ICHTHUS

Where did the fish symbol for Christianity come from?




Some people might think it comes from Christ instruction to be fishers of men (Mark 1:17).  Or possibly from some reference to the multiplication of the loaves and fish (John 6, Mark 8). This, however, is not the case.


The Greek word for fish is ICHTHUS. This is an acronym for Jesus. Iesous CHristos THeou Uios Soter - this translates as "Jesus Christ, Son of God , Saviour."


The story goes that during the persecution of Christians in the early Church, a Christian might draw the upper arch of the fish with his foot in the dirt as a test.  If the person he was with drew the bottom arch, completing the fish, then he was also a Christian.  

Above: Ancient Christian ichthys carved into marble in the ruins of Ephesus, Turkey.