Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Soul Invictus · 03-01-2004, 12:14 PM

I'm sure you're all familiar with the decal on the back of many cars with "Jesus Saves" or some sort of phrase on it. I am looking for information on the origin or adoption of this symbol into the Christian faith. I somehow suspect that the symbol stems from pagan or astrological influences, however I can't be sure. For some reason, Pisces comes to mind. I wanted to introduce the adoption of this symbol as another example or religious borrowing.

EGGO · 03-01-2004, 12:22 PM

I always thought it was when Jesus magically made many fish out of two...

Rhea · 03-01-2004, 12:56 PM

Don't forget to search on "yoni"

The Evil One · 03-01-2004, 02:07 PM

The official story is that it is because "ichthys", the Greek word for "fish", is an abbreviation for a religious phrase (Iesous CHristos something somehting something).

Thoguh there's quite a lot to be said for the vagina theories too.

nermal · 03-01-2004, 02:16 PM

I'd always heard it was a symbol used by christians to recognize other christians on the sly, to avoid persecution or some such. It was derived from the similarity between Jesus Christ in Greek, and fish in Greek.
It was like a secret handshake or something. Others will undoubtedly give more specific information.

Ed

Mathetes · 03-01-2004, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Evil One
The official story is that it is because "ichthys", the Greek word for "fish", is an abbreviation for a religious phrase (Iesous CHristos something somehting something).

The Greek sentence is Ιησους Χριστος Θεου Υιος Σωτερ. This means "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour".

Take the first letter of each word in the sentence, and you get ΙΧΘΥΣ or ιχθυς in lowercase, which means "fish".

Cute, isn't it?

Magus55 · 03-01-2004, 04:00 PM

Nermal is correct. During Roman days, Christians were persecuted so instead of wearing a cross, they created a secret symbol to distinguish themselves without drawing attention.

Starboy · 03-01-2004, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Magus55
Nermal is correct. During Roman days, Christians were persecuted so instead of wearing a cross, they created a secret symbol to distinguish themselves without drawing attention.

Was this because people of the time confused this symbol with the local brothel?

Starboy

Derec · 03-01-2004, 04:50 PM

Something Fishy

... and ...

http://prodtn.cafepress.com/0/7241170_F_tn.jpg

UMoC

[edited to make the pic a link.. I liked it.. take a look if you're an adult.. thanks. -Krosis GRD mod.]

Postcard73 · 03-01-2004, 07:00 PM

I think this thread is more concerned with xian customs than the Bible, so I'm gonna move it to GRD...

Scott (Postcard73)
BC&H Moderator

03-01-2004, 12:14 PM	#1
Soul Invictus Contributor Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 15,576	Origin of "the Fish" I'm sure you're all familiar with the decal on the back of many cars with "Jesus Saves" or some sort of phrase on it. I am looking for information on the origin or adoption of this symbol into the Christian faith. I somehow suspect that the symbol stems from pagan or astrological influences, however I can't be sure. For some reason, Pisces comes to mind. I wanted to introduce the adoption of this symbol as another example or religious borrowing.

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03-01-2004, 12:22 PM	#2
EGGO Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Amerrka Posts: 688	I always thought it was when Jesus magically made many fish out of two...

03-01-2004, 12:56 PM	#3
Rhea Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Recluse Posts: 9,040	Don't forget to search on "yoni"

03-01-2004, 02:07 PM	#4
The Evil One Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: England Posts: 2,561	The official story is that it is because "ichthys", the Greek word for "fish", is an abbreviation for a religious phrase (Iesous CHristos something somehting something). Thoguh there's quite a lot to be said for the vagina theories too.

03-01-2004, 02:16 PM	#5
nermal Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,969	I'd always heard it was a symbol used by christians to recognize other christians on the sly, to avoid persecution or some such. It was derived from the similarity between Jesus Christ in Greek, and fish in Greek. It was like a secret handshake or something. Others will undoubtedly give more specific information. Ed

03-01-2004, 04:00 PM	#7
Magus55 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: USA Posts: 7,204	Nermal is correct. During Roman days, Christians were persecuted so instead of wearing a cross, they created a secret symbol to distinguish themselves without drawing attention.

03-01-2004, 04:50 PM	#9
Derec Contributor Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 15,686	Something Fishy ... and ... http://prodtn.cafepress.com/0/7241170_F_tn.jpg UMoC [edited to make the pic a link.. I liked it.. take a look if you're an adult.. thanks. -Krosis GRD mod.]

03-01-2004, 07:00 PM	#10
Postcard73 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Roanoke, VA. Posts: 2,198	I think this thread is more concerned with xian customs than the Bible, so I'm gonna move it to GRD... Scott (Postcard73) BC&H Moderator

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