<P> The first appearances of the ichthys symbol in Christian art and literature date to the 2nd century AD . The symbol 's use among Christians had become popular by the late 2nd century , and its use spread widely in the 3rd and 4th centuries . The symbolism of the fish itself may have its origins in pre-Christian religious imagery . For example , Orpheus was described as a `` fisher of men '' as early as the 3rd or fourth century BC . The fish was used as a symbol in a number of other near - eastern religions as well , often as a sacred ( or taboo ) food . The fish was sacred to the goddess Atargatis , for example , who was said to cause tumors in those who ate them . Fish were only allowed to be eaten by priests during rituals devoted to Atargatis , in the belief that they represented her body . Despite the thematic similarities of these various sacred fish , some scholars have argued that there is no direct link between them and the Christian symbol or practice of the Eucharist ; instead , the Christian usage was probably simply part of a larger , popular religious motif of the time . In the early Church , the Ichthys symbol held `` the most sacred significance '' , and Christians used it to recognize churches and other believers through this symbol because they were persecuted by the Roman Empire . The Ichtus symbol is also a reference to `` the Holy Eucharist , with which the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes had such intimate connection both in point of time and significance . '' While many Christians hang a cross necklace or rosary inside their vehicles , `` the fish sticker on the car is a more conscious symbol of a witnessing Christian -- significantly , unlike the former , it is on the outside of the car for everyone to see '' . </P>
<P> The first appearances of the ichthys symbol in Christian art and literature date to the 2nd century AD . The symbol 's use among Christians had become popular by the late 2nd century , and its use spread widely in the 3rd and 4th centuries . The symbolism of the fish itself may have its origins in pre-Christian religious imagery . For example , Orpheus was described as a `` fisher of men '' as early as the 3rd or fourth century BC . The fish was used as a symbol in a number of other near - eastern religions as well , often as a sacred ( or taboo ) food . The fish was sacred to the goddess Atargatis , for example , who was said to cause tumors in those who ate them . Fish were only allowed to be eaten by priests during rituals devoted to Atargatis , in the belief that they represented her body . Despite the thematic similarities of these various sacred fish , some scholars have argued that there is no direct link between them and the Christian symbol or practice of the Eucharist ; instead , the Christian usage was probably simply part of a larger , popular religious motif of the time . In the early Church , the Ichthys symbol held `` the most sacred significance '' , and Christians used it to recognize churches and other believers through this symbol because they were persecuted by the Roman Empire . The Ichtus symbol is also a reference to `` the Holy Eucharist , with which the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes had such intimate connection both in point of time and significance . '' While many Christians hang a cross necklace or rosary inside their vehicles , `` the fish sticker on the car is a more conscious symbol of a witnessing Christian -- significantly , unlike the former , it is on the outside of the car for everyone to see '' . </P>
when did the christian fish symbol come from
when did the christian fish symbol come from
the 2nd century AD
the 2nd century AD