2007-07-17 09:16:40 · 19 answers · asked by †ღChristian♥Girlღ† 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It's the symbol for followers of Christ - Christ is the fisher of men.
I'm a fish!
2007-07-17 09:21:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It was a symbol used by early Christians to identify themselves without saying they were Christians. They were heavily persecuted by Romans.
If you met a person on the street you would draw half the symbol in the dirt. From the nose to tail, almost a half heart. Then if the person you met was a Christian, that person would finish the fish by drawing the other half.
2007-07-17 16:22:04 · answer #2 · answered by JonB 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
á¼°ÏθÏÏ, "Which means fish And very aptly symbolizes Christ," as Browning reminds us, because the letters of the word can be taken as the initial letters (in Greek) of the sentence "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior."
Note also the Disciples as "fishers of men," and the various miracles performed by Christ in connection with fish.
But the fish was an ancient pre-Christian symbol of both the male and the female generative powers. Its typically phallic appearance consecrated it to the male, while the vesica piscis or "bladder of the fish," formed by the conjunction of two circles whose centers each lie on the circumference of the other, was the quintessential symbol of the womb. The Christians simply appropriated the fish symbol for their own Mysteries, which were themselves hijacked wholesale from those of "paganism."
2007-07-17 16:19:34 · answer #3 · answered by jonjon418 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
"But the fish was an ancient pre-Christian symbol of both the male and the female generative powers"
Name something that wasn't a "pre-Christian symbol".
"The Christians simply appropriated the symbol for their own mysteries, which were themselves appropriated wholesale from 'paganism.'"
Sorry, but the "copycat gods" argument is weak. Funny how the "similarities" break down when one starts examining the specifics.
"why do you think he fed the multitude with 2 fish"
Because he was on the banks of the Sea of Galilee?
"and took 2 fishermen as disciples"
Actually, it was four (Simon & Andrew, James & John). And seeing as fishing was a common occupation in the area, what's so surprising about it?
"12 disciples = 12 months"
It also equals 12 tribes of Israel.
Oh, and every symbol of pisces I've seen is either two fish in sort of a ying-yang configuration or an "H"-shaped symbol with the two sides curved inward.
2007-07-17 17:31:01 · answer #4 · answered by Deof Movestofca 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
During roman rule (I think) christians were not allowed to be christians. So they practiced their faith secretly. When walking and meeting other people they would make the mark of half the fish in the dirt, if the other person was a christian they would also mark the ground thus mking the shape of teh fish. A non christian would just see someone idly running their toe in the dirt
2007-07-17 16:24:47 · answer #5 · answered by angi zefi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fish symbol has been used even before Jesus walked the earth, but when He did come about, the fish was a word more like an acronym that stood for each one of the characteristics of Him. That's all Greek to you.
2007-07-17 16:20:26 · answer #6 · answered by wowwee 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Back during times or Roman persecution of the Christian faith, the Ichthus (Fish) was used a secret means of one Christian identifying the other. One person would draw an arc in the sand, and the other person would complete the fish to show his brotherhood.
It is also, according to wikipedia, used as a Christian acronym of Greek words: I=Jesus, Ch=Christ, Th=Theou (God's), U=Uios (Son), S=Soter (Savior). Thus, IChThUS means "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior".
2007-07-17 16:21:31 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The fish is an anagram. The Greek word for fish is icthus and the letters stand for Iesus Christus Theos Uios Soter or Jesus Son of God Savior.
2007-07-17 16:22:16 · answer #8 · answered by jakejr6 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was actually used by early Christians in the Roman age, that were persecuted.
They posted the fish on doors and drew it in the dust to indicate to other christians, who they were.
Kinda like gang signs today.
2007-07-17 16:19:59 · answer #9 · answered by ɹɐǝɟsuɐs Blessed Cheese Maker 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
back in bible days wen christianity was still a no-no, christians had a secret way of seeing if the other person could be trusted and wasnt just a spy. one person would draw in the dirt rather nonchalantly a half circle and if te other person was a christian too, he would nonchalantly finish drawing the fish. it was safer than just asking someone : are you a christian too? cuz that could get you arrested. its like a secret handshake
2007-07-17 16:21:39 · answer #10 · answered by super_corrie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The initial for Christ in ancient Greek and the word for fish is the same!
2007-07-17 16:38:00 · answer #11 · answered by Sniper 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