Fish in the Cultures of the World: From a Symbol of Life to the Divine Essence

Fish is more than food. Since ancient times, it has been a symbol of fertility, wisdom, rebirth, and even a divine beginning. In the cultures of all continents, fish appears as a mythological character, ritual object, astrological sign, and culinary code. Its path in human history is unique: it has fed, healed, inspired, and frightened. Today, when we look at an aquarium or order sushi, we even don't think that behind this simple action there are thousands of years of symbolic interpretation. How did fish become such a universal sign and what does it mean for different peoples?

Fish as the Ancestor of All Living Things

In many world mythologies, fish appears as the primordial being from which the earth or even the entire universe originated. In Indian mythology, the god Vishnu in his first manifestation — Matsya — took the form of a fish to save humanity from the flood. In ancient Babylon, fish was associated with the god Ea, the master of the waters, who gave people knowledge. In some Siberian shamanic traditions, it is believed that the earth is held up by three whales or giant fish swimming in the boundless ocean.

This cosmogonic aspect emphasizes the main point: fish is not just a dweller in water, but a carrier of sacred power. The water in which it lives was perceived as primordial chaos, and the fish — as one who can navigate it and even create. This is why it is associated with wisdom, which is not accessible to terrestrial creatures.

Christian Symbolism: Fish as a Sign of Salvation

Perhaps the most famous symbolic fish in the world is the ichthys, an early Christian acrostic. The Greek word ICHTHYS (fish) was deciphered as "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior." In the first centuries of our era, when Christians were persecuted, the image of the fish served as a secret recognition sign. One Christian could draw a curve on the sand, and another, seeing it, would understand that he was facing a fellow believer.

But fish was important not only as a cipher. In the Gospels, Jesus calls his disciples-fishermen to become "fishers of men." The fish itself becomes a symbol of the soul that needs to be saved from the dark waters of sin. In Christian art, fish is often depicted alongside bread as a symbol of the Eucharist. Over time, this symbolism penetrated into popular culture, and fish became one of the main dishes at Christmas and Easter in Catholic and Orthodox countries.

Eastern Traditions: From Koi to Goldfish

In the East, fish has a completely different but no less profound meaning. In China and Japan, the koi — a symbol of bravery, spiritual strength, and good luck. There is a legend about how the koi swam upstream against the Yellow River waterfall and turned into a dragon — this became a metaphor for overcoming life's difficulties. Therefore, the koi is often depicted in Chinese painting and Japanese tattooing.

The goldfish, which appeared in European fairy tales, actually has Chinese origin — its ancestors were bred during the Song Dynasty. It symbolizes abundance and the fulfillment of wishes. This image was relatively recently transferred to literature, and today the goldfish is a universal symbol of hope for a better change.

In Buddhist tradition, fish is one of the eight auspicious symbols. It signifies freedom, boundless happiness, and the ability to swim against the current of samsara. Two golden fish are often depicted on stupas and in temples as a reminder that enlightenment is accessible to everyone who is not afraid of the depth.

Indigenous and African Myths: Fish as an Intermediary

In the cultures of indigenous peoples of America, fish occupies a central place in totemic beliefs. For the Pacific Coast tribes, salmon is perceived as a sacred gift from ancestors. Legends say that salmon voluntarily comes to people to feed them, and therefore it cannot be caught without respect. There are ceremonies of the first catch when the fish is thanked and part of it is released back into the water to maintain balance.

In African mythology, fish is often associated with ancestors and water spirits. It is believed that fish can convey messages from the deceased, and in some tribes there are taboos on the consumption of certain types of fish considered "sacred." In West African tradition, fish also serves as a symbol of female fertility and abundance, and its scales are an amulet against evil eye.

Fish in Astrology and Calendar

Pisces is the twelfth sign of the zodiac, completing the circle. People born under this sign are considered deeply sensitive, intuitive, inclined to daydreaming and compassion. Their symbol is two fish swimming in opposite directions, reflecting the internal struggle between soul and mind. In astrology, Pisces is associated with Neptune (in Roman tradition — the god of the seas), which highlights their connection with the subconscious and creativity.

In the Chinese calendar, fish is not an independent sign, but it is closely associated with the New Year: fish on the table symbolizes abundance and prosperity for the year ahead. The Chinese tradition of the character "fish" is similar to the character "abundance," and this similarity supports a stable association in the mind.

Culinary Symbolism: Eating Together

Fish is a product that unites peoples. It is eaten in harsh Scandinavia and tropical countries. In Japan, raw fish is the foundation of the national cuisine and is perceived as a work of art. In the Mediterranean countries, fish is cooked with olive oil and herbs, and this is also a cultural code: a symbol of health, longevity, and simplicity. In Russia, fish has always been an important part of the festive table, especially at Maslenitsa and Christmas.

But culinary fish is not just food. It is also a way of communication and a marker of social status. In some cultures, sharing fish meant sharing luck. And when in Japan they serve miso soup with pieces of fish, it's not just breakfast — it's a blessing for a new day.

Environmental Aspect: Modern Significance

Today, when oceans suffer from overfishing and pollution, fish becomes a symbol of the fragility of nature. Its image is used in eco-campaigns as a reminder that the culture of consumption must change. More and more people are switching to sustainable fishing, refusing to consume extinct species, and carefully reading labels. Fish as a symbol of rebirth now gets a new interpretation: it reminds us of the need to take care of the habitat.

This symbolic return to the origins: we start to relate to fish not just as a resource, but as a living creature whose fate is connected with ours. In this sense, ancient myths about the fish-ancestor, fish-guide, fish-sage become surprisingly relevant.

Conclusion

Fish is a universal symbol that permeates all cultures without exception. It can be a god, food, an amulet, or a metaphor. It combines depth and lightness, mystery and clarity. It glides between worlds, like the human soul itself. We eat fish to satisfy hunger, and we look at fish to understand ourselves. And as long as the water will splash at the shore, fish will remain one of the main heroes of our collective unconscious.

Permanent link to this publication: