Because Jesus was a fisherman?
Wasn't he also referred to as a shepherd?
I'm just thinking that 'sheep symbols' would be more appropriate (on many levels)
2006-09-11 11:04:26 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
BBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAa
2006-09-11 11:09:30 · update #1
I don't know but I very much want an FSM on my car
http://www.cafepress.com/cp/browse/store/venganza/799050
or a pirate fish
http://www.cafepress.com/cp/browse/store/venganza/796592
How cool do these cars look?
http://www.venganza.org/fish.htm
2006-09-11 11:19:27 · answer #1 · answered by Miss. Bliss 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the early Christian church, Christians were being persecuted by the Roman Empire. It was illegal to be a Christian at that time, so believers had a special "code" if you will. When they met someone they suspected to be a believer (that is, a Christian- someone who believed Jesus rose from the dead) they would draw a little half-moon shape in the sand. If the other person was a Christian, they would complete the shape with another crescent, creating the fish shape. Then they were free to talk about their beliefs without fear of being killed. The greek symbols means Jesus Christ Son of God Savior. Not sure when that part came into play. I believe people starting putting the fish symbol on their car to say that they are a Christian. Now it has turned into a trend, much like the WWJD braclets or cross necklaces...
2006-09-11 18:17:38 · answer #2 · answered by The New Mrs. Nguyen 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fish symbol is icthus with is Greek for fish. It often has greek letters inside spelling out icthus and make an acrostic:
Iesous - Jesus; Christos - Christ; THeou - God; Uiou - the son of; Soter - the Savior. Together, the acrostic means "Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Savior
When early Christians were persecuted for their beliefs, they would often identify themselves by drawing half a circle in the sand. If the other person was a Christian they would draw another half circle completing icthus symbol if they were not a Christian, the half cirlce didn't mean anything to them. Also secret meeting places for Christians were often designated by a fish or the icthus symbol on the outside of the building.
2006-09-11 18:18:00 · answer #3 · answered by jac4drac 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fish symbol on cars symbolizes the fact that:
A) God is your co-pilot
B) God loves you despite the fact that your blinker has been on for the last 20 miles
C) The reason you are speeding down the road at 100 mph is you are in a hurry to do God's work
or D) The reason you passed by a homeless man without giving him a hand is that he wasn't Jesus and he was standing to close to your Suburban.
If it means something different than the above I haven't seen it.
2006-09-11 18:42:32 · answer #4 · answered by Katy_Kat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It has meaning on several levels. One of which is, as you stated,Jesus made his disciples fishers of men.
However, it's origin began centuries ago during a time of persecution of Christians wherein, one Christian would draw in the sand the top portion on the fish and if the other person was also a Christan he would recognize this secret hand shake of sorts and complete the fish by making the same outline in the sand on the underside thus creating the symbol of the fish.
See link below for additional details
2006-09-11 18:10:33 · answer #5 · answered by quarterton2001 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Jesus wasnt a fisherman, he was a carpenter. The fish signifies the story were Jesus took 1 fish and 1 loaf of bread and made it enough to feed a bunch of his followers. The fish I think represents that in Jesus everything is possible.
2006-09-11 18:11:17 · answer #6 · answered by mcskillins 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a symbol by which the early Christians identified each other.
I'd like to believe that today it's a symbol by which the decent Christians identify themselves, but I suspect it's used more generally than that. Today you can't help but notice who is the other kind of Christian - the rest of the back end their car is covered with anti-American right wing bumper stickers.
2006-09-11 18:17:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I seem to remember something from Sunday School years ago about Jesus being the fisher of man.. perhaps that is why. Then again I could be wrong because I felt my time was better served staring out the window wishing I was on the other side.
2006-09-11 18:07:57 · answer #8 · answered by genaddt 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
many times has the Diciples of Jesus have been persecuted. To actually talk to another in secret one would make a smily and then the new comer to finish in completing the fish........Jesus feed a communion of 5000 men with 3 fish and 2 loafs of bread......
2006-09-11 18:17:37 · answer #9 · answered by i have been the longest 1 1/2 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was a symbol used back in the day when the Christians were persecuted and hunted. They used it to mark safe places and fellow Christians.
2006-09-11 18:11:42 · answer #10 · answered by Grandma Susie 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I can't remember it all, but in Greek the symbol stands for Jesus Christ Son of God Savior
2006-09-11 18:07:59 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