As is known, in the Roman Empire in the first centuries the Church was subjected to severe persecution. Under these conditions, it was impossible not only to openly profess oneself as a Christian, but also to create images that directly spoke about faith. Therefore, in early Christian fine arts Various symbolic images appeared. They were a kind of secret writing by which co-religionists could identify each other. An example of such secret writing is given by the Polish writer Henryk Sienkiewicz in his wonderful book “Camo Coming.” The novel begins with the fact that one noble Roman fell in love with a young beautiful girl who turned out to be a Christian. And so he tells how he found this girl drawing something in the sand:
– What did she draw in the sand? Is it not the name of Cupid, or a heart pierced by an arrow, or something else, from which you could understand that the satyrs were already whispering into this nymph’s ear some secrets of life? How could you not look at these signs!
“I put on my toga earlier than you think,” said Vinicius. - Until little Aulus came running, I carefully examined these signs. I know that in both Greece and Rome girls often draw confessions in the sand that their lips refuse to utter. But guess what she drew?
– If it’s something else, I probably won’t guess.
The girl was a Christian, and it was no coincidence that she drew this drawing. Indeed, fish is one of the most common designs in early Christian painting. And it symbolized not just anyone, but the Lord Jesus Christ himself. And the reason for this is the ancient Greek language. The fact is that in ancient Greek fish ὁ ἰχθύς (ihthys). Christians saw in this word a kind of acrostic (a poem in which the first letters of each line form a meaningful text) telling about Christ. Each letter of the “ancient Greek fish” was for them, respectively, the first letter of others, very important words, expressing the confession of the Christian faith: Ἰ ησο ῦ ς Χριστός J ε ο ῦ U ἱ ός S ωτήρ . From ancient Greek to Russian it is translated as follows: Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Savior. Those. the ancients read the ancient Greek word ἰχθύς (fish) as an abbreviation for this phrase.
In general, the symbolism of fish is often used in the New Testament. For example, the Lord says: “Is there a man among you who, when his son asks him for bread, would give him a stone? and when he asks for a fish, would you give him a snake? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him.” (Matthew 7:9–11). According to many interpreters Holy Scripture, the image of the fish here symbolizes Christ as the true Bread of Life, and the snake symbolizes the devil. Therefore, for example, sometimes fish in early Christian painting were painted together with baskets filled with bread and wine. Those. this image had a Eucharistic meaning.
Christ also feeds a multitude of people, taking seven loaves of bread and “a few fish”: “And taking the seven loaves and fishes, he gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to his disciples, and the disciples to the people. And they all ate and were filled” (Matthew 15:36-37). In another similar miracle, there were five loaves and two fish (see: Matthew 14: 17–21).
In addition, Christ calls the apostles, former fishermen, “fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19; Mark 1:17), and the Kingdom of Heaven as “a net cast into the sea and capturing fish of all kinds” (Matthew 13:47).
It is also interesting that the Fathers of the Church compared the Christians themselves, who followed the Savior into the “water”, to fish. eternal life" Here is what, for example, the early Christian writer Tertullian (2nd-3rd centuries after Christ) wrote: “The sacrament of our water is life-giving, for, having washed away the sins of yesterday’s blindness with it, we are freed for eternal life!<…>We, the fish, following our “fish” Jesus Christ, are born in water, and we preserve life only by remaining in the water” (“On Baptism.” 1.1).
When visiting churches and opening church books, we are faced with a large amount of all kinds of religious symbolism, the meaning of which is sometimes not entirely clear. This is especially noticeable when you have to look at icons, as well as frescoes, paintings or engravings created on biblical subjects many centuries ago. To understand their secret language, let's look at some of their most commonly used symbols and talk about their origins.
Secret signs of the first Christians
The earliest christian symbols found on the walls of the Roman catacombs, where followers of the teachings of Jesus Christ, in an atmosphere of severe persecution by the authorities, secretly performed divine services. These images are different from those that we are used to seeing on the walls of our temples today. Ancient Christian symbols had the character of secret writing that united fellow believers, and yet they already contained a very definite theological meaning.
Christians of the first centuries did not know icons in the form in which they exist today, and on the walls of the catacombs they did not depict the Savior Himself, but only symbols expressing certain aspects of his essence. A careful study of them reveals the full depth of the theology of the early Church. Among the most frequently encountered images are the Good Shepherd, the Lamb, baskets of bread, vines and many other symbols. Somewhat later, already in V-VI centuries, when Christianity from a sect persecuted by the authorities turned into a state religion, the Cross was added to them.
