Baha'i Faith/Symbolism/Fish

The symbol of the fish is popular in Christianity as well as the Baha'i faith. Like many other symbols, it is used to demonstrate unity in the Baha'i faith. The fish are viewed as creatures that depend on each other and on the ocean. In this analogy, the ocean is often used as the symbol of truth. Sometimes fish are said to be struggling to get to the water of truth. In many cases, the fish demonstrates the potential problems that materialism can have on a community.

Relation to Other Symbols

The symbol of the fish often interacts with other symbols such as the ocean. But, the interactions between the individual fish is also emphasized. A fish should cooperate with other fish in the ocean. If this cooperation does not occur, the fish would rather jump out of the water to be closer to the Sun.

Baha'u'llah

The earliest known mentions of fish came from Baha'u'llah. According to the Baha'i online library, The Bab never actually mentioned fish at all. But, Baha'u'llah seems to be using fish to demonstrate humanities dependence on God and on each other. In the "The Summons of the Lord of Hosts" Baha'u'llah said that "My creatures are even as the fish of the deep. Their life dependeth upon the water, and yet they remain unaware of that which, by the grace of an omniscient and omnipotent Lord, sustaineth their very existence". So, the fish analogy is being used to create unity.

Abdu'l-Baha

Abdu'l-Baha makes frequent use of the fish analogy. He frequently emphasizes the fishes struggle to reach the water. For example, in "Some Answered Questions", Abdu'l-Baha writes "Since this is the station of searching after truth and seeking the knowledge of the real—that station wherein the sore athirst longs for the water of life and the struggling fish reaches the sea, wherein the ailing soul seeks the true physician and partakes of divine healing". So, he is integrating the quest for truth into this analogy.

Prayers

According to the Baha'i online library, only one Baha'i prayer makes mention of fish. The prayer was written by Abdu'l-Baha. So, the theme is consistent with his previous uses of this symbol. He writes "Thou hast led those with parched lips to the fountain of guidance; Thou hast suffered the thirsty fish to reach the ocean of reality; and Thou hast invited the wandering birds to the rose garden of grace". This statement is consistent with his use of the fish to demonstrate the human quest for truth.

External Links

• Multi Fest
• Baha'i Library