Preview

Christian Fish Symbols

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1832 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Christian Fish Symbols
Religious symbols play a tremendous role in the Christian faith. The symbols are a physical reminder of their faith. The term "symbol" is said to be a concrete sign or figure. To some, it is considered to be a “recall of an idea or a spiritual reality.” There are tons of important and sacred symbols that Christians still cherish today. They are rich in history and have been around since the early Church. Many of these symbols have fascinating stories behind them, which explain their meaning. As well as make a bold statement. They come in all different shapes and sizes. Many of the Christian symbols today came from certain allegories that were found in the Hebrew scriptures of the Old Testament. Such symbols would include the symbol …show more content…
The Apostles were often referred to as the "fishers of men." Followers of Jesus were called "Pisciculi", which in Latin is the root word for "fish". According to the article "The History of the Christian Fish Symbol", the symbols of the fish combined with the “wine and a basket of bread represent the Eucharist and the Last Supper in Christian art." The word "fish" was mentioned quite often in the gospels. For instance, in the book of Mark, it says "Come after me, and I will make you become fishers of men." Or in Matthew 14:17 it states, "And they said to Him, 'We have here only five loaves and two fish.'" It is even mentioned in Luke 5:6 when it says, "And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking." This mentioning of fish was very common since Jesus did most of his teaching in the Galilee. Fish were said to be the standard diet for people of Galilee. These are just some of the reason why Christians chose the symbol of the fish to represent their …show more content…
Prior to the seaport and the fisherman using it the Greeks, Romans, and other pagans used this symbol way before the Christians did. This was why the fish, unlike, the cross, caused little suspicion back then. It made the perfect hidden-meaning symbol for people being persecuted because of their faith. In turn, this caused the early Christians to make practical use of the fish symbol for their own convenience. In today's world, this is somewhat like the same way people use bumper-stickers or business cards, so they can stand out or be recognized by others. Or so they can show others what they truly stand

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Symbols are small elements that formulate the themes of the books. Authors used them to disguise the themes otherwise, the story may loose it's drill. Also symbols allow the reader to interpret the ideas based on their perspective. In Fahrenheit 451, Bradbury explains the idea of knowledge and ignorance through a set of symbolic…

    • 55 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Flying fish are thought to evolved the ability to jump out of water and glide through the air as an escape method from predators.” (Flying Fish) Many river dwelling communities consider exocetidae or flying fish to be angles of the water and a warning that danger is hidden in the dark depths of the water. Flying fish are attracted to light and shining objects they see from the water. . Francis placing Nike and a flying fish face to face can make one assume that light attracting flying fish is the same attraction Greek pagans have to the goddess…

    • 1127 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Pentacle The significance of a pentacle in the 14th century is that it symbolized different religious views. Cross The significance of a cross in the 14th century was that it was a symbol of region like a pentacle…

    • 345 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    the cave vs the 4 idols

    • 356 Words
    • 1 Page

    The second idol, the idol of the cave, a den was the symbol, it represented the minds of…

    • 356 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    I think these have more so kept the same symbols to have a better understanding of someone’s religious preferences or beliefs. Religion has been around for a lot longer than any who is left on the earth. I honestly think its just out of convince that people have kept the same symbols because its just easier that way.…

    • 497 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The use of symbol to express human understandings of God is useful because it can hold a deeper meaning than can be described using words. The Christian symbol of the crucifix for example, reminds people of Jesus’ death on the cross, but the deeper meaning that can be gotten from this is the idea of Jesus’ as a sacrifice he made for our sins.…

    • 1096 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Magen David or more commonly known as the star of David is the most common symbol associated with Judaism. The star is supposed to represent the shape of king David’s shield. There are many ideas about the symbolic meaning of the Star of David. Some Kabbalists thought that the six points represented God's absolute rule over the universe in all six directions north, south, east, west, up, and down. Kabbalists also believed that the two triangles represented humanity’s good and evil and that the star could be used as protection against evil spirits.…