Christian symbols and their meanings, obscure to the catechumens, that is, people who have not yet been initiated into the meaning of the teaching and have not accepted Holy Baptism, were a kind of visual preaching for Church members. They became a continuation of those he pronounced in front of crowds of listeners, but the meaning of which he revealed only to a close circle of his students.
The first symbolic images of the Savior
One of the earliest symbolic subjects of catacomb painting is the scene of the “Adoration of the Magi.” Researchers have discovered twelve such frescoes dating back to the 2nd century, that is, executed approximately a century after the events described in the Gospel. They contain a deep theological meaning. The Eastern sages who came to worship the Nativity of the Savior seem to testify to the prediction of his appearance by the ancient prophets and symbolize the inextricable connection between the Old and New Testaments.
Around the same period, an inscription appeared on the walls of the catacombs in Greek letters ΙΧΘΥΣ (translated as “fish”). In Russian reading it sounds like “Ichthys”. This is an acronym, that is, a stable type of abbreviation that has acquired an independent meaning. It is formed from the initial letters of the Greek words that make up the expression “Jesus Christ the Son of God the Savior,” and it contains the basic symbol of the Christian faith, later set out in detail in the documents of Nicaea Ecumenical Council, which took place in 325 in Asia Minor. The Good Shepherd, as well as Ichthys, are considered the first images of Jesus Christ in the art of the early Christian period.
It is interesting to note that in early Christian symbolism this acronym, denoting the Son of God who descended into the world, actually corresponded to the image of a fish. Scientists find several explanations for this. Usually they point to the disciples of Christ, many of whom were originally fishermen. In addition, they remember the words of the Savior that the Kingdom of Heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, in which fish of various kinds find themselves. This also includes numerous Gospel episodes related to fishing and feeding the hungry (hungry) with it.
What is Chrism?
The symbols of Christian teaching also include such a very common sign as “Christism”. It appeared, as is commonly believed, back in apostolic times, but became widespread from the 4th century, and is an image of the Greek letters Χ and Ρ, which are the beginning of the word ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ, which means Messiah or Anointed of God. Often, in addition to them, the Greek letters α (alpha) and ω (omega) were placed on the right and left, reminiscent of the words of Christ that he is Alpha and Omega, that is, the beginning and end of all things.
Images of this sign are often found on coins, in mosaic compositions, as well as on reliefs that decorated sarcophagi. A photo of one of them is given in the article. In Russian Orthodoxy, Christianity has acquired a slightly different meaning. The letters X and P are deciphered as the beginning of the Russian words Christ was Born, which made this sign a symbol of the Incarnation. In the design of modern churches it is found as often as other most famous Christian symbols.
The cross is a symbol of Christ's faith
Strange as it may seem, the first Christians did not worship the Cross. The main symbol of the Christian faith became widespread only in the 5th century. The first Christians did not make images of him. However, after its appearance, within a short time it became a mandatory part of every temple, and then the body symbol of a believer.
It should be noted that on the most ancient crucifixes Christ was depicted alive, dressed in robes, and often crowned with a royal crown. Moreover, He was usually given a triumphant appearance. nails, as well as the wounds and blood of the Savior appeared only in images dating back to the 9th century, that is, during the late Middle Ages.
The Lamb who became the atoning sacrifice
Many Christian symbols originate from their Old Testament prototypes. Among them is another image of the Savior, made in the form of a Lamb. It contains one of the fundamental dogmas of religion about the sacrifice made by Christ to atone for human sins. Just as in ancient times a lamb was given to the slaughter to propitiate God, so now the Lord himself laid His only begotten Son on the altar to deliver people from the burden of original sin.
In early Christian times, when followers of the new faith were forced to observe secrecy, this symbol was very convenient in that only initiates could understand its meaning. For everyone else, it remained a harmless image of a lamb, which could be applied anywhere without hiding.
However, at the Sixth, held in 680 in Constantinople, this symbol was banned. Instead, it was prescribed to give Christ an exclusively human appearance in all images. The explanation stated that in this way greater compliance with historical truth would be achieved, as well as simplicity in its perception by believers. From this day the history of the iconography of the Savior began.
The same council issued another decree that has not lost force to this day. It was forbidden to make any images based on this document Life-giving Cross on the ground. The explanation quite logically and sensibly stated that it is unacceptable to trample under foot that which, thanks to which we were all delivered from the curse that weighed on humanity after the original Fall.
