Fish symbol in ancient. What does the fish symbol mean in Christianity?

The first Christian symbolic images appear in the paintings of the Roman catacombs and date back to the period of persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire. During this period, the symbols had the character of secret writing, allowing fellow believers to recognize each other, but the meaning of the symbols already reflected the emerging Christian theology. Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann notes:

The early Church did not know the icon in its modern dogmatic meaning. The beginning of Christian art - painting of the catacombs - is symbolic in nature (...) It tends to depict not so much a deity as the function of a deity.

L. A. Uspensky associates the active use in the ancient Church of various symbols, rather than iconographic images, with the fact that “in order to little by little prepare people for the truly incomprehensible mystery of the Incarnation, the Church first addressed them in a language more acceptable to them than direct image." Also, symbolic images, in his opinion, were used as a way of hiding Christian sacraments from catechumens until the time of their baptism.

So Cyril of Jerusalem wrote: “everyone is allowed to hear the gospel, but the glory of the gospel is given to only the sincere Servants of Christ. To those who could not listen, the Lord spoke in parables, and to the disciples in private he explained the parables.” The oldest catacomb images include scenes of the “Adoration of the Magi” (about 12 frescoes with this plot have been preserved), which date back to the 2nd century. Also dating back to the 2nd century is the appearance in the catacombs of images of the acronym ΙΧΘΥΣ or the fish symbolizing it.

Among other symbols of catacomb painting, the following stand out:

anchor - an image of hope (an anchor is the support of a ship at sea, hope acts as a support for the soul in Christianity). This image is already present in the Epistle to the Hebrews of the Apostle Paul (Heb. 6:18-20);
dove is a symbol of the Holy Spirit; · phoenix – symbol of resurrection;
the eagle is a symbol of youth (“your youth will be renewed like an eagle” (Ps. 102:5));
the peacock is a symbol of immortality (according to the ancients, its body was not subject to decomposition);
the rooster is a symbol of resurrection (the crow of a rooster awakens from sleep, and awakening, according to Christians, should remind believers of the Last Judgment and the general resurrection of the dead);
the lamb is a symbol of Jesus Christ;
lion is a symbol of strength and power;
olive branch - a symbol of eternal peace;
lily is a symbol of purity (common due to the influence of apocryphal stories about the presentation of a lily flower by the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary at the Annunciation);
vine and a basket of bread are symbols of the Eucharist.

Characteristics of the 35 main symbols and signs of Christianity

1. Chi Rho- one of the earliest cruciform symbols of Christians. It is formed by superimposing the first two letters of the Greek version of the word Christ: Chi=X and Po=P. Although the Chi Rho is not technically a cross, it is associated with the crucifixion of Christ and symbolizes his status as Lord. It is believed that Chi Rho was the first to use it at the beginning of the 4th century. AD Emperor Constantine, decorating it with a labarum, a military standard. As the 4th century Christian apologist Lactantius notes, on the eve of the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312 AD. The Lord appeared to Constantine and ordered to put the image of Chi Rho on the shields of the soldiers. After Constantine's victory at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, the Chi Rho became the official emblem of the empire. Archaeologists have found evidence that Chi Rho was depicted on Constantine's helmet and shield, as well as his soldiers. Chi Rho was also engraved on coins and medallions minted during the reign of Constantine. By 350 AD images began to appear on Christian sarcophagi and frescoes.

2. Lamb: a symbol of Christ as the Paschal sacrificial lamb, as well as a symbol for Christians, reminding them that Christ is our shepherd, and Peter ordered his sheep to be fed. The Lamb also serves as a sign of St. Agnes (her day is celebrated on January 21), a martyr of early Christianity.

3.Baptismal cross: consists of a Greek cross with the Greek letter "X" - the initial letter of the word Christ, symbolizing rebirth, and therefore it is associated with the rite of Baptism.

4.Peter's Cross: When Peter was sentenced to martyrdom, he asked to be crucified upside down out of respect for Christ. Thus, the inverted Latin cross became its symbol. In addition, it serves as a symbol of the papacy. Unfortunately, this cross is also used by Satanists, whose goal is to “revolutionize” Christianity (see, for example, their “Black Mass”), including the Latin cross.

5.Ichthus(ih-tus) or ichthys means “fish” in Greek. The Greek letters used to spell the word are iota, chi, theta, upsilon and sigma. IN English translation This is IXOYE. The five Greek letters named are the first letters of the words Iesous Christos, Theou Uios, Soter, which means “Jesus Christ, son of God, Savior.” This symbol was used primarily among early Christians in the 1st-2nd centuries. AD The symbol was brought from Alexandria (Egypt), which at that time was a crowded seaport. Goods traveled from this port throughout Europe. That is why sailors were the first to use the ichthys symbol to designate a god close to them.

6.Rose: Holy Virgin, Mother of God, symbol of martyrdom, secrets of confession. The five roses united together represent the five wounds of Christ.

7. Jerusalem cross: Also known as the Crusader Cross, it consists of five Greek crosses that symbolize: a) the five wounds of Christ; b) 4 Gospels and 4 cardinal directions (4 smaller crosses) and Christ himself (large cross). The cross was a common symbol during wars against Islamic aggressors.

8.Latin cross, also known as the Protestant cross and the Western cross. The Latin cross (crux ordinaria) serves as a symbol of Christianity, despite the fact that long before the founding of the Christian church it was a symbol of pagans. It was created in China and Africa. His images are found on Scandinavian sculptures Bronze Age, embodying the image of the god of war and thunder Thor. The cross is considered a magical symbol. It brings good luck and wards off evil. Some scholars interpret the rock carvings of the cross as a symbol of the sun or a symbol

Earth, whose rays indicate north, south, east and west. Others point out its resemblance to a human figure.

