|
Home / Religion and Spirituality / Christianity
The Christian Fish
By:Mike Fletcher
The Christian fish symbol, known as the Ichthus dates back to as early as the first and second century A.D. The symbol is not just a sticker that people put on their bumpers or a charm on a necklace, it has a much deeper meaning and is very significant to both early Christians and the Christians of today.
Ichthus, also spelled ichthys is the Greek word for fish. The spelling in Greek is IXOYE for Iota, Chi, Theta, Upsilon, and Sigma which mean Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.
At the time the Ichthus first started being used, the cross was not used as a Christian symbol. The fish became a natural religious symbol to be used by Christians as fish was a common food of the day and fish was often used by Jesus in His ministry.
Some Biblical examples of Jesus using or referring to fish:
* Matthew 12:40 "...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."
* Matthew 14:17 "And they said to Him, 'We have here only fives loaves and two fish."
* Mark 1:17 "Come after Me, and I will make you become fishers of men."
* Luke 5:6 "And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking."
* Luke 24:42 "So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb."
* John 21:6 "And He said to them, 'Cast the Net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.' So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish."
During these early days, Christians were often put to death for practicing their faith. Because of this threat they were forced to worship in secret places. The Ichthus was often written as graffiti, and was used by Christians as a password in the times of Christian persecution by the Romans. The symbol was used as a means of identification and to designate a place for Christians to gather. A fish painted on the outside of a door on a house let other Christians know that they could be safe and would be welcomed inside.
Today, the Ichthus is making a comeback. It is often seen on stickers, t-shirts, jewelry, business logos, and more. It is even being used in emails and signatures by typing a left pointing arrow, a right pointing arrow, and then another left pointing arrow. Often, the inside, or the body of the fish is empty. Other times the word Jesus or the Greek letters ICTUS are found inside the middle of the fish.
Digg
del.icio.us
Blink
Stumble
Spurl
Reddit
Netscape
Furl
Article keywords: Christian, Jesus, faith, christian fish, ichthus
Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com
The author is publisher of the Online Christian Shopper Christian clothing and jewelry Web portal.
|
|
| Top Christianity Articles |
- 1). Christmas in Your Heart By : Saleem Rana
What would happen if you got carried away with the spirit of Christmas? Who knows, you might just change the world. Find out how.
|
|
|
- 3). Change Leads to Power! By : Ann Stewart
When the Lord requires you to change your lifestyle, He not only gives you the power to do so, but the result is a much more powerful you!
|
- 4). Christian Time Warp By : Olga Moe
If Holy Spirit transcends the trappings of time and space, then why are some Christians still talking about slaves, warriors, battles,and conquering nations?
|
- 5). Church On the Run By : Beverly Vines-Haines
The American church is going AWOL. One family, one pastor, one person at a time, people are walking away. These departures have gone largely unnoticed, but there is an exodus and it is well underway. Christianity is not for sissies.
|
|
|
|
|
- 8). Be Courageous! By : Ann Stewart
"Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest."
|
- 9). A Phenomenal Global Trend By : Peter Capili Haahr Hansen
And the search goes on Loneliness, emptiness, suffering, sorrow, sickness, fear, despair, war and poverty the list goes on. These may be some of the struggles many of us face each day. No matter where you are in the world, what you do or who you are, the imperfections of life have their way of getting to you. However, the greatest battle one faces is
|
|
|
| New Christianity Articles |
- 1). The Christian Exodus By : eileen fleming
A House Resolution currently being circulated "condemning the persecution of Palestinian Christians by the Palestinian Authority" but neglects to address the real reasons for the Christian exodus from the Holy Land.
|
|
|
|
|
- 4). How To Use The Conquering Power Of Love By : Saleem Rana
Envision if meeting YOU was a transformative experience. Strangers would automatically pick up on your vibration of joy and forgiveness. They would, in fact, become aware of their own spiritual essence, which is pure and unsullied by the world. And you would not have spoken a word. They would just KNOW.
|
|
|
- 6). Hidden Agendas, Aliens, and The N.W.O By : Dana Smith
Discusses the biblical standpoint on Aliens, abductions, and what exists under the earth. These entitites are seen by many who call themselves Christians. This article shows biblical evidence as to what the scripture says about this.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
