One of the earliest symbols of Christianity was the Christogram - a combination of letters from the name and appellations of Jesus. In the fourth century, this symbol was even more common than the cross, which only became popular in the fifth century. The Christogram signified Jesus' victory and occasionally Jesus himself, and was regarded as having a protective power.

Another early Christian symbol was the fish. The word "fish" in Greek - IXYC - is also an acronym for the phrase: "Jesus Christ Son of God the Savior." Already found in Hellenistic art, was adopted as a Christian symbol as early as the second century. The stories of Jesus' miracles involving fish, such as the miracle of the bread and the fish (Matthew 14:17-21), added to its potency as a symbol. Thus even when it appeared in context that was not originally associated with Christianity, the fish could be interpreted as a Christian symbol.

Pottery bowls with stamped motifs in the center - a fish and a Christogram
Provenance unknown, 4th-5th century
The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, 69.12.559
Collection of the Wolff Family, Jerusalem
Photos: The Israel Museum, Jerusalem / by Avraham Hay

In the Days of Jesus |In the Early Church |Pilgrimage |Images & Symbols |Monasticism in the Holy Land