9.Pigeon: symbol of the Holy Spirit, part of the cult of Epiphany and Pentecost. It also symbolizes the release of the soul after death, and is used to call Noah's dove, a harbinger of hope.

10. Anchor: Images of this symbol in the cemetery of St. Domitilla date back to the 1st century, they are also found in the catacombs in epitaphs of the 2nd and 3rd centuries, but there are especially many of them in the cemetery of St. Priscilla (there are about 70 examples here alone), St. Calixtus, Coemetarium majus. See Epistle to the Hebrews 6:19.

11.Eight-pointed cross: The eight-pointed cross is also called the Orthodox cross or the cross of St. Lazarus. The smallest crossbar represents the title, where it was written “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews”; the upper end of the cross is the path to Heavenly Kingdom which Christ showed. The seven-pointed cross is a variation Orthodox cross, where the title is attached not across the cross, but from above.

12. Ship: is an ancient Christian symbol that symbolized the church and each individual believer. Crosses with a crescent, which can be seen on many churches, just depict such a ship, where the cross is a sail.

13.Calvary cross: The Golgotha cross is monastic (or schematic). It symbolizes the sacrifice of Christ. Widespread in ancient times, the cross of Golgotha is now embroidered only on the paraman and the lectern.

14. Vine: is the gospel image of Christ. This symbol also has its own meaning for the Church: its members are branches, and the grapes are a symbol of Communion. In the New Testament, the grapevine is a symbol of Paradise.

15. I.H.S.: Another popular monogram for the name of Christ. These are the three letters of the Greek name for Jesus. But with the decline of Greece, other, Latin, monograms with the name of the Savior began to appear, often in combination with a cross.

16. Triangle- symbol of the Holy Trinity. Each side personifies the Hypostasis of God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. All sides are equal and together form a single whole.

17. Arrows, or a ray piercing the heart - an allusion to the saying of St. Augustine in Confessions. Three arrows piercing the heart symbolize Simeon's prophecy.

18. Skull or Adam's head V equally is both a symbol of death and a symbol of victory over it. According to Sacred Tradition, the ashes of Adam were on Golgotha when Christ was crucified. The blood of the savior, having washed Adam’s skull, symbolically washed all of humanity and gave him a chance for salvation.

19. Eagle- a symbol of ascension. He is a symbol of the soul that seeks God. Often - a symbol of new life, justice, courage and faith. The eagle also symbolizes the evangelist John.

20.All-seeing eye- a symbol of omniscience, omniscience and wisdom. It is usually depicted inscribed in a triangle - a symbol of the Trinity. Can also symbolize hope.

21. Seraphim- angels closest to God. They are six-winged and carry fiery swords, and can have from one to 16 faces. As a symbol, they mean the purifying fire of the spirit, divine heat and love.

22.Bread- This is a reference to the biblical episode when five thousand people were fed with five loaves. Bread is depicted in the form of ears of corn (sheaves symbolize the meeting of the apostles) or in the form of bread for communion.

23. Good Shepherd. The main source of this image is the Gospel parable, in which Christ Himself calls Himself this way (John 10:11-16). Actually, the image of the Shepherd is rooted in Old Testament, where often the leaders of the people of Israel (Moses - Isaiah 63:11, Joshua - Numbers 27:16-17, King David in Psalms 77, 71, 23) are called shepherds, while the Lord Himself is spoken of - “The Lord is my Shepherd” ( The Psalm of the Lord says, “The Lord is my Shepherd” (Ps. 23:1-2). Thus, Christ in the Gospel parable points to the fulfillment of prophecy and the finding of consolation by the people of God. Moreover, the image of the shepherd had and has a clear meaning to everyone. and to this day in Christianity it is customary to call priests shepherds, and the laity the flock. Christ the Shepherd is depicted in the form of an ancient shepherd, dressed in a tunic, in shepherd's laced sandals, often with a staff and a vessel for milk, in his hands he can hold a reed flute. milk symbolizes Communion; the rod - power; the flute - the sweetness of His teaching ("No one ever spoke like this man" - John 7:46) and hope, hope.

24.Burning bush is a thorn bush that burns but is not consumed. In his image, God appeared to Moses, calling him to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt. The burning bush is also a symbol Mother of God touched by the Holy Spirit.

25.a lion- a symbol of vigilance and the Resurrection, and one of the symbols of Christ. It is also a symbol of the Evangelist Mark, and is associated with the power and royal dignity of Christ.

26.Taurus(bull or ox) - symbol of the Evangelist Luke. Taurus means the sacrificial service of the Savior, his Sacrifice on the Cross. The ox is also considered a symbol of all martyrs.

27.Angel symbolizes the human nature of Christ, his earthly incarnation. It is also a symbol of the Evangelist Matthew.

28. Grail- this is the vessel in which Joseph of Arimathea allegedly collected blood from the wounds of Jesus Christ during the crucifixion. The history of this vessel, which acquired miraculous power, was outlined by a French writer beginning of XII century by Chrétien de Troyes and a century later in more detail by Robert de Raven on the basis of the apocryphal Gospel of Nicodemus. According to legend, the Grail is kept in a mountain castle, it is filled with sacred hosts that serve for communion and give miraculous powers. The fanatical search for the relic by the crusading knights greatly contributed to the creation of the legend of the Grail, processed and formalized with the participation of many authors and culminating in the tales of Parsifal and Gilead.

29.Nimbus is a shiny circle that ancient Greek and Roman artists, depicting gods and heroes, often placed above their heads, indicating that these were higher, unearthly, supernatural beings. In the iconography of Christianity, the halo has become an accessory of images of hypostases since ancient times. Holy Trinity, angels, Our Lady and saints; often he also accompanied the Lamb of God and animal figures serving as symbols of the four evangelists. At the same time, for some icons, halos of a special kind were installed. For example, the face of God the Father was placed under a halo, which initially had the shape

triangle, and then the shape of a six-pointed star formed by two equilateral triangles. The Virgin Mary's halo is always round and often exquisitely decorated. The halos of saints or other divine persons are usually round and without ornaments.

