comeback. Since then, the symbol has once again become an icon of Christianity .

In 1970, the Ichthus Music Festival was founded in the United States, in Kentucky, by Dr. Bob Lyon and a group of seminarians from Asbury Theological Seminary. It was the first Christian music festival in the United States. It was held annually in Wilmore and then in Lexington. Although the event ended in 2015, the Ichthus Music Festival remains one of the largest Christian music festivals in history.

Today, more and more designers are offering items that represent the Christian fish. We have already mentioned the jewelry that is often associated with religious sacraments. In addition, some artists make paintings of the Christian fish. You can get one to adorn your wall if you want. From sculpted objects, stickers, key chains, clothing, etc., you will find a plethora ofitems on the market that proudly recall the ichthus .

Ichthys in the Bible: The New Testament

If you have ever read the Bible, even once, you surely know that fish do not appear very often in the Old Testament. On the other hand, they are very present in the gospels of the apostles.

• Mark 6:41

Here is the most famous biblical passage that involves fish:

He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. He also divided the two fish among them all .

It was at a meal of 5,000 people but there remained only the five small loaves and the two fish. This is the most famous miracle in the Bible. Even non-Christians know it. With the bread, the fish here demonstrates that with the Lord, everything is possible.

• John 21:6

Let us also remember the miraculous catch of fish. After a night of totally unsuccessful fishing on the shores of the Sea of ​​Tiberias, the disciples heard Jesus ask them to try again.

He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find.” So they cast it, and were unable to draw it in because of the large number of fish.

Here again, the fish caught in abundance symbolize a miracle and therefore the power of the Lord.

• Matthew 17:24-27

In the Gospel of Matthew, it is recounted that Christ asked Peter to pay the tax for both of them with a coin found in the mouth of a fish caught on a hook.

When they came to Capernaum, the tax collectors came to Peter and said, “Does not your master pay the tax?” He said, “Yes.” When he had entered the house, Jesus went ahead and said, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect taxes or tributes? From their sons or from foreigners?” He said to him, “From foreigners.” Jesus answered him, “Then the sons are exempt. However, so as not to offend them, go to the lake, cast a hook, and pull in the first fish that comes to the lake; open its mouth and you will find money. Take it and give it to them for me and for you.”

Yet another form of miracle!

• Luke 24:41-44

In Luke's Gospel, fish is associated with the resurrection. When Jesus first appeared to his disciples after being resurrected, he asked them for something to eat.

And while they still disbelieved for joy, and were astonished, he said to them, “Have you here anything to eat?” And they brought him a piece of broiled fish. And he took it and ate in their presence. And he said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything must be fulfilled, which was written about me in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms.”

In short, the fish is linked to the very foundation of Christianity: the resurrection of the messiah.

• Matthew 4:18-20

This passage tells of the calling of the first disciples including Simon (Peter) and Andrew, who were fishermen.

And walking by the Sea of ​​Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishers. And he said to them, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” And they immediately left their nets and followed him.

In these lines, Jesus used a kind of metaphor, comparing the people to be converted to fish to be caught.

• Matthew 13:47-50

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea and gathered every kind of fish. When it was full, the fishermen drew it in and sat down on the shore, put the good into vessels and threw away the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from among the righteous and will throw them into a furnace of fire. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Through these few verses, we can understand that Jesus Christ compared the angels of the last judgment to the fishermen who sort the fish to keep only the good ones and throw away the bad ones. We humans are therefore the fish in the figurative sense.

• Matthew 12:38-40

Here Jesus uses the image of the fish to describe the sign of Jonah.

Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, Master, we want to see a sign from you. But he answered and said to them, An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and no sign will be given to it, except the sign of Jonah the prophet. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Keeping a Sacred Memory by Your Side

Now you know the meaning of the symbol "Ichtus" which has a great importance in the religion of Christianity. Being a Christian myself and knowing well the history of our religion, now you have a better idea of ​​the value of the Ichtus in the Christian religion. The ichtus or the Christian fish is a particularly important sign in Christianity. At first, it served as protection against the Roman persecutors. But over the centuries, it has become a true emblem of the Christian religion .

We hope you enjoyed this article. We enjoyed writing it. In addition to this article, we would like to offer you our exciting article on the Camargue cross .