Byzantine, Gothic and
Early Renaissance
paintings are rich in
philosophical and
Christian symbolism
regarding fish.
The Fish is a very early Christian symbol
used from the first century. The Greek word for fish, Ichthys, upon
which a rebus ( word puzzle which uses pictures to represent
words or parts of words) was created, is derived from the first letters
of Greek words meaning "Jesus Christ, son of God, Savior."
Fish depicted in the
Carolingian,
Byzantine and
Gothic art periods are sometimes symbolic
of The Apostles.
In the Bible the Apostles were referred to as "fishers of men".
Matthew 4:19 He said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you
fishers for men."
A "sacramental fish", accompanied by a carafe of red wine and
a basket of bread signifies the Eucharist and the Last Supper.
Fish in the Bible
Mark 1:17: "Come after Me, and I
will make you become fishers of men."
John 21:6: "And He said to them, 'Cast the
net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.' So they
cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude
of fish."
Matthew 12:40: "...Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of
the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in
the heart of the earth."
Matthew 14:17: "And they said to Him, 'We have here only five loaves and
two fish."
Corinthians 15:39: "All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one
kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fish, and
another of birds."