30. Church In Christian symbolism, church has several meanings. Its main meaning is the House of God. It can also be understood as the Body of Christ. Sometimes the church is associated with the ark, and in this sense it means salvation for all its parishioners. In painting, a church placed in the hands of a saint means that this saint was the founder or bishop of that church. However, the church is in the hands of St. Jerome and St. Gregory does not mean any particular building, but the Church in general, to which these saints gave great support and became its first fathers.

31.Pelican, A beautiful legend is associated with this bird, existing in dozens of slightly different versions, but very similar in meaning to the ideas of the Gospel: self-sacrifice, deification through the communion of the Body and Blood of Christ. Pelicans live in coastal reeds near the warm Mediterranean Sea and are often subject to snake bites. Adult birds feed on them and are immune to their poison, but chicks are not yet. According to legend, if a pelican chick is bitten poisonous snake, then he pecks at his own breast in order to give them blood with the necessary antibodies and thereby save their lives. Therefore, the pelican was often depicted on sacred vessels or in places of Christian worship.

32. Chrism is a monogram made up of the first letters of the Greek word “Christ” - “Anointed One”. Some researchers mistakenly identify this Christian symbol with the double-edged ax of Zeus - “Labarum”. The Greek letters “a” and “ω” are sometimes placed along the edges of the monogram. Christianity was depicted on the sarcophagi of martyrs, in the mosaics of baptisteries (baptisteries), on the shields of soldiers and even on Roman coins - after the era of persecution.

33. Lily- a symbol of Christian purity, purity and beauty. The first images of lilies, judging by the Song of Songs, served as decoration for the Temple of Solomon. According to legend, on the day of the Annunciation, Archangel Gabriel came to the Virgin Mary with a white lily, which has since become a symbol of Her purity, innocence and devotion to God. With the same flower, Christians depicted saints, glorified by the purity of their lives, martyrs and martyrs.

34. Phoenix represents the image of the Resurrection associated with ancient legend about the eternal bird. The Phoenix lived for several centuries and, when the time came for him to die, he flew to Egypt and burned there. All that was left of the bird was a pile of nutritious ashes in which, after some time, new life. Soon a new, rejuvenated Phoenix rose from it and flew away in search of adventure.

35.Rooster- This is a symbol of the general resurrection that awaits everyone at the Second Coming of Christ. Just as the crowing of a rooster awakens people from sleep, the trumpets of angels will awaken people at the end of time to meet the Lord, the Last Judgment, and inherit a new life.

Christianity color symbols

The most significant difference between the “pagan” period of color symbolism and the “Christian” period lies, first of all, in the fact that light and color finally cease to be identified with God and mystical forces, but become their

attributes, qualities and signs. According to Christian canons, God created the world, including light (color), but it itself cannot be reduced to light. Medieval theologians (for example, Aurelius Augustine), praising light and color as manifestations of the divine, nevertheless point out that they (colors) can also be deceptive (from Satan) and their identification with God is a delusion and even sin.

White

Only White color remains an unshakable symbol of holiness and spirituality. Particularly important was the meaning of white as purity and innocence, liberation from sins. Angels, saints, and the risen Christ are depicted in white robes. White robes were worn by newly converted Christians. Also, white is the color of baptism, communion, the holidays of the Nativity of Christ, Easter, and Ascension. IN Orthodox Church white is used in all services from Easter to Trinity Day. The Holy Spirit is depicted as white dove. White Lily symbolizes purity, it accompanies images of the Virgin Mary. White does not have negative meanings in Christianity. In early Christianity the positive prevailed symbolic meaning yellow, as the color of the Holy Spirit, divine revelation, enlightenment, etc. But later, yellow takes on a negative meaning. In the Gothic era, it begins to be considered the color of treason, betrayal, deceit, and jealousy. In church art, Cain and the traitor Judas Iscariot were often depicted with yellow beards.

Gold

Used in Christian painting as an expression of divine revelation. The golden radiance embodies the eternal divine light. Many people perceive the golden color as starlight descending from heaven.

Red

In Christianity, it symbolizes the blood of Christ, shed for the salvation of people, and, consequently, his love for people. This is the color of the fire of faith, martyrdom and the passion of the Lord, as well as the royal triumph of justice and victory over evil. Red is the color of worship on the Feast of the Holy Spirit, Palm Sunday, during Holy Week, on the days of remembrance of the martyrs who shed blood for their faith. The red rose indicates the shed blood and wounds of Christ, the cup that receives the “holy blood.” Therefore, it symbolizes rebirth in this context. Marked in red on the calendar joyful events, dedicated to Christ, the Mother of God and the saints. From church calendar We have come to a tradition of highlighting holiday dates in red. Easter of Christ in churches begins in white vestments as a sign of Divine light. But already the Easter Liturgy (in some churches it is customary to change vestments, so that the priest appears each time in vestments of a different color) and the entire week is served in red vestments. Red clothes are often used before Trinity.

Blue

This is the color of heaven, truth, humility, immortality, chastity, piety, baptism, harmony. He expressed the idea of self-sacrifice and meekness. Blue color as if mediates the connection between the heavenly and the earthly, between God and the world. As the color of air, blue expresses a person’s readiness to accept for himself the presence and power of God, blue has become the color of faith, the color of fidelity, the color of desire for something mysterious and wonderful. Blue is the color of the Virgin Mary, and she is usually depicted wearing a blue cloak. Mary in this meaning is the Queen of Heaven, covering

with this cloak, protecting and saving believers (Pokrovsky Cathedral). In the paintings of churches dedicated to the Mother of God, the color of heavenly blue predominates. Dark blue is typical for the depiction of the clothes of cherubs, who are constantly in reverent reflection.

