"Misinterperate? Y/N:"

I like symbolism so much that I have a fair sized collection of pictures and scans that I keep. I have always had an eye for things that took a different path to get to the same place like symbols. For the purpose of this post though it relates to Christian symbols and their meanings. On Thursday I went out to my car and noticed the silver fish on the trunk was falling off. The silver fish is often used by Christians and evolutionists. Its use is so wide spread I would be surprised if you haven't seen them (at least in America). Anyway, it was done for so I pulled it off and after cleaning the stickiness off that night with WD-40 (WD-40 is the "all-purpose" liquid equivalent to duct-tape) went to get a new one. Now their are many types like ones with crosses in them, ones with Jesus in them, ones with Greek letters in them, and plain ones in gold or silver to name a few. I always go with the plain silver. When I got home and went to put it on I realized I had cleaned the car so well that I couldn't remember which direction it was supposed to swim. Of course the packaging was useless so I put it on facing right. The next day I was thinking back to some research I had previously done on the symbol itself and got a bit concerned over what I had remembered.

The story goes like this, some people attribute the direction of the fish to mean different things. Left (for whatever reason) is the traditional Christian version while right (in some circles) is supposed to be interperated as a Satanic version. Most if not all the sources that say the later are Atheist, but some are actually Christians. That was all I could remember at the time so I re-researched it and found no true reason for that belief. Even the Christians who said such were unfounded. On the other hand I think to myself, "Should I really be putting that symbol out anyway? I mean if I'm gonna be a little concerned why not follow it through." Many symbols used in the church as well as dates are known to have had pagan (which is to say Satanic) origins and unfortunatly the fish is one of these. It has been said that the church has overtaken pagan holidays and symbols in an attempt to overtake the pagan beliefs themselves. So did it work? Well, such holidays and symbols are predominantly if not entirely considered Christian related now so I guess so. Still, I don't like the idea that someone with a warped view of the faith or historic knowledge of the symbol applying their warpedness to me for sporting it. I believe the vast majoirty of believers and non-believers don't have a clue as to the origins of our symbols and holidays. (Of course, I tend to not give people enough credit) Which was the point of overtaking them in the first place. I realize trinkets are just that, but as long as your beliefs are showing through your living and not just your necklace what is wrong with having them? Still, something isn't sitting right with the idea of leaving it on the car now. Would I feel better if I put a new one on going the rigth way? Better yes, but I'm not sure if it would do. What is wrong with having a trinket that "used" to mean something else when it means something completely different now. What's more important, origins or current intent/purpose? If your faith is the same as my faith then the answer would seem clear.

Confused about the possible historical links to pagan fish symbols? I doubt I can summarize things correctly as the sources are not as legitimate or as extensive as I'd like. For what it's worth in many ancient (seemingly long gone) cultures and faiths the symbol applied itself to fish, moon, and womb. All of which are symbols of the Goddess and fertility which were well knonw pagan religious focuses all to popular in biblical times. We are told as Christians that under Roman persectution the early believers used the symbol as a sort of code word or sign. One person would make half the symbol in the ground and another believer would finish the other arc. When done in the market place in a city or village (a common hub of city activity) it might have gone unnoticed by non-belivers as fish then was equally popular then as today if not more so. The symbol would not have stood out especially if covered upon completion.

I'll just give up on the fish and get one that says "Jesus" without the fish. Misinterperate that!