The Origins of the Jesus Fish

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Bibliography:
Guy Stroumsa, "The Early Christian Fish Symbol Reconsidered," 199-205 in Messiah and Christos: Studies in the Jewish Origins of Christianity, Tubingen: Mohr, 1992.
Tuomas Rasimus, "Revisiting the Ichthys: A Suggestion Concerning the Origins of Christological Fish Symbolism
Laurence Harold Kant, "The Interpretation of Religious Symbols in the Graeco-Roman World: A Case Study of Early Christian Fish Symbolism," PhD Dissertation, Yale University, 1993.
MOREY, CHARLES R, "The Origin of the Fish Symbol," American journal of archaeology, 1909-01-01, Vol.13, p.57

[@ReligionForBreakfast]

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[@antagonizerr]

I always thought it was a reference to the multiplying of the fish at the last supper.

[@CaesiusX]

I always figured it was tied to the _fisher of men_ reference. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@ziontours5893]

@@antagonizerr The multiplication of the loaves and the fish was after he preached to the masses in the Galilee. Fish isn't mentioned in the last supper.

[@littleandre4957]

Again, its not a christian practise. Immersion/mikvah is a Jewish practise.

[@EduardoAyresSoares]

you could post more often. Would be nice to have a video once a week.

[@Agaettis]

I just always thought it was because he multiplied fish for people 😂

[@MPHJackson7]

Actually, that explanation would make some sense, now that I think about it.

[@leunam2012]

After helping him catch two boat loads of fish, Jesus told Peter that he will make him a different kind of fisherman, one who brings in people and not fish.

[@Agaettis]

@@MPHJackson7 would make more if it was fish and bread? But i always thought the bumper stickers were playing off that story

[@Damons-Old-Soul]

@@MPHJackson7 The better question is how did the fisherman stories become so predominant in the Gospels? Personally, I apt to go with the Procession of The Equinox into Pieces at the beginning of the First Century CE. This is backed up by a story that I think is in John, where the disciples ask Jesus , once he has gone, what should they watch for. The response is a Man carrying a jug of water through the door, out of the house. This being a reference to Aquarius, the next sign in the Procession of The Equinox.

[@varana]

@@Damons-Old-Soul Or it could be, I don't know, because he lived in the general area of the Sea of Galilee in the company of fishermen.

[@Gabriel-ek9gd]

Imagine not knowing about this whole jesus thing and just seeing "fish" written in random places. You'd be so confused

[@merrittanimation7721]

"The fishmongers are getting intense with their ads lately"

[@elg6197]

You just described the most archeological experience

[@mosesking2923]

I'm sure the ancient romans thought their new Christian neighbors were all pescatarian LOLOL. Little did they know the REAL Christian cuisine: baby back ribs slathered in barbecue sauce with a side of potato salad and coleslaw.

[@DallasMay]

"I'm sorry, I don't think I understand.... You worship a fish god?"

[@DriftedVisionMan]

As a kid with a secular upbringing, this was me.

[@PBAmygdala2021]

Since the fish logo stuck around for so long, I guess you could say it was pretty catchy...

[@cat_pb]

😂

[@ryshow9118]

Boooooo! 🤣

[@lukerobinson8044]

Eeeeeeyyyyyyyy 👉

[@travcollier]

But all those origin stories are pretty fishy

[@jgobroho]

This comment seems a bit fishy to me...

[@november8039]

When I was a kid I asked my mom why Christians put fish stickers on their cars and she told me that it was because Jesus multiplied the fish. Never thought about it after that, wouldn't have guessed it was so old. Groovy.

[@sikid4000]

No it's because Jesus said to Peter he would make him a fisher of man.

[@jonathansoko5368]

There is no definite answer.

[@rickn8or]

And the Greek letters on the Jesus fish (Iota, Chi Theta, Psi, Epsilon) stand for "I Cross Over Yonder Estuary" .

[@kori228]

at first glance I would have thought the fish multiplication story too

[@mimsay2u]

Fish insignia’s on cars and businesses also indicate -Dude, I am one of you and we are super moral people and why don’t YOU Have a fish sticker? Age old is the desire to belong, we are all wired for connection. I personally find it a turn-off and un-inclusive. I was just in the Citidel of Fagaras in Romania (1310) where the knights chairs, in fact all the hugely oversized restored chairs and throne had identical sets of 2 fish (over and under), carved in a circle on each chair back. I was told that the reference was Christianity. But I’m intrigued about the Pisces reference, particularly after seeing these carvings. 12th astrological sign, derived from the symbol of the fish, Ichthyocentaurs, aided Aphrodite when she was born from the sea. Perhaps one inspired the other?