Green

This color was more “earthly”, it meant life, spring, the flowering of nature, youth. This is the color of the Cross of Christ, the Grail (according to legend, carved from a whole emerald). Green is identified with the great Trinity. On this holiday, according to tradition, churches and apartments are usually decorated with bouquets of green twigs. At the same time, green also had negative meanings - deceit, temptation, devilish temptation (green eyes were attributed to Satan).

Black

The attitude towards black was predominantly negative, as the color of evil, sin, the devil and hell, as well as death. In the meanings of black, as among primitive peoples, the aspect of “ritual death”, death for the world, was preserved and even developed. Therefore, black became the color of monasticism. For Christians, a black raven meant trouble. But black has not only such a tragic meaning. In icon painting in some scenes it means divine mystery. For example, on a black background, signifying the incomprehensible depth of the Universe, the Cosmos was depicted - an old man in a crown in the icon of the Descent of the Holy Spirit.

Violet

It is formed by mixing red and blue (cyan). Thus, purple combines the beginning and end of the light spectrum. It symbolizes intimate knowledge, silence, spirituality. In early Christianity, purple symbolized sadness and affection. This color is appropriated to the memories of the Cross and Lenten services, where the suffering and Crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of people are remembered. As a sign of higher spirituality, combined with the idea of the Savior’s feat on the cross, this color is used for the bishop’s mantle, so that the Orthodox bishop, as it were, is fully clothed in the feat of the cross of the Heavenly Bishop, whose image and imitator the bishop is in the Church.

Brown and gray

Brown and gray were the colors of the commoners. Their symbolic meaning, especially in early middle ages, was purely negative. They meant poverty, hopelessness, wretchedness, abomination, etc. Brown is the color of earth, sadness. It symbolizes humility, renunciation of worldly life. Gray color (a mixture of white and black, good and evil) is the color of ash, emptiness. After the ancient era, during the Middle Ages in Europe, color again regained its position, primarily as a symbol of mystical forces and phenomena, which is especially characteristic of early Christianity.

For our readers: the symbol of fish in Christianity with detailed description from various sources.

The image of a fish is often found in meeting places of early Christians, in catacombs and cemeteries Ancient Rome and Greece, as well as in medieval Christian architecture. There are several complementary theories as to why fish became a symbol of Christianity.

Instructions

Proponents of the first theory claim that the fish was chosen as a symbol new faith and an identifying mark among the early Christians, since the Greek spelling of this word forms an acronym for the main tenet of the Christian faith. “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior” - this was and remains to this day the religion of Christianity, and the first

these words in Greek (Ἰησοὺς Χριστὸς Θεoὺ ῾Υιὸς Σωτήρ) form the word Ίχθύς, “ichthys”, “fish”. According to this theory, early Christians, depicting the sign of the fish, professed their faith and at the same time recognized their fellow believers. In Henryk Sienkiewicz’s novel “Quo vadis” there is a scene in which the Greek Chilon tells the patrician Petronius exactly this version of the origin of the fish sign as a symbol of Christians.

According to another theory, the sign of fish among the early Christians was a symbolic designation of followers of the new faith. This statement is based on frequent references to fish in the sermons of Jesus Christ, as well as in His personal conversations with his disciples, later the apostles. He metaphorically calls people in need of salvation fish, and the future apostles, many of whom were former fishermen, “fishers of men.” “And Jesus said to Simon: Do not be afraid; from now on you will catch men” (Gospel of Luke 5: 10) The “Fisherman’s Ring” of the Pope, one of the main attributes of the vestment, has the same origin.
Biblical texts also claim that only fish survived the Great Flood, sent by God for the sins of people, not counting those who took refuge in the Ark. At the beginning of the era, history repeated itself, Greco-Roman civilization was experiencing a monstrous crisis of morality, and the new Christian faith was called upon to become the saving and at the same time cleansing waters of a new “spiritual” flood. “The kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind” (Gospel of Matthew 13:47).

Also worthy of attention is the theory that fish became a symbol of Christianity due to its main, food function. The new creed primarily spread among the most oppressed part of the population. For these people, simple food like fish was the only salvation from starvation. This is precisely what some researchers see as the reason why fish has become a symbol of salvation from spiritual death, the bread of new life and the promise of life after death. As evidence, supporters of this theory cite numerous images in the Roman catacombs in places of ritual, where fish acted as a Eucharistic symbol.

Most fish have large and round eyes, but they are designed completely differently from other animals. This raises the question of how well and how fish are able to see.

Instructions

Fish vision is designed in such a way that they can easily see colors and even distinguish shades. However, they see things a little differently, in

from the sushi abodes. At

up fish are able to see everything without distortion, but if

look

to the side, straight or at an angle,

picture

distorted due to the media of water and air.

The maximum visibility of the inhabitants of the water element does not exceed 10–12 meters in clear water. Often this distance is reduced even further due to the presence of plants, changes in water color, increased turbidity, etc. Fish distinguish objects most clearly at a distance of up to 2 meters. Due to the peculiarity of the structure of the eyes, when swimming to the surface of the water, fish begin to see objects as if through

porthole

Predators living in clear waters- grayling, trout, asp, pike. Some species that feed on bottom organisms and plankton (bream, catfish, eel, pike perch, etc.) have special light-sensitive elements in the retina that can distinguish weak light rays. Due to this, they can see quite well in the dark.

Being near the shore, the fish hear the fisherman very well, but do not see him due to the refraction of the ray of vision. This makes them vulnerable, so a big role

presence of camouflage. Experienced fishermen advise not to wear bright clothes when fishing, but

vice versa

Choose more protective colors as a camouflage that will blend into the general background. Much less likely to be noticed

will be in shallow water than when fishing close to the shore and in deeper places. Thus, while fishing, it is better to sit than stand, and also not

commit

sudden movements. That is why spinners who like to hunt from a boat are better off fishing (catching a predator by throwing bait) while sitting, which is not only safe, but will also help

get

noticeably larger catch.

