The Origin of the Christian Fish Symbol

I've seen people display the fish symbol on the backs of their vehicles, on their key rings, worn as jewelry, and printed on clothing. These people display this fish to give everyone around them the idea that they are a Christian, follower of Jesus Christ. But do they know that this symbol has pagan roots?

This fish predates Christianity and stands for pagan fertility awareness and sexuality. Ichthys was the son of the ancient sea goddess Atargatis. Other mythic names given to this entity are Aphrodite, Tirgata, Delphine, or Pelagia. The Goddess Aphrodite Salacia, was worshiped on Friday, her sacred day. They ate fish and took part in orgies. The part of this ritual that was taken by the Christian church is the eating of fish on Friday. The word also means dolphin or womb. It has also been depicted as a mermaid.

The fish was also established in the Middle East with the goddess of Ephesus who covered her genital region with a fish amulet. There is also a tale of the fish that swallowed the penis of Osiris.

In India, the Goddess Kali was called the fish-eyed one. The fish symbol has been identified with reincarnation and the life force. There was one group in India that believed that a fish held the soul of a deceased person. As part of fertility, the fish is eaten in order to reincarnate the soul in a newborn child.

Celts and other European pagan cultures link the fish to fertility, sexuality, and birth. The fish symbol, long before Christianity, was known as the Great Mother. Fish deities and shrines have been found all over the region.

In the ancient world, there are many other symbolisms found for the fish. In China, the symbol of the fish stands for the Great Mother Kwan-yin. In Egypt, Isis was called the Great Fish of the Abyss. In Scandinavia, Freya, the Great Goddess was honored by the eating of fish. The 6th day of the week was called Friday after her. In the Mediterranean, mysterious religions used fish, wine, and bread for their sacramental meal. In Greece, the word delphos meant womb and fish.

The early Christian church adopted this symbol. Fish are mentioned in the gospels. What was the significance of fish? It was the main staple in the diet of the people of Galilee. So fishing was a big deal. Another request made in the gospels was to become "fishers" of men. What happened was that since the fish symbol was already so revered all throughout the Roman empire, Christian authorities took it over so they could lay claim to the power that the fish symbol had. They then revised the fish so that it had nothing to do with female genitalia or anything female at all. The sexual component was completely deleted. They kept the symbol's concept of eating fish on Friday and the association of the fish with a deity. This is not the first time that the Christian church steps up in a bold stand against the female. This is an ongoing concept within this religion.