[@indyxpbullion2422]

So this is the early version of Kilroy... Fish graffiti = “Jesus was here” 😂

[@eid8fkebe7f27ejdjdjduyhsvqhwu2]

I dunno, with all these fish depictions and comparison I think the ancient authors wanted to say that Jesus was not human, but a literal walking, talking, preaching fish, probably a carp(enter). I'm gonna write the history channel to have them investigate this further.

[@danielpalma1426]

LoL

[@sileverything]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@avishalom2000lm]

Come to think of it, wasn't there a Sumerian God or demigod that was in the form of a fish, that taught people civilization or something?

[@anthonysteellarenas7367]

@@avishalom2000lm maybe a reference to Loki the norse trickster god hidden in the form of a fish

[@atheodorasurname6936]

@@avishalom2000lm That Babylonian god-man in fish attire was named Dagon or Oannes. The latter name is akin to Iohannes, John, who baptizes Jesus with river water.

[@collinwadham6582]

"I will make you a Fisher of men."

[@DallasMay]

"And we are gonna GUT THE ROMANS!" -Thing Jesus didn't say.

[@CorbCorbin]

It was Dagon’s first. Just another stolen idea to make Christianity’s smorgasbord from other religions.

[@rikib.3444]

The Fisher King

[@collinwadham6582]

@@CorbCorbin No...no other teaching follows or was seen, as far as we can see, like the teaching of Christ. But we must read His words to know that.

[@SmartVideosJarkaWatched]

I'm surprised if RFB didn't mention this.

[@natelogos7662]

I love how in all of your videos you successfully appear impartial, just looking at where the evidence leads without making value judgments. That's a rare thing in the world today. Keep it up.

[@orangedalmatian]

a little ironic then that he promotes Bart Erhman's work. Not to say that Bart doesn't have any scholarly credibility, but just that (at least imho) he comes off far too often as allowing his own personal biases leak into his work, where sometimes he feels less like he's studying christian scripture honestly and more like he's trying to debunk it regardless of where the evidence points to. Luckily ReligionForBreakfast does not fall into this behavior, love his content and how he approaches it.

[@jerrydillon9191]

Yep

[@J.F.331]

@@orangedalmatian I agree Religion For Breakfast always seems impartial which is nice to hear. I think the problem with Bart Ehrman is he’s a sell out. I think he goes whatever direction sells more books and keeps him relevant.

[@orangedalmatian]

@@J.F.331 yes exactly. Ehrman has sorta found his niche crowd and is content with just regurgitating their established opinions back at them, even if the arguments no longer hold water. RfB I feel is a real envelope pusher in the field of religious studies, he sure has taught me many things.

[@rusty4150]

No I think he's just your typical interlectual christian full of head knowledge and not heart knowledge which the bible warnes us about.

[@merrittanimation7721]

11:54 "I think to honor our dead relative we should get something public and long lasting so everyone can see it even generations into the future" "I like that idea" "And put out super secret cipher on it to honor his beliefs despite the possibility it might get us all killed." "I'm sorry what?"

[@cuckoophendula8211]

I remember having this phase in high school when I became a massive Carl Jung nerd and read about how he referred to the Christian era the "age of Pisces" (coinciding the astrological solstices with each approximate 2000+ year period). He also talked about his account of supposed "synchronicities" when he kept being faced with the fish symbol one day, which inspired him to put a lot of his life's work on that symbol thereafter. Amusingly, this was before I heard anything about a "Jesus fish," and it totally blew my mind when I encountered one separately.

[@ks5553]

@Neuhauser Stefan After Taurus was Aries, the ram, or lamb. But you are still correct, it's all based on astrology and star charts, or the Great Year as Plato called it. 2160 years per "month" with the entire cycle taking 25,920 years to complete. After the bull worship era there was the Ram. Ancient Egypt is full of Ram idolatry, and the Bible has more than a few lamb references. You can find them everywhere from 2000BC to 0. Then the age of Pisces begins and we have the fish representing Jesus, the dominant religious figure of the last 2000 years. We are now in between Pisces and Aquarius (the exact dates are debated as a single degree of the great year is 72 years long). Unfortunately none of this helps me pick the winning lottery numbers though :( 😆

[@redfullmoon]

Pisces was my first thought too. Additionally, in anatomical astrology Pisces is related to the feet and Jesus was also famous for the washing of the feet.

[@nicomoreno5028]

@@ks5553 When Abraham went to sacrifice his son Isaac, the angel of the Lord told him that theory was pleased with his obedience and that he didn't have to go through with it. When he cut his son loose they found a ram to sacrifice. Maybe a reference to aries? Once the Israelites leave Egypt, Moses goes into the mountains to pray (there God provides him with the commandments). When he returns, his people are worshipping a calf of molten gold. Maybe a reference to Taurus? There's a part in the book of Mark where Jesus tells two of his disciples that when they go into the city there will be a man waiting for them with a pitcher of water (water bearer), and they are to follow him into a building. That kind of sounds like the age of pices following the age of aquarius. Maybe I'm stretching these. Idk.