Lily and anchor
There are also Christian symbols and signs generated by Holy Tradition and Scripture. One of them is a stylized image of a lily. Its appearance is due to the fact that, according to legend, the Archangel Gabriel, appearing to the Virgin Mary with the good news of her great destiny, held this particular flower in his hand. Since then, the white lily has become a symbol of the purity of the Blessed Virgin.
This became the reason that in medieval icon painting it became a tradition to depict saints with a lily in their hands, famous for the purity of their lives. The same symbol dates back to pre-Christian times. One of the Old Testament books, called “Song of Songs,” says that the temple of the great King Solomon was decorated with lilies, which connected this flower with the image of a wise ruler.
When considering Christian symbols and their meanings, it is also necessary to remember the image of an anchor. It came into use thanks to the words of the Apostle Paul from his Epistle to the Hebrews. In it, the champion of the true faith likens the hope of fulfillment to a safe and strong anchor, invisibly connecting the members of the Church with the Kingdom of Heaven. As a result, the anchor became a symbol of hope for the salvation of the soul from eternal death, and its image can often be found among other Christian symbols.
Image of a dove in Christian symbolism
As mentioned above, the content of Christian symbols should often be sought among biblical texts. In this regard, it is appropriate to recall the image of a dove, which has a double interpretation. In the Old Testament, he was given the role of bearer of the good news when, with an olive branch in his beak, he returned to Noah's ark, signaling that the waters of the flood had receded and the danger had passed. In this context, the dove became a symbol of prosperity within the framework of not only religious, but also symbolism generally accepted throughout the world.
On the pages of the New Testament, the dove becomes a visible personification of the Holy Spirit who descended on Christ at the moment of His baptism in the Jordan. Therefore in Christian tradition his image acquired precisely this meaning. The dove symbolizes the third hypostasis of the one God - the Holy Trinity.
Images symbolizing the four evangelists
TO Old Testament, or rather, the Psalter, which makes up one of his books, includes the image of an eagle, symbolizing youth and strength. The basis for this was the words attributed to King David and contained in the hundred and second psalm: “Your youth will be renewed like an eagle.” It is no coincidence that the eagle became the symbol of the Apostle John, the youngest of the evangelists.
It would also be appropriate to mention Christian symbols designating the authors of the other three canonical Gospels. The first of them - the Evangelist Matthew - corresponds to the image of an angel, embodying the image of the messianic destiny of the Son of God, sent into the world for its salvation. Evangelist Mark follows him. Next to him it is customary to depict a lion, symbolizing the royal dignity of the Savior and His power. The third evangelist (the word “Gospel” translated means “good news”) is the evangelist Luke. He is accompanied by a sacrificial lamb or calf, emphasizing the redemptive significance of the earthly ministry of the Son of God.
These symbols of the Christian religion are invariably found in paintings Orthodox churches. Usually they can be seen placed on four sides of the vault supporting the dome, in the center of which, as a rule, the Savior is depicted. In addition, they, along with the image of the Annunciation, traditionally decorate the Royal Doors.
Symbols whose meaning is not always clear
Often, visitors to Orthodox churches are surprised by the image of a six-pointed star found in them - the same as on the state one. It would seem, what connection can Orthodox Christian symbols have with this purely Jewish sign? In fact, there is nothing surprising here - the six-pointed star in this case only emphasizes the connection of the New Testament Church with its Old Testament predecessor, and has nothing to do with politics.
By the way, let us remember in passing that it is also an element of Christian symbolism. IN last years it is often used to decorate the tops of Christmas and New Year trees. She is intended to depict the one who on Christmas night showed the wise men the way to the cave in which the Savior was born.
And one more symbol that raises questions. At the base of the crosses crowning the domes of Orthodox churches, you can often see a crescent moon placed in a horizontal position. Since it itself belongs to Muslim religious attributes, such a composition is often misinterpreted, giving it an expression of the triumph of Christianity over Islam. In reality this is not the case.
The crescent lying horizontally in this case is a symbolic image christian church, which is given the image of a ship or canoe carrying believers through the stormy waters of the sea of life. By the way, this symbol is also one of the earliest, and it can be seen in one form or another on the walls of the Roman catacombs.
Christian symbol of the Trinity
Before talking about this important section of Christian symbolism, we should focus on the fact that, unlike the pagan triads, which always included three independent and separately “existing” deities, the Christian Trinity represents the unity of its three hypostases, inseparable from each other, but not merged into a single whole. God is one in three persons, each of which reveals one aspect of His essence.
