Fish (Ichthus) as an Ancient Christian Symbol -- Early Christian Symbols of the Ancient Church

Fish (Ichthus) as an Early Christian Symbol

by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
Print this Page

The fish symbol is an ancient one in Christianity, representing both Jesus and his followers. Jesus had told Peter, "I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19). But the fish through an acrostic also became a symbol of Jesus himself. The ICHTHUS symbol helped Christians identify one another as believers.

Two fish and anchor in the catacomb of Domitilla in Rome. It is the epitaph for one named Antonia. Notice the presence of another important early church symbol -- the anchor -- located between the two fish. Another.

Anchor, fish, and Chi-Rho symbols from the Catacombs of St. Sebastian. Another.

Bread and Fish, Cubicle of the Sheep, Catacomb of Saint Callixtus, Rome, Italy. Colored fresco. In another place this is identified as "Eucharistic fish" with the basket of bread and glass of red wine (Crypts of Lucina, cubiculum Y, beginning of the third century). Another.

Mosaics of Fish

Mosaic of Fish, unknown location.

Mosaic of fish in the floor of Westminster Cathedral, UK.

ICHTHUS acrostic (fish) from the catacombs

The Greek name for "fish" is Ichthus, or in Greek characters ΙΧΘΥC. This formed an acrostic, each letter standing for a word: "Jesus Christ God Son Savior" -- an early Christian confession of faith. Found in the catacombs.

Mosaic of two fish in floor of an ancient church found October 2005, discovered in the grounds of the Megiddo prison, near the Biblical site of Armageddon. The ruins are believed to date back to the third or fourth century and include references to Jesus and images of fish.

Mosaic of fish, unknown location

Iscrizione di Teodoro, con pesce. Dice: " Viviamo in Dio". Roma catacomba di Priscilla

Ichthus Symbol (sometimes spelled Icthus)

Ichthus symbol , cross, chi-rho from Ephesus.
Good shepherd, Chi-Rho, swastika, anchor, fish, and ichthus from Catacombs of St. Sebastian, Rome

Іησους	Χριστος	Θεος	Υίος	Σωτηρ
JESUS	CHRIST	GOD	SON	SAVIOR
Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua which means "The Lord saves" .	Christ is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word Messiah. Jesus was the Christ, or the Messiah, promised to Israel and to the world.	Jesus is God	Jesus is also the Son of God	Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world
Matthew 1:20-21	Matthew 16:13-20	John 1:1-4	John 1:32-34	Romans 10:9-10

Early Christian Symbols of the Ancient Church