[@ks5553]

@@nicomoreno5028 I don't think it's too much of a stretch. Almost all ancient literature is full of processional age-related information as they paid much closer attention to the stars than we do these days. I'm not familiar with the story of Jesus and the man with the pitcher, but it's always possible. One thing to keep in mind is that the processional cycle actually moves backward through the zodiac because of the wobble motion, so Aquarius comes after Pisces. Maybe that makes a difference in that story? I have no idea really. Some people think that the golden calf story is a reference to Taurus, and that the reason Moses was so upset is because it was an idol from the former age (I believe that story took place during Aries) And the Bible does go on quite a bit there about how, basically Aaron (who Moses left in charge) was an idiot and the people were being foolish and stupid by making the calf idol. Moses then ground the idol to dust and mixed it with water then made the people drink it, literally eating their mistake. I'm no scholar so I can't really say for sure, but I do know that you find processional numbers and symbols all throughout the Bible. And the book of Revelations is jam packed with them front to back. But you also find them in ancient Egypt, Sumer, India, China, and even the Maya and other south American cultures

[@fraternitas5117]

This idea predates Jung by quite a bit, Aleister Crowley referenced it a great deal and I think Madame Blavatsky did as well.

[@danielpaulson8838]

It's so nice to get information, without another version of a sermon. Thank you.

[@notme5205]

Still think sermons are pointless or do you not see the world falling apart around you 😂.

[@danielpaulson8838]

@@notme5205Sermons don't fix that. They drive it by maintaining a perpetuation of supernatural and tribal ignorance. People need to start learning for themselves and not following their modern Pharisees.😇

[@notme5205]

@@danielpaulson8838 Oh so what should we do then wise one? You must have some idea of what should we do then.

[@redapol5678]

I love that these explanations are based on actual historical evidence which can be analysed and verified rather than just relying on tradition and trusting that tradition just because we’re told to

[@zerospacer]

Astrologically, the beginning of the age of Pisces (Fishes) was at hand.

[@Shadow_from_the_sun]

Yes, this! In the New Testament the disciples ask Jesus what to look for and the end of the AGE, and he responds by telling them to look for a man bearing a pitcher of water (The Age of Aquarius). There's other examples of Astrotheology/Astrological ages in the Bible, such as Moses shattering the golden calf symbolized the end of the Age of Taurus, in the book of Genesis, Adam and Eve symbolized the Age of Gemini. Not just the in the Bible but across many ancient cultures.

[@jocelynflowers]

@@Shadow_from_the_sun other Christians are attacking me because I’m telling them about the astrology connection🤦🏽‍♀️

[@ikengaspirit3063]

@@jocelynflowers don't let them get you down

[@jocelynflowers]

@@ikengaspirit3063 thank you :)

[@Shadow_from_the_sun]

@@jocelynflowers that's expected unfortunately. Don't let them get to you because you think for yourself and are a rational individual. Have compassion for them too.. it must really suck being deathly afraid of different things that can challenge your fragile world view.

[@gunnaryoung]

Another way a fish can be connected to baptism is if you consider the story of Jonah to be a symbol for baptism. He was swallowed by a large fish and then emerged from it after having repented.

[@jkjerbdhetheth]

The Jonah connection is present numerous terms in the text and I think the most likely connection

[@changer1285]

Wait! Its literally Jesus in the big fish, and he did say the only sign he'd give the corrupt generation was the sign of jonah in the belly of the big fish. Definitely onto something with the Jonah stuff.

[@MicahMicahel]

Fish imagery is everywhere... “ I’ll make you fishers of men” The sign of Jonah.. some of the apostles were fishermen...

[@HeroC14]

He repented but he also died to his old self and obeyed God to preach to the Assyrians of Nineveh(literally means fishing village by the way) after 3 days. The Assyrians repented and believed after Jonah came to them. Absolutely the sign of Jonah. Jonah means God's Dove, the same Dove that is represented by the Holy Spirit. Remember the Dove also returns signs of dry land for Noah and his family in the story of the Flood. Jesus himself brings the Holy Spirit through his death and resurrection to all mankind because he is God himself in the flesh. The fish is the sign of repentance, death to the old self, and hope for those drowning without God to catch them.

[@HeroC14]

But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as 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 12:39‭-‬40 ESV

[@stevencahn4019]

I have been bingeing this channel for a couple of days now and it is fascinating. I am getting all the answers for questions I asked when I was a Christian but was told then "the Bible says so", "God says so", "I say so" or the mother of all answers to shutdown my questions, "God works in mysterious ways and it is not for you to question them.