What does this fish sign mean for Christians?

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Ichthys(ancient Greek Ίχθύς - fish) - an ancient acronym (monogram) of the name of Jesus Christ, consisting of the initial letters of the words: Ἰησοῦς Χριστός, Θεοῦ Υἱός, Σωτήρ (Jesus Christ God's Son the Savior).

Often depicted in an allegorical way - in the form of a fish.

Symbolic meaning

The acronym IHTIS (ΙΧΘΥΣ) is built on the use of the following letters:

Thus, in this abbreviation short form expresses the confession of the Christian faith.

Gospel symbolism

The New Testament connects the symbolism of fish with the preaching of Christ's disciples, many of whom were fishermen. Jesus Christ calls his disciples " fishers of men"(Matthew 4:19, Mark 1:17), and the Kingdom of Heaven is likened to" a net thrown into the sea and catching fish of all kinds"(Matthew 13:47).

“The Last Supper”, fresco from the 13th century. in the cave church, Cappadocia. The Body of Christ in the Grail is depicted as a fish

The image of a fish also has a Eucharistic meaning associated with the following meals described in the Gospel:

feeding the people in the desert with loaves and fishes (Mark 6:34-44, Mark 8:1-9);
the meal of Christ and the apostles on Lake Tiberias after his Resurrection (John 21:9-22).

These scenes were often depicted in the catacombs, connecting with the Last Supper.

The sign was also associated with Alpha from the words of Jesus Christ: “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last” (Rev. 22:13).

Symbol occurrence time

In early Christian art, images of Christ were an unacceptable subject due to persecution, so various symbolic codes arose. Images of the acronym ΙΧΘΥΣ or the fish symbolizing it appear in the Roman catacombs in the 2nd century. The widespread use of this symbol is evidenced by the mention of it by Tertullian at the beginning of the 3rd century:

We are little fish, led by our ikhthus, we are born in water and can only be saved by being in water.

Features of the symbol image

Ίχθύς Early Christian inscription,

Monogram without any drawings.
Fish(with and without the monogram ΙΧΘΥΣ) - can be depicted symbolically.
A fish carrying on its back a basket of bread and a bottle of wine,- a symbol of Christ carrying the sacrament.
Dolphin- symbolizes Christ as a guide through chaos and disastrous abysses. A dolphin with an anchor or a ship represents the church, and a dolphin pierced by a trident or chained to an anchor is Christ crucified on the cross.

Currently

At the end of the 20th century, ichthys became a popular symbol among Orthodox and Protestants in different countries. They place this sticker on cars.

Opponents of creationism began to parody this sign by sticking a fish sign with the word “Darwin” and small legs on their cars.

Notes

Links

Ichthys // Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron: in 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - St. Petersburg, 1890-1907.

As is known, in the Roman Empire in the first centuries the Church was subjected to severe persecution. Under these conditions, it was impossible not only to openly profess oneself as a Christian, but also to create images that directly spoke about faith. Therefore, in early Christian fine arts Various symbolic images appeared. They were a kind of secret writing, by which co-religionists could identify each other. An example of such secret writing is given by the Polish writer Henryk Sienkiewicz in his wonderful book “Kamo khryadeshi”. The novel begins with the fact that one noble Roman fell in love with a young beautiful girl who turned out to be a Christian. And so he tells how he found this girl drawing something in the sand:

– What did she draw in the sand? Is it not the name of Cupid, or a heart pierced by an arrow, or something else, from which you could understand that the satyrs were already whispering into this nymph’s ear some secrets of life? How could you not look at these signs!

“I put on my toga earlier than you think,” said Vinicius. - Until little Aulus came running, I carefully examined these signs. I know that in both Greece and Rome girls often draw confessions in the sand that their lips refuse to utter. But guess what she drew?

– If it’s something else, I probably won’t guess.

The girl was a Christian, and it was no coincidence that she drew this drawing. Indeed, fish is one of the most common designs in early Christian painting. And it symbolized not just anyone, but the Lord Jesus Christ himself. And the reason for this is ancient greek language. The fact is that in ancient Greek fish ὁ ἰχθύς (ihthys). Christians saw in this word a kind of acrostic (a poem in which the first letters of each line form a meaningful text) telling about Christ. Each letter of the “ancient Greek fish” was for them, accordingly, the first letter of other, very important words expressing the confession of the Christian faith: Ἰησοῦς Χριστός Jεοῦ Uἱός Sωτήρ. From ancient Greek to Russian it is translated as follows: Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Savior. Those. the ancients read the ancient Greek word ἰχθύς (fish) as an abbreviation for this phrase.

In general, the symbolism of fish is often used in the New Testament. For example, the Lord says: “Is there a man among you who, when his son asks him for bread, would give him a stone? and when he asks for a fish, would you give him a snake? If you, therefore, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him” (Matthew 7:9-11). According to many interpreters Holy Scripture, the image of the fish here symbolizes Christ as the true Bread of Life, and the snake symbolizes the devil. Therefore, for example, sometimes fish in early Christian painting were painted together with baskets filled with bread and wine. Those. this image had a Eucharistic meaning.

Christ also feeds a multitude of people, taking seven loaves of bread and “a few fish”: “And taking the seven loaves and fishes, he gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to his disciples, and the disciples to the people. And they all ate and were filled” (Matthew 15:36-37). In another similar miracle, there were five loaves and two fish (see: Matthew 14: 17–21).

