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The Fish - Sign of the Christian - Printed Yard Signs Symbol

Among the signs and symbols employed by the early Christians, that of the fish seems to have ranked first in importance. Indeed, from monumental sources such as tombs we know that the symbolic fish was familiar to Christians from the earliest times. It can be seen in such Roman monuments as the Capella Greca and the Sacrament Chapels of the catacomb of St Callistus. The fish was depicted as a Christian symbol in the first decades of the 2nd century. The symbol itself may have been suggested by the miraculous multiplication of the loaves and fishes or the repast of the seven Disciples, after the Resurrection, on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.[5] Its popularity among Christians was due principally, it would seem, to the famous acrostic consisting of the initial letters of five Greek words forming the word for fish (Ichthys), which words briefly but clearly described the character of Christ and the claim to worship of believers: Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour.

The sign of the fish has been the Christian symbol from the first century. Jesus told us to be fishers of men.

Mark 1:17: Come after Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.
Matthew 14:17: And they said to Him, 'We have here only five loaves and two fish.

Among the symbols employed by the primitive Christians, that of the fish ranks probably first in importance.

While the use of the fish in pagan art as a purely decorative sign is ancient and constant, the earliest literary reference to the symbolic fish sign is made by Clement of Alexandria, born about 150, who recommends his readers to have their seals engraved with a dove or a fish. Clement did not consider it necessary to give any reason for this recommendation, from which it may be safely be inferred that the meaning of both symbols was unnecessary. Indeed, from monumental yard sources we know that the symbolic fish was familiar to Christians long before the famous Alexandrian was born; in such Roman monuments as the Capella Greca and the Sacrament Chapels of the catacomb of St. Callistus, the fish was depicted as a symbol in the first decades of the second century.

The Christian fish symbol is often used in phone books to advertise Christian businesses and also used on yard signs.

Christian Yard Sign Advertising

Churches may have custom made yard signs to advertise their Vacation Bible School The Yard Signs and durable plastic yard signs at Plastic Yard Signs