[@buckarooben7635]

I am so sorry for our failure to teach. You deserved better.

[@riverstone100]

It is fascinating how the eight-spoked wheel can function as a cipher for Christ, as well as the Dharmachakra, representing virtue in Hinduism and Buddhism.

[@thedebatehitman]

Yay! I have something to keep me entertained during my lunch break.

[@ShreyashUSA]

Have a fulfilling meal

[@daleblue22]

Did you enjoyed your Tilapia?

[@thedebatehitman]

@@daleblue22 I had leftover vegan tortilla soup from the day before, Taco Tuesday. But I definitely enjoyed the video

[@daleblue22]

@Ramiro Moreno get over it dude. Your club Jesus is losing members more than ever. People are eating because is getting outdated and way to radical. We live on a cycle and we are meant to keep moving forward.

[@daleblue22]

@Ramiro Moreno oh sorry I meant to say Club Yeshua. Or you may wanna ask the Hebrews why they never wanted to join the club 😉?

[@matthewreynolds8068]

I was so glad to hear the honorable mention of the zodiac theory! These videos are hard not to binge. I've been on a bit of a spiritual journey, and this down to earth presentation style is SO good

[@timg5603]

That’s really cool that you’re searching! how do you view jesus?

[@matthewreynolds8068]

@@timg5603 I am definitely still learning! In my mind Jesus was an honorable person, with a great knowledge of scripture, and a great message of peace and love. Worth respecting, and looking up to 100%

[@kakarroto007]

Thanks for sharing that, that was really cool. I always just assumed the fish symbolized when Jesus fed that starving village with a fish and bread, and that he was a "Fisher of men".

[@nineteenfortyeight6762]

There was no starving village. Just a poorly-planned wedding.

[@laurensung3196]

2 fishes = 2 eyes 5 bread = 5 Grace of God 2 + 5 = 7 spirit of God *water - wine - blood = Christ eternal within body* All start with simple things 😉 5 Fingers & 2 Hand = PRAY (worship - Praise) and sharing - caring in love, and believe our Heavenly Father and His Son be multiple all for us. That's why Jesus said *BELIEVE* You *BELIEVE* first and you *SEE* But now Christian peoples SEE first and BELIEVE 🤦

[@clauaome25]

@William Burns I guess he means that fish have the shape of an eye, so two eyes...

[@kuroazrem5376]

It could be because the Bible says Jesus is a "fisher of men".

[@RalphEllis]

The fish is a symbol of the precessional Great Month of Pisces. This era started in AD 10, when Aries (sheep) changed to Pisces (fish). That is why Jesus was a Lamb of God (Aries), who became a Fisher of Men (Pisces). That is why Alexander the Great was linked to ram’s horns. Incidentally, the fish and anchor symbol, was the motif of Emperor Vespasian. See the book: Jesus, King of Edessa. R.

[@DneilB007]

The “fishers of men” reference is Jesus talking to his disciples, specifically his early disciples who were fishermen. It’s not used to refer to Jesus at all.

[@danieldoremus5812]

The 'fishers of men' bit is mostly a pun made in English translations of the Bible. If you read the Hebrew or Greek versions they don't have that same, almost comedic flair. They have the same meaning without the word play.

[@baronofbahlingen9662]

@Morgue VØID Ah yes, Protestant conspiracy theorism. I will be sure to ignore.

[@KingMessiah1999]

@@DneilB007 its to refer that they will gather people to follow Jesus

[@ganmerlad]

I went to Ephasus and the tour guide pointed out the circle and spokes (which was carved into stone in good number of places) being a Christian symbol, but never explained why -- so I've just been thinking "pizza" for the last few decades whenever Ephasus comes up. Glad you finally cleared it up for me. Now I need to explain it to my mom who was on the trip too. :p

[@michaelmaddux7375]

It's the Vesica Piscis. The same symbol was used in early bible art, church paintings and building carvings. Usually with the Christ sitting inside it. Add a third circle and you get the common Christian trinity symbol too.

[@nikostheater]

The fish symbol could have been used as a “secret” handshake in specific places and times during persecution, especially Diocletian’s, but it’s existence is because the first letters of the phrase “ Ιησούς Χριστός Θεού Υιός Σωτήρ» (translation: Jesus Christ God’s Son Savior),spell the Greek word for fish «ιχθύς», it was more of a happy accident and an easy symbol to use o differentiate the new faith from Judaism and other religions. It wasn’t the only symbolic sign though, other popular ones were the anchor and the ship, but the fish symbol was by far the most popular before the proliferation of the cross. I have to say ALL the earliest symbols are still being used today ( the fish, the vine, the anchor, the ship, the good shepherd etc) in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

[@TheoEvian]

Yeah, and basically every baroque catholic church has a statue of an angel standing on an anchor, those symbols are still widely known even outside Orthodoxy. Of course West added its own very complex romanesque and gothic symbolisms and so did the East but really, this is not something overly esoteric. I was surprised when a muslim friend of mine didnt understand "alpha and omega" but let me tell you that most christian denominations should understand what an anchor or a ship means.