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THE MEANING OF ANCIENT CHRISTIAN SYMBOLS,
DISPLAYED AROUND THE ST. ILINA TEMPLE.
The earliest Christian symbolic images date back to the first persecution of the Church in the Roman Empire.
Floor mosaics from the time of Constantine and Helena in the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

Then symbolism was used primarily as a cryptogram, secret writing, so that co-religionists could recognize each other in a hostile environment. However, the meaning of the symbols was entirely determined by religious experiences; thus it can be argued that they brought to us the theology of the early Church. Lamb, Cross, vine, basket of bread, cup, dove, Good Shepherd, lily, peacock, fish, phoenix, anchor, pelican, eagle, chrisma, rooster, lion, olive branch, alpha and omega - these are the most common early Christian symbols.

A mosaic floor with images of grape leaves and grapes carrying a Eucharistic meaning, complemented by images of Eucharistic cups and next to them pomegranate fruits - one of the variants of the fruits of the Tree of Life.

The symbolism of early Christian art is much deeper than simple encrypted images; these images were a kind of visual sermon for Christians, like the parables they resorted to biblical prophets and Jesus Christ often spoke in his conversations.
In 2012, during the improvement of the territory of Ilyinskaya Mountain, ancient Christian symbols were depicted with the help of decorative paving on the western and eastern, northern and southern sides of the St. Elias Church: lily, chrisma, fish and anchor. What do they mean?
Depicted in the decorative paving in front of the entrance to the temple, the lily is a symbol of innocence and purity, a symbol of a soul loving God. The Book of Song of Songs says that Solomon's Old Testament temple was decorated with lilies. According to legend, on the day of the Annunciation, Archangel Gabriel came to the Virgin Mary with a white lily, which has since become a symbol of Her purity, innocence and devotion to God. In the Middle Ages, saints glorified by the purity of their lives were depicted with the same flower. Among the first Christians, the lily represented martyrs who remained pure and faithful to Christ, despite severe persecution.
So we must enter the temple of the Lord with pure and meek hearts if we want to take part in Divine Liturgy and worthily partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ.

CHRISMA.

Chrisma or chrismon is a monogram of the word Christ, which means the Anointed One, Messiah, and which consists of the two initial Greek letters of this word “ΧΡΙΣΤὈΣ” - “Χ” (hee) and "Ρ" (ro), superimposed on one another. The Greek letters "a" and "ω" are sometimes placed along the edges of the monogram. This use of these letters goes back to the text of the Apocalypse: “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, says the Lord, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty” (Rev. 1:8) .
Coin of Emperor Magnentius with the image of a chrysma.

Christianity became widespread in epigraphy, on the reliefs of sarcophagi, in mosaics, including floor ones, and probably dates back to apostolic times. It is possible that its origin is connected with the words of the Apocalypse: "the seal of the living God" (Rev. 7:2). Greek name monograms "crisma" (proper “anointing”, “confirmation”) can be translated as "seal".
Monogram of Christ on the floor of the ancient Christian basilica of Chrysopolitissa.

Among the Slavic peoples, ancient Christian Christianity acquired a new meaning, becoming a symbol of the Incarnation or the Nativity of Christ, according to the first letters - “P” and “X” - its Slavic spelling.
Chrism on the south side of the St. Elias Church in Vyborg

FISH.

The fish is one of the earliest and most common Christian symbols. "Ichthys" (Ancient Greek Ἰχθύς - fish)- ancient acronym (monogram) name of Jesus Christ, consisting of the initial letters of the words: Ίησοὺς Χριστὸς Θεού Ὺιὸς Σωτήρ (Jesus Christ Son of God Savior), that is, expresses in brief form the confession of the Christian faith.
The New Testament connects the symbolism of fish with the preaching of the Disciples of Christ, some of whom were fishermen.
At the same time, Christians themselves were often depicted in a symbolic way - in the form of fish. One of the early Church Fathers, Tertullian, wrote: “We, little fish, following our Jesus Christ, are born in water (of grace) and only by remaining in it can we be unharmed.”
The symbolic image of a fish also has a Eucharistic meaning. In the oldest part of the Callista catacombs, researchers discovered a clear image of a fish carrying on its back a basket of bread and a vessel of wine. This is a Eucharistic symbol denoting the Savior, Who gives people the food of salvation, new life.
An ancient mosaic depicting a stupa with loaves and fishes, with which the Lord fed the suffering, is located in the Altar next to the sacred stone. On the stone, as some New Testament researchers suggest, the Savior stood when he blessed the fish and bread before feeding the people with them.

In other catacombs and on tombstones, the image of a fish is often found in combination with other symbols and means the saturation of the people in the desert with loaves and fishes (Mark 6:34-44, Mark 8:1-9), as well as the meal prepared by the Savior for the Apostles after His Resurrection (John 21:9-22) on the shore of Lake Tiberias.

Ancient Christian symbol of fish from the East
sides of the St. Elias Church in Vyborg

ANCHOR.

In early Christian art, the anchor was a symbol of hope. The source for the emergence of this image was the Epistle to the Jews by St. Apostle Paul, where can we find the following words: “God, desiring primarily to show the heirs of the promise the immutability of His will, used an oath as a means, so that ... we, who have come running to take hold of the hope set before us, may have firm consolation, which for the soul is like a safe and strong anchor, and enters into the innermost behind the veil, where the forerunner Jesus came in for us, becoming a High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek" (6:17-20). Thus, the anchor is for us an attribute of the personified hope of salvation in Christ Jesus from eternal death.
Floor mosaic of the Naval Cathedral.

