Ichthys - meaning of the Christian fish
March 8, 2023
Meaning of the word ichthus or ichthys
The word ἰχθύς (ikhthū́s) comes from the Greek (1 AD Koine Greek pronunciation) and means “fish”. This word is an acronym or acrostic. An acrostic is a word compounded by the beginning of the first letter of each word in a phrase. In this case the combination of letters was as following:
ἰχθύς (ἸΧΘΥΣ)
Ἰησοῦς Χρῑστός Θεοῦ Υἱός Σωτήρ”, Iēsoûs Khrīstós, Theoû Huiós, Sōtḗr
Which translates to:
‘Jesus Christ son of God.’
Early references
The earliest literary reference to the symbolic fish is made by Clement of Alexandria, born about 150 who recommends his readers (Pwdagogus, III, xi) to have their seals engraved with a dove or a fish.
A fish was also depicted in the Sacrament Chapels of the catacomb of St. Callistus, the catacombs were the official cemetery of the Church of Rome in the 3rd century AD. Around half a million Christians were buried there, among them many martyrs and 16 popes.
Fish symbol at the Catacomb of St. Callistus
Other monuments like the Capella Greca (greek chapel) in the Catacomb of Priscilla in Rome, Italy and the Capella of St. Sebastian also present graphic depictions of a fish.
Catacomb of St. Priscilla - Ichthus as an ancient Christian symbol
Biblical references
Fish are mentioned several times in the bible and are given symbolic meaning.
“Come and follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19
As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” Mark 1:16-17
The miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fish found in the gospels of John, Matthew and Luke.
The repast of the seven Disciples, after the Resurrection. John 21:1-14
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