[@Volzotran]

Pescecution

[@letsomethingshine]

Pagan and Christians 1st and 2nd century writers: the first "short-hand" texters.

[@disguisedcentennial835]

They needed to, in order to save paper, which was more expensive. He forgot about that part. You can see shortcuts taken by the Gospel writers, as well, because of this need to conserve paper.

[@Ucedo95]

Turns out vowel-less, sylabic, etc. writing systems were right all along

[@empiricalandinquirical2435]

7:30 Dang, that’s actually a pretty cool gang sign. Looks like modern graffiti. We already had subcultures going on 2,000 years ago.

[@changer1285]

You should check out the Sigils in Key of Solomon the King and the Lesser key of Solomon. All sorts of stuff like that. Modern esotericists have descriptions of how to construct sigils, which is kinda like hiding words in the pictures. Imagine that image over a grid that has letters in each square, then think of all the loops and doops as additional detail. Not sure how that sports one was made though. Oh yeah and lots of the imagery in gang graffiti is from esoteric stuff too.

[@themadhattress5008]

I mean, subcultures are literally nothing new and have popped up here and there all throughout history.

[@lickmyfuckinnuts]

There is nothing new Under the Sun

[@wendyleeconnelly2939]

@@lickmyfuckinnuts the more things change, the more things stay the same

[@lyndawall2860]

Every “established culture” we have/ever had was a subculture at one point or another until enough people were a part of it.

[@CrackleCat]

Pisces.

[@garyzuelch8152]

Yup

[@CrackleCat]

@@garyzuelch8152 Sea kittens?

[@johnshannon9656]

Yes.

[@oniricodosfatos8286]

Great video! Salutions from Brazil. The fish imagery is pretty popular here as well

[@thoperSought]

so, if Romans having Greek tutors was really as widespread as I've imagined, then would the ancient Roman version of the "the Great Courses Plus" have been "the Greek Courses Plus"?

[@christermi]

Well yes, but actually no..

[@dorianphilotheates3769]

Ita vero!

[@HelloThere-xx1ct]

This is a PSA. @ReligionForBreakfast is a Contrapoints stan! Causing me to stan him even harder!

[@Thessalin]

I noticed that. RfB is awesome. Take his online class if it's available if you haven't. I really loved the one I did.

[@beccaorr5412]

When I was in Rome there was this symbol on many things, only it was turned up the tip pointed up and the tail down, the guide told us that it was a pagan fertility symbol as it represents the female genitalia. The guide said that earlier Christians took many pagan symbols and holidays and adapted them to Christianity.

[@jeremiahduran7238]

So they were adopting the pagan fish symbol.

[@jayytee8062]

Just like the popes mitre hat

[@jeremiahduran7238]

@@jayytee8062 is supposed to be a big fish mouth.

[@tylerhughson8925]

The symbol refers to a much older god Dagon. He was half man half fish. He was the god of fish, fertility & a bunch of other stuff. The popes hat looks like his head. Google Dagon.

[@pinaysaparis6836]

@@tylerhughson8925 true

[@Me2Lancer]

We can't ignore that when Jesus called Galilean fishermen, he told them "I will make you fishers of men."

[@nosuchthing8]

Yup

[@righthomosphere7962]

fishers of men? so they will hunt men for food? i don't get it

[@maevat.9729]

@@righthomosphere7962 ...It's a metaphore. Hope that help🤷‍♀️

[@Lost_Scarf]

"You will collect the souls of the humans"

[@youareivan]

i've always associated the fish with the feeding of the multitudes, but there are so many fish and fisherman references it seems like it would be weird if symbology related to fish/fishing wasn't associated with the early christians.

[@charitybrook6279]

I always thought that it was because we are to be fishers of men like Peter?

[@alanpennie8013]

The miraculous draft is definitely the fishiest story (as it were) in The Gospels We get two different accounts (Luke 5, and John 21) so it appears to have been pretty well known.

[@jeanvford]

Kudos for including bibliographies with your videos!

[@annonimooseq1246]

In 2000 years (of we’re still here) there’s going to be a video or video equivalent just like this but on where “dank” came from in relation to memes

[@simonruszczak5563]

in 950 years, (Dr Anatoly Fomenko).

[@ianmansfield68]

I can distinctly remember being told the story at 1:02 in my religious education lessons; thank you for opening up my understanding! I believe that my RE teachers tended to emphasise the persecution of the Christians so maybe that was why they were so ready to accept this theory. Back when I was at school, we didn't have the curriculum that there is now with a diversity of religions to study. This channel is great!