An anchor as an ancient Christian symbol of hope from the northern side of the St. Elias Church in Vyborg.
Over time, the One Undivided Church of Christ, with its conciliar mind, the 82nd canon of the Sixth Ecumenical Council, rejected the image of the Lamb as a symbol of the Sacrifice of Christ: “On some honest icons, a lamb is depicted, shown by the finger of the Forerunner, which is accepted as the image of grace, through the law showing us the true the lamb, Christ our God. Honoring the ancient images and shadows devoted to the Church, as signs and foreshadowing of truth, we prefer grace and truth, accepting it as the fulfillment of the law. For this reason, so that by the art of painting the perfect thing may be presented to the eyes of all, we command from now on the image. the lamb who takes away the sins of the world, Christ our God, is represented on icons according to human nature, instead of the old lamb: and through this, contemplating the humility of God the Word, we are brought to the memory of His life in the flesh, His suffering, and saving death, and thus the accomplished redemption of the world ".
Also, by the 73rd rule of the same Council, the Church prohibited the depiction of the Life-giving Cross of Christ on earth: “Since the Life-giving Cross has shown us salvation, then it is fitting for us to use every diligence, so that due honor will be given to that through which we were saved from the ancient Fall. Therefore, Bringing veneration to him in thought, word, and feeling, we command that the images of the Cross, drawn by some on the ground, be completely blotted out, so that the sign of our victory will not be insulted by the trampling of those walking...”
But today, when modern means information, it would seem, provide inexhaustible opportunities for knowledge own Faith, out of nowhere, unfortunate “zealots” of their own ignorance appeared, who, from the inflammation of the still unresolved passions of their former life, began to blaspheme the ancient Christian symbols depicted on the four sides of the St. Elias Church, falsely claiming that their images on earth are prohibited by the 73rd rule of the Sixth Ecumenical cathedral However, as we can see from the text of this rule, the Church prohibits depicting only the Life-giving Cross of Christ on earth, without even hinting at other ancient Christian symbols. Moreover, this rule speaks specifically about the “Life-Giving Cross”, and not about any other, simple or decorative, cross of lines. Because of the three crosses found by Queen Helena, Equal-to-the-Apostles, only one, the Cross of Christ, was life-giving and worthy of worship. The other two crosses, among which was the cross of the prudent thief, who, according to the word of the Lord, was the first to enter the heavenly abodes, were not life-giving and were not an object of worship for the Church.
Again, if we see the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord in any crossroads of lines, we will be forced to refuse to use transport and roads that constantly intersect, as well as sidewalks that inevitably end pedestrian crossings at crossroads. At the same time, to the great joy of those who oppose our faith, we will be forced to jump like fleas, accidentally finding ourselves in the crosshairs of the seams of tile floors in public places.
Therefore, from ancient times, the Church, depicting the Life-giving Cross of the Lord, with two additional crossbars and the inscription on them indicates that this cross is not just a decorative cross of lines or ornaments, but is an image of the Life-giving Cross of Christ, by which we are saved “from the work of the enemy.”
As for other ancient Christian symbols, we repeat that the Church has never prohibited their depiction both on walls and on floors Christian churches, except during the shameful triumph of iconoclasm. Those who, being infected with proud conceit, contrary to the entire tradition of the One Undivided Church, are jealous of their ignorant opinions about the inadmissibility of depicting Christian symbols in Orthodox church building, not only on the walls, but also on the ground, are likened to the ancient Pharisees, who, instead of observing the fulfillment of the commandments God, they arbitrarily accepted to adhere to false piety: “Observe the washing of cups, pots, cauldrons and benches” (Mark 7:4).
And such people show themselves to be similar not only to the ancient Pharisees, but also to reveal themselves to be new iconoclasts, who, being infected with secret Manichaeism, forgot that everything was created "very good" (Gen. 1:31); and that we were created from the dust of the earth, which to this day we “trample” under our feet; and that the Lord, in His Holy Incarnation, took upon this our corporeality from the dust of the earth, joining it to His incorruptible Divinity; and that the Lord washed in His Sacraments not only our heads, but also our feet, which was clearly shown by the example of Peter (John 13:6-10); and that God is not only the God of Heaven, but also of earth (Rev. 11:4); and that on the day of Holy Epiphany we consecrate with holy agiasma not only the walls of our homes, but also “in all places, both stingy, and everywhere, even under our feet”; and that in the future age, the pre-radiance of which our churches are filled, “God will be all in all” (1 Cor. 15:28)- such people want to take away from us not just the splendor, but the wealth of grace-filled and saving symbols that fill our churches, likening them to the sad desolation of Protestant churches.
Moreover, if we follow the logic of these new iconoclasts, then episcopal services should be prohibited. Because the bishops of the Church at divine services stand on nothing other than eagles, which depict the ancient Christian symbol of an eagle in the radiance of grace and a city with holy temples, and which, if you believe the fables of the latter-day iconoclasts, are the primates local Churches in “shameful ignorance” of true piety they are “trodden underfoot.” But we know that where there is a bishop, there is the Church, and where there is no bishop, there is no Church. Why should we now leave the Church to please the new iconoclasts? Let this not happen!

The saddest thing is that such are false teachers, “not entering by the door into the sheepfold” (John 10:1), deceive the hearts of the simple-minded and sow division in the one Church Body. It will be useful for them to remember well and not to forget a completely different rule of the same Sixth Ecumenical Council, the 64th, which reads: “It is not proper for a layman to pronounce a word before the people, or to teach, and thus take upon himself the dignity of a teacher, but to obey a devotee.” from the Lord the rite, to open the ear of those who have received the grace of the teacher’s word, and from them to learn from the Divine. For in one Church God created different members, according to the word of the Apostle, which, when Gregory the Theologian explains, clearly shows the rite found in them, saying: this, brethren, let us honor the rite, Let us keep this one with the ear, and this one with the tongue, and let the other one teach, let him learn. let us serve with zeal. Let us not all be in tongues, if this is the closest thing, neither all as apostles, nor all as prophets, nor all as interpreters. And after certain words he also says: Why do you make yourself a shepherd, being a sheep? ? Why do you attempt to be a military commander, having been placed in the ranks of soldiers? And in another place wisdom commands: do not be quick in words; do not prostrate the poor with the rich; do not seek the wise, be the wisest. If anyone is found to be violating this rule: let him be excommunicated from church communion for forty days.”
Chairman of the Department of Religious Education and Catechesis
Vyborg diocese,
rector of St. Elias Church in Vyborg
Archpriest Igor Viktorovich Aksyonov.

