Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
ichthys
noun
/ˈɪkθɪs/
Definition
In Christian symbolism, ‘ichthys’ is a Greek word meaning ‘fish’, often used as an acronym to represent Jesus Christ.
Examples
- The early Christians used the ichthys symbol to identify themselves in secret.
- Even in modern times, ichthys is used in jewelry and art to signify faith.
- During the Roman Empire, ichthys often appeared in catacombs as a declaration of Christian faith.
Meaning
The term ‘ichthys’ is associated with early Christianity and is a symbol of Christ. It is derived from the Greek letters Iota (Ι), Chi (Χ), Theta (Θ), Upsilon (Y), and Sigma (Σ), which stand for ‘Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior’.
Synonyms
- Fish symbol
- Christian symbol
- Jesus fish