[@aryhiacarston4734]

Yeah I learned about that in my AP Art History class in 2019. Kinda interesting

[@zepledfan413]

Dude I could watch these videos for years. This stuff is so interesting!!!

[@mirandamom1346]

I love your work. Please don’t stop!

[@MrFTW]

Another great and fascinating video Andrew, great job once again!

[@Pieboy636]

I would love to see an episode or series about sacred letters and text. There are so many interesting examples, between the Christian Ichthys, the Celtic ogham, the elder futhark of Scandinavia, and even more occult related scripts like Enochian, or the use of G_d over God in cabalistic religions.

[@troygaspard6732]

And we know we are Christians by the FISH on our car.

[@lilsaam]

I love your channel!! Religion is so interesting

[@allanfulton8922]

I love this channel. Thanks for your wonderful content.

[@jonathanverret6872]

You just have a very good, well-researched channel. Informative and in-depth, but still approachable!

[@willemkossen]

I always wondered about this. And i always had to resist to draw a hook before it. Very interesting video, thank you

[@toxendon]

Rocking that beard, I must say!

[@henriquecaldeira]

Thank you very much for your precious educational work, sir! God Bless, or May the Force be with you! Whatever suits you best.

[@Sevenminussix]

Finally, a good video over this! I still see these everywhere and it never made sense to me.

[@EllisMontes]

Great video! I love that Egyptian display behind you!

[@patta14]

The story about the handshake is interesting. The version that I was told (I live in Germany) was always that christians under roman persecution would mark their houses with a fish to let other christians know, that other christians were living there.

[@samernammari8785]

Awesome work, Andrew! I'm devouring your material these days. This is an interesting subject as the fish bumper sticker is popular among the local Christian community in Jerusalem.

[@jerrydillon9191]

U sir have taught me more obscure things than I thought I'd want to know...I WANT MORE thank you

[@vertdragoon]

You really covered all the bases while respecting the differences between theory, fact, and interpretation.

[@GaramondGourmond]

I was always told that the fish was supposed to denote his original birth, not in winter, but instead was born as a Pisces's. Thus the fish was his symbol.

[@donsample1002]

I think the cross won out over the fish as the main symbol for early Christianity, because a fish is useless for warding off vampires, unless the fish is really ripe, but no one wants to keep one of those around.

[@Queezbo]

ha!

[@nunyabiznes33]

Just use dried salty fishy. If the vampire ever sets it aflame with its infernal glare at least you'd have something to eat.

[@contentstarved991]

The mystical aspect of the acrostic is probably the best explanation for the fish.

[@sonidoo5908]

Thank you for this video man. I love your way of explaining things.

[@jeythecount6546]

Actually the fish thing was in the "Quo Vadis" book as well. It wasn't a Hollywood addition.

[@letsomethingshine]

Isn't that exactly what ReligionForBreaskfast said? That Hollywood popularized it against the cross (in meme competition) more than the books in the 1800s (which RFB said was the first time the fish thing was mentioned as a "secrete handshake" rather than just an obvious symbol like all other Christian symbols used in early times (also pagans used their own symbols). Paganism writes less because Judaism emphasizes the importance of writing way more (similar to how Egyptians emphasized the importance of writing with a GOD OF WRITING, something the Greeks really didn't have popularly).

[@merrittanimation7721]

@@letsomethingshine What do you mean? The Greeks have plenty of writing even if they didn't have a specific god for it.

[@ny-ne6jq]

Thanks for a very informative video, like all of your work. In the Quran we have 2 Fish stories. The one about Yunus ( Jona), and the second in the Story of Moses in Surat al-Kahf. BTW, nice beard😊

[@meenamoon7930]

Clearing throat

[@varghesecherian6610]

Kiran gets its wrong as usual.. It's a badly copied book.. Plaugarised..

[@quintustheophilus9550]

Wohooooo! A new video! ¡Muchísimas gracias!

[@kaho5004]

I really enjoy these videos. Keep up the good work

[@det.bullock4461]

A thought crossed my mind: what if with Peter apparently being a fisherman he just went full Siuan Sanche peppering his sermons with fisherman proverbs and metaphors?

[@dustinellerbe4125]

Great show! Can you do one on the NOMINA SACRA

[@benjaminbrockway5998]

That would be an awesome episode.

[@raulramos5246]

Excellent dissertation. I will share this video with everyone I know is interested in true values and spiritual solid support.

[@t.garcia]

Thanks bro for your services!

[@jvphilip]

I always thought it was supposed to be the fish sign made by crossing the index and middle fingers that early Christians used like a secret code and that's where the "fingers crossed" gesture came from too... Thanks for all this research!