The fish symbol can be found in ancient Christian images. What does the fish symbol mean in Christianity? In the Greek word ICHTHYS (fish), Christians of the ancient Church saw a mysterious acrostic composed of the first letters of a sentence expressing the confession of the Christian faith: Jesous Christos Theou Yios Soter - Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior. "If the first letters of these Greek words put together, you get the word ICHTHYS, that is, “fish”. The name of the fish mysteriously refers to Christ, because in the abyss of real mortality, as if in the depths of water, He could remain alive, that is. sinless"(Blessed Augustine. About the City of God. XVIII. 23.1).

Professor A.P. Golubtsov suggested: “This literal meaning of the word ICHTHYS was early noticed by Christian exegetes, and, probably, in Alexandria - this center of allegorical interpretation - it was first brought to light mysterious meaning this famous word" (From readings on church archeology and liturgics. St. Petersburg, 1995. P. 156).

However, it must be definitely said: not only the observation of a letter coincidence led to the fact that among the Christians of the Primitive Church, fish became a symbol of Jesus Christ. The consciousness of the ancient disciples of the Divine Savior undoubtedly found support for such an understanding in the Holy Gospel. The Lord says: Is there such a person among you who, when his son asks him for bread, would give him a stone? and when he asks for a fish, would you give him a snake? So if you, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him (Matthew 7:9-11).

The symbolism is clear and expressive: the fish points to Christ, and the serpent to the devil. When more than four thousand people were fed, the Lord performed a miracle of multiplying the loaves and fishes: And taking the seven loaves and fishes, he gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to his disciples, and the disciples to the people. And they all ate and were filled (Matthew 15:36–37). During another miracle of feeding the people, there were five loaves of bread and two fish (see: Matt. 14: 17–21).

The Eucharistic understanding of the first and second saturation is evidenced by the image made on the wall of one of the Roman catacombs of St. Callistus: a swimming fish holds on its back a wicker basket with five loaves and glass vessel with red wine underneath.

Ancient Christian writers did not limit themselves to the symbolic comparison of Jesus Christ with a fish. They extended this comparison to the followers of the Savior. Thus, Tertullian wrote: “ The sacrament of our water is life-giving, for, having washed away the sins of yesterday’s blindness with it, we are freed for eternal life!<…>We, fish, following our “fish” (ICHTHYS) Jesus Christ, are born in water, we preserve life only by remaining in water"(On baptism. 1.1).

Clement of Alexandria in his “Hymn to Christ the Savior” also compares the followers of Jesus Christ to fish:Eternal Joy of Life, Mortal Savior, Jesus, Shepherd, Plowman, Feeder, Bridle, Heavenly Wing of the holy flock! Fisher of men rescued from the sea of wickedness! Catching pure fish from a wave hostile to sweet life! Lead us sheep
Shepherd of the wise!"(Teacher. Conclusion)

Father Job Gumerov

As is known, in the Roman Empire in the first centuries the Church was subjected to severe persecution. Under these conditions, it was impossible not only to openly profess oneself as a Christian, but also to create images that directly spoke about faith. Therefore, various symbolic images appeared in early Christian fine art. They were a kind of secret writing, by which co-religionists could identify each other. An example of such secret writing is given by the Polish writer Henryk Sienkiewicz in his wonderful book “Kamo khryadeshi”. The novel begins with the fact that one noble Roman fell in love with a young beautiful girl who turned out to be a Christian. And so he tells how he found this girl drawing something in the sand:

– If it’s something else, I probably won’t guess.

The girl was a Christian, and it was no coincidence that she drew this drawing. Indeed, fish is one of the most common designs in early Christian painting. And it symbolized not just anyone, but the Lord Jesus Christ himself. And the reason for this is the ancient Greek language. The fact is that in ancient Greek fish ὁ ἰχθύς (ihthys). Christians saw in this word a kind of acrostic (a poem in which the first letters of each line form a meaningful text) telling about Christ. Each letter of the “ancient Greek fish” was for them, accordingly, the first letter of other, very important words expressing the confession of the Christian faith: Ἰ ησο ῦ ς Χριστός J ε ο ῦ U ἱ ός S ωτήρ . From ancient Greek to Russian it is translated as follows: Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Savior. Those. the ancients read the ancient Greek word ἰχθύς (fish) as an abbreviation for this phrase.

In general, the symbolism of fish is often used in the New Testament. For example, the Lord says: “Is there a man among you who, when his son asks him for bread, would give him a stone? and when he asks for a fish, would you give him a snake? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him.” (Matt 7:9–11). According to many interpreters of the Holy Scriptures, the image of the fish here symbolizes Christ as the true Bread of Life, and the snake symbolizes the devil. Therefore, for example, sometimes fish in early Christian painting were painted together with baskets filled with bread and wine. Those. this image had a Eucharistic meaning.

In addition, Christ calls the apostles, former fishermen, “fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19; Mark 1:17), and the Kingdom of Heaven as “a net cast into the sea and capturing fish of all kinds” (Matthew 13:47).

It is also interesting that the Fathers of the Church compared the Christians themselves, who followed the Savior into the “water”, to fish. eternal life" Here is what, for example, the early Christian writer Tertullian (2nd-3rd centuries after Christ) wrote: “The sacrament of our water is life-giving, for, having washed away the sins of yesterday’s blindness with it, we are freed for eternal life!<…>We, the fish, following our “fish” Jesus Christ, are born in water, and we preserve life only by remaining in the water” (“On Baptism.” 1.1).