    • 388 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    Symbols are presented in most religions. “Water, for instance is used in all sorts of religious rituals: Hindus bathe in the Ganges River; Christians use water for baptisms; Jews use water for ritual purification; and Muslims, and followers of Shinto wash before prayer” (Molloy, 2010). p. 8 Symbols are concrete, ordinary, and universal that helps human beings to represent, and experience something of a greater complexity. For example, water represent spiritual cleaning, a mountain, strength, the sun, health; and a circle, eternity. Symbolism can be define as both…

    • 1821 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Themes in stories can be developed through many different means. It can be openly stated or just simply implied. Throughout history symbolism has been used to develop stories. Even in the bible there are multiple symbols that can be found. J.D. Salinger uses symbols to help readers understand the overall message and theme of his book The Catcher in the Rye. From Holden’s red hunting hat to Allie’s baseball mitt, symbols are constantly being thrown into the story. One other symbol that I think is highly significant is the ducks in Central Park.…

    • 526 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Symbols are objects, characters, figures, or colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts. There are many symbols that appear in this novel. In this novel some of the symbols are very recognizable others are not. For example the ten little Indians are recognizable. Judge Wargrave’s gunshot is not very recognizable as the mark of Cain.…

    • 251 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Salmon Symbolism

    • 248 Words
    • 1 Page

    A symbolic scene was in part two, chapter three and four, when a salmon was mentioned to Jack and Rosemary. This was symbolic moment that foreshadows how Dwight is holding both of them back. Jack and Rosemary has made a long trip from city to city that draws comparisons to how the salmon makes a journey from salt to fresh water. The salmons body changes and the actually skin of the fish decays because of the water change. Like the salmon, Jack and Rosemary has entered a new life with Dwight that is making them not fit in. They are out of place and being forced to live an unhappy life. Like Jack and Rosemary, they have entered a environment that could lead to death, like the fish, Jack mentions that “they were already dying…the change from…

    • 248 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Gangs vs Cults

    • 717 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Symbols are a very important part of the gang culture. Signs and symbols are used to identify a certain gang or to intimidate and disrespect rival gangs. There are times when they are used to identify a group of gangs, referred to as a “nation”. Gang members use tattoos, graffiti, and a particular color of clothing to show who they are affiliated with. Cults use symbols to identify different religious beliefs. Some examples of these signs or symbols are as follows; the inverted pentagram is used in witchcraft and occult rituals to conjure up evil spirits, the hexagram is one of the most potent symbols used in the working of the powers of darkness, and the upside down cross symbolizes mockery and rejection of Christ. Symbols are used in very different ways in the two cultures. Gangs represent their set very proudly and openly displaying who they are affiliated with, while cults mostly display their symbols through jewelry.…

    • 717 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    For example, in our Christian Church we receive communion, where we are given a cup of grape juice and a wafer of unleavened bread. Specifically, the grape juice, which is a substitute for wine, represents the blood that Jesus Christ shed on the Cross, and the bread is a representative of his broken body. These symbols, which are handed to us from the usher, take us in our mind’s eye to the Upper Room,…

    • 479 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Symbolism In The Bible

    • 1718 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Symbolism is used all throughout the Bible. Everything in the Bible has a significant meaning and a purpose. Symbolism helps create understanding and depth. It can help make the theme of a story become clearer. Themes alone can sound preachy, and stories alone can sound shallow. Symbolism weaves the two together to create a perfect balance. Symbols are usually used to describe something complex, Jesus used symbols so we could understand his preaching’s. God’s journey with the Israelites is one of the greatest epics ever written. In all good tales symbolism is often used. Both in the old and new testaments three things are often used as symbols; the vine, the olive tree, and the fig tree. These three things come together…

    • 1718 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Life Of Pi Survival Essay

    • 1294 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Other symbols in Life of Pi would include the ocean, which represented life and death at the same time, providing Pi with food but in exchange ruining his body with everything from sores to storms and the whistle, which slightly represented survival, as Pi needed it to keep Richard Parker at bay. In brief, symbols helped this story by allowing the reader to better understand the themes of the…

    • 1294 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays