 |
Categories |
|
|
|
| Home : Christianity : Ichthys |
 Description: Ichthys (¹Ç¸Å in the Greek alphabet, also transliterated Ichthus, Icthus, Ikhthus, etc), is the Greek word for "fish". It refers to a symbol consisting of two intersecting arcs resembling the profile of a fish, used by the early Christians as a secret symbol and now known colloquially as the Jesus fish.
It is believed that societies of Christians in the early Roman Empire, prior to the Edict of Milan, protected their congregations by keeping their meetings secret. In order to point the way to ever-changing meeting places, they developed a symbol which adherents would readily recognize, and which they could scratch on rocks, walls and the like, in advance of a meeting. Another story suggests that the ichthys was used as a sort of secret handshake: one person would draw with a staff a single curve, (half of the ichthys) in the sand, and another person could confirm their identity as a Christian by completing the symbol.
There are several theories as to why the fish was chosen. It may relate to Jesus as a "fisher of men" or it may be an acronym relating the Greek letters ™§˜¥£ to the statement of Christian faith "Ἰ·Ã¿ῦ §Á¹ÃÄὸ ˜µ¿ῦ ¥ἱὸ £ÉÄήÁ" (Iesous Christos Theou Huios Soter meaning "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour").
Or it may simply be an adaptation of the mystic/mathematical symbol known as the Vesica Piscis. The length-height ratio of the vesica piscis, as expressed by the mystic, Pythagoras, is 153:265, a mystical number known as "the measure of the fish". In the biblical story in which Jesus aids his disciples to catch fish, as told by the Gospel of John, Jesus catches exactly 153 fish. It is thought by some scholars that the story is a coded reference to the Vesica Piscis.
The name Ichthys was associated also with Adonis, the central character in one of the 1st century mystery religions (specifically, the version used in Syria). Like many other mystery religions, the religion of Adonis adopted certain mystic aspects of Greek philosophy, which may have included the Vesica Piscis of Pythagoras.
Some theories about the Historicity of Jesus suggest that Christianity adopted certain beliefs and practices as syncretism of certain mystery religions, and this may be the origin of the Icthys into Christian circles.
Overlaying the letters in ™§˜¥£ results in an ichthys wheel like this one in .
Overlaying the letters in ™§˜¥£ results in an ichthys wheel like this one in Ephesus.
[edit]
Adaptations of the symbol
The ichthys symbol has been re-adopted by modern Christians as a badge, often with the word "JESUS" in the centre of the symbol. Applied to the rear bumper of the car, the symbol is used to indicate to the world that the owner is a Christian. Historically, this adaptation was based on an earlier symbol which included a fish with the Greek letters "™§˜¥£" or "¹Ç¸ÅÂ" or a small cross.
It is important to note that not all cars displaying this symbol do so for Christian reasons. Certain car manufacturers (for example some in the UK), use this symbol on certain brands of car. (for example, the Alfa Romeo)
This badge may also be seen in email signatures with the symbols "
|
| Resource Specification | | CustomTeaserText: | Ichthys (¹Ç¸Å in the Greek alphabet, also transliterated Ichthus, Icthus, Ikhthus, etc), is the Greek word for "fish". It refers to a symbol consisting of two intersecting arcs resembling the profile of a fish, used by the early Christians as a secret symbol and now known colloquially as the Jesus fish. | | Date Added: | 25pm31UTC_f2005Fri, 25 Mar 2005 21:20:38 +000003pm31 |
| Last Updated: | 25pm31UTC_f2005Fri, 25 Mar 2005 21:20:38 +000003pm31 | | Author: | admin |
Average Visitor Rating: Not Yet Rated
Average Member Rating: Not yet reviewed by any member...
You can be the first one to write a review for Ichthys! |
|
|
Visit Ichthys `s Website
Refer
Write a Review!
Report This Link