[@morganholloman6650]

I've come to wonder if it isn't connecting the 'birth of christ' to the 'age of Pisces' as a symbolism to reference the age in which we are in, basically being time keeping

[@vegahimsa3057]

Exactly. The ancient Sumerian's made frequent reference to the "Bull of Heaven" (Taurus) associated with agriculture (think of all the now demonized horn gods), the rising constilation of the vernal equinox roughly 7000 years ago. Later religions used the symbol of the Ram (Aries, think of the Hebrews blowing the rams horn marking the new year and festivals). Jesus is the fish and the internet is Aquarius.

[@benjones5610]

@@vegahimsa3057 I worry what to think Capricorn (the Goat) would be

[@bardmadsen6956]

@@vegahimsa3057 - I watched the video expecting what you said. The Sky Bull is about the Taurid Stream bombarding the earth, one being the 12,900ka Younger Dryas Impact Theory and the other being the 2,300BC Event. It is all about the zodiac, Mark 14:13 Aquarius

[@vegahimsa3057]

@@benjones5610 Capricorn, the goat fish, is fascinating to me as he is exactly attributed to the earliest writing of Sumeria, unchanged. Though, I'm curious: what worries you?

[@nektu5435]

I've thought this for some time too and clicked on this video specifically to see if that's what he would talk about.

[@metalground212]

You are so smart. A lot of really interesting content thanks for sharing!!!

[@saityavuz76]

Thank you, been curious about this.

[@danielpaulson8838]

And, I love your background. I see a Quran, The Nag Hammadi, Pyramids, an Ankh, Jesus and Shiva side by side. Looks a lot like my book shelves. If only religions were this open minded. We could have world peace.

[@blackbeastantoine]

precession of the equinoxes

[@AcornsBest]

Take that idea with a grain of salt. It is Carl Yung's Theory. Look him up. Interesting Character.

[@SciPunk215]

Thanks for the knowledge download !

[@nigelbryant7980]

Awesome video, been very interested in this topic since I read Aion by Carl Jung.

[@Birdinandpo]

Hey have you talked about Ronald K Siegel and his research about elephants having a religion? It’s so fascinating and I’d love to hear your perspective on it.

[@judemorales4U]

Well researched and well done. (I do love the theory of the secret code though. I will keep it🌺) It may not be linked to persecution but I think fish were used extensively as well presented here and as for the openess of placing them on monuments, well, perhaps there were safe areas or just a personal stance of inscribing what one believed in. I do think that it could have a "secret handshake" in some cases, irrespective of persecution theories. 😊

[@seankerr9158]

Thanks for this video. Okay, looking into this experientially, it also seems to be a fairly powerful esoteric initiation. Quite special as a remnant of early Christianity that can still be obtained and made use of. It opens up the brow region (and more and more the crown region with repeated use). It connects these areas to Christ energies and forges a connection to these. It’s still very much accessible. You can receive it by asking your higher self to facilitate your reception of the “Ichthus initiation”, or “an empowerment for the use of the Ichthus acronym (Iesou Christos Theou Huios Soter)”. Activates by saying “Ichthus”

[@Nanokarp]

Ooooh, new channel to binge 👀

[@daddyleon]

9:20 the way it's drawn...yes, mem written all over it.

[@andrewsuryali8540]

My first encounter with the modern Jesus fish was actually of a four-legged Darwin fish.

[@iagoofdraiggwyn98]

I always found that one to be funny

[@DallasMay]

My favorite was always the Darwin lizard mounting the Jesus fish. I mean, if you are going to go blasphemous, might as well go all in.

[@thelemonddropskid5445]

Cthulhu fish

[@piperar2014]

Jesus fish Darwin fish Truth fish eats Darwin fish I don't remember what came next

[@NovaSaber]

@@piperar2014 Gulpo, the fish that eats concepts.

[@yvandeboer4188]

Very good documentary. Thank you.

[@israeltovar3513]

In Mexican(therefore Spanish speaking) Catholic tradition, it is mostly taught bin relationship with the fishing stories from the Gospels, and references in them of Jesus as a "Fisherman", catching his disciples and the sinful. There are many widespread known songs with that topic...

[@emilymaguire3163]

Good thing I'm learning Greek, really helps me learn some ancient Greek

[@_spacegoat_]

I'm curious to know what you think of Carl Jung's "Aion." He has quite a bit to say on this topic. I know it's not your field of expertise, but it would be pretty interesting to hear what you think about it.

[@karekarenohay4432]

Carl Jung was a modern gnostic, not an historical one.

[@_spacegoat_]

@@karekarenohay4432 No. Jung, according to himself, wasn't a Gnostic, modern or otherwise. Fascinated by Gnosticism, well-read in it, certainly. Regardless, Aion has some very interesting perspectives on the topic of this video.