In accordance with this, starting from the period of early Christianity, symbols were created designed to visually embody this trinity. The most ancient of them are images of three intertwining rings or fish. They were discovered on the walls of Roman catacombs. They can be considered the earliest for the reason that the dogma of the Holy Trinity itself, having appeared only at the end of the 2nd century, was developed in the next century, and was officially enshrined in the documents of the Council of Nicaea in 325, which was already mentioned above.
Also among the elements of symbolism meaning the Holy Trinity, although they appeared, as is commonly believed, somewhat later, one should include an equilateral triangle, sometimes surrounded by a circle. Like all other Christian symbols, it has a deep meaning. In this case, not only His infinity is emphasized. Often inside it is placed an image of an eye, or rather, the eye of God, indicating that the Lord is all-seeing and omnipresent.
The history of the Church also knows symbols of the Holy Trinity that were more complex in design, appearing in certain periods. But always and in all images there were invariably present elements indicating the unity and at the same time non-fusion of its three constituent elements. They can often be seen in the design of many currently operating churches - both eastern and those belonging to the western directions of Christianity.
Instructions
Proponents of the first theory argue that the fish was chosen as a symbol of the new faith and an identifying mark among the early Christians, since the Greek spelling of this word is an acronym for the main tenet of the Christian faith. “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior” - this was and remains to this day the creed of Christianity, and the first of these words in Greek (Ἰησοὺς Χριστὸς Θεoὺ ῾Υιὸς Σωτήρ) form the word Ίχθύς, “ichthys”, “ fish." According to this theory, early Christians, depicting the sign of the fish, professed their faith and at the same time recognized their fellow believers. In Henryk Sienkiewicz’s novel “Quo vadis” there is a scene in which the Greek Chilon tells the patrician Petronius exactly this version of the origin of the fish sign as a symbol of Christians.
According to another theory, the sign of fish among the early Christians was a symbolic designation of followers of the new faith. This statement is based on frequent references to fish in the sermons of Jesus Christ, as well as in His personal conversations with his disciples, later the apostles. He metaphorically calls people in need of salvation fish, and the future apostles, many of whom were former fishermen, “fishers of men.” “And Jesus said to Simon: Do not be afraid; from now on you will catch men” (Gospel of Luke 5: 10) The “Fisherman’s Ring” of the Pope, one of the main attributes of the vestment, has the same origin.
Biblical texts also claim that only fish survived the Great Flood, sent by God for the sins of people, not counting those who took refuge in the Ark. At the beginning of the era, history repeated itself, Greco-Roman civilization was experiencing a monstrous crisis of morality, and a new Christian faith was called upon to become the saving and at the same time cleansing waters of the new “spiritual” flood. “The kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind” (Gospel of Matthew 13:47).
Also worthy of attention is the theory that fish became a symbol of Christianity due to its main, food function. The new creed primarily spread among the most oppressed part of the population. For these people, simple food like fish was the only salvation from starvation. This is precisely what some researchers see as the reason why fish has become a symbol of salvation from spiritual death, the bread of new life and the promise of life after death. As evidence, supporters of this theory cite numerous images in the Roman catacombs in places of ritual, where fish acted as a Eucharistic symbol.
Most fish have large and Round eyes, but they are constructed completely differently from those of other animals. This raises the question of how well and how fish are able to see.
Instructions
Fish vision is designed in such a way that they can easily see colors and even distinguish shades. Nevertheless, they see things a little differently, from the abodes of land. When looking up, fish are able to see everything without distortion, but if to the side, straight or at an angle, it is distorted due to the media of water and air.
Maximum visibility for occupants water element does not exceed 10–12 meters in clear water. Often this distance is reduced even further due to the presence of plants, changes in water color, increased turbidity, etc. Fish distinguish objects most clearly at a distance of up to 2 meters. Due to the peculiarity of the structure of the eyes, when swimming to the surface of the water, fish begin to see objects as if through.
Predators living in clear waters- grayling, trout, asp, pike. Some species that feed on bottom organisms and plankton (bream, catfish, eel, pike perch, etc.) have special light-sensitive elements in the retina that can distinguish weak light rays. Due to this, they can see quite well in the dark.
Being near the shore, the fish hear the fisherman very well, but do not see him due to the refraction of the ray of vision. This makes them vulnerable, so a big role
Fish is a very important symbol in Christianity. We, in Galilee, are full of fish and their images. And this has been going on for a very long time. Here in the photo is an image of fish at the altar of the 5th century church at Tabgha on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee.
The image of a fish is both an element of landscape design and an illustration of gospel events.
Fish in the New Testament symbolizes Christ's disciples, eight of whom were fishermen. Matthew and Mark say that Jesus promised Peter and Andrew to make them “fishers of men” (Matt. 4:19, Mark 1:17), and likened the Kingdom of Heaven to “a net that was cast into the sea and captured fish of all kinds” (Matt. 13:47).
Here he is, Peter, the successor of Jesus, with the staff received from the Teacher and a hefty fish. The statue is installed in Capernaum.
And Christ’s feeding of five thousand people with five loaves and two fish is one of the most famous gospel miracles. There are four loaves in the basket, because the fifth is on the altar. And the fish are exactly the same as those found in the lake now. And it's called St. Peter's fish.
In addition, the fish is a symbol of Christ Himself. The Greek for fish is ichthys, which is an abbreviation of the Greek phrase “Jesus Christ the Son of God the Savior” (ΙΧΘΥΣ). Here they are, these Greek letters, on a green background.
Fish is also a symbol of Baptism. The font in which baptism took place was called “piscina” in Latin, which means “fish tank.” This font, carved from one huge stone, is from the fifth century.
The fish became a symbol of Christianity long before the cross. And no wonder, because the cross symbolized a terrible and humiliating execution. It was only in the fourth century, when crucifixion was abolished, that the cross began to take on its current meaning. For some time these two symbols were equivalent.
The first Christians depicted fish in their letters, in temples and catacombs, on clothes and utensils. And today fish is an element of church decor.
But these three fish with one common head are an ancient symbol of the Trinity. Unmerged and inseparable.
Fish is a symbol of fertility. Each fish produces huge offspring. And this is also symbolic. In the same way, from a small group of apostles grew the largest world religion, with over two billion adherents. In Christianity, fish is also considered a symbol of selflessness.
Before we talk about the very first and most common symbol of Christianity - the fish 🐟, let's tell a little about symbols in general.
Our workshop is increasingly faced with a situation where people ask how this or that product with a Christian symbol can help them, what to protect them from, or even what power it has. Fortunately, Christianity is free from the “power of things.” Only our faith in Christ: it is she who can protect us, and protect us, and help us in every matter.
Many more confuse some Christian symbols with zodiac signs - and, for example, want to buy our “Taurus pendant”. But we don't have one. We have lamb, which, indeed, someone may confuse with a Taurus - but this is a completely different story and completely different meanings.
And some people think like this: “The only difference is in cultures, and so, zodiacs, Christian and any other signs are all the same!” Sorry, but we strongly disagree here. The only thing that this topic has in common is that people of all times, peoples and cultures tend to clothe certain ideas in symbols. Of course, when everyone mentions olympic games the famous emblem will appear before your eyes. What about the heroes of children's fairy tales and cartoons? They are all symbolic too! This is because symbols surround us always and everywhere.
And it is not surprising that as soon as Christianity was born, Christian symbols also appeared. And the very first of them was - fish. In Greek ichthys. This word is written as ΙΧΘΥΣ - and this is the ancient monogram of the name Jesus Christ, which is made up of the first letters in words Jesus Christ God's Son Savior.
Even before body crosses, the first Christians wore mother-of-pearl and stone fish to identify each other. The symbol of fish is found very often in the Gospel: Christ multiplies fish to feed the hungry, makes sure that the catch is rich, mentions fish in parables, and finally eats fish with his disciples after His resurrection. Many of Christ's disciples were fishermen. The Lord himself calls his disciples fishers of men, and likens the Kingdom of Heaven to a net thrown into the sea and capturing fish of all kinds.
In the lives of early Christians, depicting and mentioning Christ was dangerous due to persecution. Therefore, people created various symbolic codes. To identify in stranger of his fellow believer, one Christian drew an arc on the ground and waited for the stranger to complete his drawing. And if he drew a second arc, forming the sign of the fish, then these two people could calmly talk to each other about Christ the Savior.
Images of the acronym ΙΧΘΥΣ or symbolizing it fish appear in the Roman catacombs in 2nd century. It could be just text, a fish, or all three. Fish carrying wine and bread on its back, symbolized Sacrament of Communion. Also symbolized the Savior dolphin. And the image dolphin with anchor symbolized the crucifixion (where the Church was the anchor). Also fish is a symbol baptism. The bath, the font where the sacrament of baptism is performed, is called in Latin piscina and is translated literally - "fish tank".
Fish is part of the decoration of temples. Often today, car drivers stick the ichthys symbol on their cars. What do we do with it? the oldest symbol decorations. After all, being present in our lives, he reminds us of the most important thing.