[@karekarenohay4432]

@@_spacegoat_ Many times we don't know people for what they say about themselves, but for what they do. Have your read Jung's Seven Sermons to the Dead? The Red Book? They are incredible samples of pure Gnosticism, and they weren't intended to be shown to the public, but privately or for a few (just the meaning of the word "esoteric"). I think Psychologists and Psychiatrists fear the brand of "non-scientific" (or worse, "pseudoscience") that many scientists give to Psychoanalysis since Freud's era. If Jung believed in a transformation of the being through a spiritual esoteric knowledge (that is, if he were a modern Gnostic), logically he wouldn't say it openly because his career would be affected. His works speak for him, however. I strongly recommend you the book The Gnostic Jung, by Stephan Hoeller, where the author concludes Jung was indeed a new Gnostic by the research of some works of him, mainly Seven Sermons to the Dead. It's a fascinating reading.

[@josephang9927]

@@karekarenohay4432 Gnosticism has a lot of rationale behind why current Christians believe what they believe. Jung used them to explain a lot.

[@vigilque9427]

Yes! The fish is a symbol of unconscious content, according to Jung and I concur. Check my comment and link in main thread.

[@alg11297]

I remember that symbol and the explanation in the movie Quo Vadis very well. I know that film was based on a contemporary book and I wonder where the author got the idea from. Good research.

[@varana]

Well, "contemporary" - the book was published by Polish author Sienkiewicz in 1895, the movie was released in 1951. :D

[@andreasxanthros5853]

For a deep dive into the fish symbol, I suggest reading Carl Jung's Aion, wherein he devotes an entire chapter to it. I cannot summarize such a dense text here, but it is definitely worth taking a look at.

[@thomasdolcelli4969]

I always wanted to know were the fish came from. And this video just made things more complicated. 😂😂😂 love the video.

[@Noname-xn5tl]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/p36QfZmdjqehpqs

[@robbabcock_]

Fascinating! I tend to concur, it's unlikely to have resulted from persecution. There's a long tradition of shorthand use of symbols or abbreviations for sacred words. The most famous of which is probably Xmas.

[@AlwayzADelight]

I was raised being taught it was because Jesus said to his followers "I will make you fisher of men". Jesus made us fisher of men, because we are supposed to lead mankind to God. Through teaching them about the love, peace, compassion, forgiveness and grace of God, and we are to do that by being a living example of those very things to everyone we meet.

[@ratboy_]

Such an insanely high-quality video.

[@seal9390]

More like baised and none sense

[@sense7thinnertainmenthdtv764]

Bro ... I love what you do

[@astrol4b]

Very interesting, I've read somewhere the theory that the "sator arepo" square was a secret symbol among christians I wonder if there is some truth.

[@Nyyckaulhas]

In French, the words for fisherman and for sinner are homonyms. As a child it would always leave me confused, as I was never sure which was used in Christian texts. Were Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John fishermen or sinners when they started to follow Jesus? And I believed for a long time that the Fisher King was in fact the Sinner King (thus explaining the wastelands of his kingdom). I always wondered if this confusion of words exist in other languages. In Latin the words are close (piscator/peccator) but not homonymous. Anyway, this added yet another layer to the connexion between Jesus and the fish, saving sinners and fishermen alike.

[@kalburgy2114]

This could also explain why the relationship between the French and the Church is unlike anywhere else.

[@FriendlierFetus]

0:46 Strange to think that I was taught this in school, only about 12 years ago.

[@artemisg6463]

With age comes wisdom I watched because I wondered if I got it wrong nope but thank you I learned something new.

[@Glassandcandy]

Omg, this entire time I always thought “dis manibus” translated to “in the hands of God”. I’m shook, ngl. Somehow that is the most shocking part of this video to me lol.

[@skywalker7778]

Bravo on a very researched production! Isn't there a connection between the fish as symbols and earlier Mesopotamian and Babylonian cultures?

[@weareallbornmad410]

A quick correction: Quo Vadis was actually a 1895-1896 book (published in chunks in the press every week), and only a lot later a film. Drawing a fish is an important scene in the book, as it outs the heroine as a Christian. So the idea is a lot later than just "recent years.)

[@bwtilesetter7776]

Great video!!

[@devifoxe]

Yeah I know this one we have learned this in school (no Christian School regular publics school learning about Christianity it was obligatory those old days)

[@thedarkshitstain]

Have you done a video on John M. Allegro, the sacred mushroom and the cross? What's that all about, is it legitimate?

[@atheodorasurname6936]

I love that fascinating book! The Roman Catholic Church and a big beer corporation, I think Anheuser-Busch, tried to get it banned. That gives me even more reasons to love it.

[@gospelofthomas77thpearl22]

This explains the beginning & ending of the book ‘77th Pearl: The Perpetual Tree’.

[@vigilque9427]

Elaborate?