Fish Symbolism & Meaning (+ Spirit, Totem & Omens)

Are you interested in the Fish Spirit Animal? Then this guide is for you!

Fish are held in high regard all over the world because they are a rich supply of protein. They are also powerful spiritual symbols in many cultures.

They stand for our unconscious mind, healing, and cleansing.

When the fish spirit animal comes into your life, it’s asking you to get in touch with the spiritual mysteries of the Universe.

What’s the Fish’s Meaning and Symbolism?

Spiritual Enlightenment and Awakening

Fish have been used across the world as powerful spiritual symbols. They provide the spiritual energy you need to connect to the spiritual mysteries of the Universe.

The Power of the Unconscious Mind

Fish represent the direction we are given by our unconscious mind. This link comes about because fish has a close connection with water.

To the unconscious mind, water provides the fuel or channel through which you can tap into the positive energies of the Universe.

Courage and Confidence

The fish symbolism is a stabilizing force when you are going through moments of self-doubt and uncertainty.

Fish challenges you to dive into the depths of your inner being and create the balance you need to excel.

Healing and Recovery

As your spirit animal, fish brings the positive qualities of the water element into your life. Water has excellent healing properties – this is what your spirit guide wants you to benefit from.

Symbolic Meaning of Fish Spirit Animal in Various Cultures

Fish Symbolism in Christian Culture

The fish symbol is featured prominently in the Bible and other Christian scriptures. For example, Jesus commissions his disciples to go out there and become fishers of men.

Here, Christ is telling his disciples to use the knowledge and power he had given them to win more souls to Christianity.

As such, fish is seen as a symbol of devotion, commitment, and obedience.

Elsewhere, the Bible records that Jesus used five loaves of bread and two fishes to feed a multitude of 5000.

This indicates that fish is a powerful symbol of physical and spiritual nourishment. It represents the Christian’s desire to serve in the Kingdom of Heaven to reap the reward of eternal life.

A story drawn from the Old Testament tells the story of Jonah, who refused to go to Nineveh after being sent by God.

He decided to run away aboard a ship to Jaffa instead. God causes a storm that sees Jonah tossed overboard into the waters by the crew.

A fish swallows Jonah and delivers him to Nineveh where he repents and delivers the message he had been given.

Here, fish symbolizes the all-knowing, all-powerful nature of God.

Fish Symbolism in African Culture

Africans looked at the fish as a source of fertility. African shamans used to prepare special medicine from fish eggs to be administered to barren couples.

Also, fish in the African context represented new beginnings. According to the Mande tribe of Mali, fish were among the first beings to be brought into this world.

Myth has it that Mangala, the creator god, produced two fish from some seeds he had planted in the cosmic womb.

He dropped the two fish into the waters of the earth, from where every living being emerged. This narrative somewhat has some congruence to Darwin’s theory of evolution.

The symbolism of the two fish is also seen in ancient Egypt. The Egyptians believed that the Tilapia had magical and mythical powers.

Legend says that a pair of these fish worked closely with the god of rivers, lakes, and seas to secure all marine life in Egypt.

Fish Symbolism in Native American Culture

Native Americans had a unique way of connecting with animals and natural phenomena.

They believed that certain fish had supernatural powers, and treated them with the reverence they deserved.

The Caddo, Lenape, Iroquois, and other tribes from the east had fish clans.

They carved fish images of catfish, salmon, halibut, and sturgeon on totem poles and placed them at important places of worship.

Most of these tribes held a ritual of fish dances in which they celebrated the fortune and luck that had visited the tribe in the preceding period.

The Hopi believed that fish had special powers to shuttle between this world and the underworld. As such, they were very careful while fishing not to engage in talks that would anger the water spirits.

They believed that whenever they were close to a large body of water, the dead could hear them loud and clear.

Native Americans valued some fish species such as salmon for their medicinal value.

Fish Symbolism in Celtic Culture

The Celts held all living creatures in high regard. They believed that every animal had been commissioned by a deity to play an important role in the lives of humans.

Celtic mythology reveals that fish was linked to fertility, wisdom, and vitality. Some fish were more powerful than others.

Take the salmon, for example. The Celts believed that this was no ordinary fish.

They felt that this fish was a manifestation of a powerful deity who came closer to humans to help them understand the laws of the Universe.

The salmon provided humans with esoteric knowledge and an understanding of their entire spirituality.

According to Irish myths, salmon is full of knowledge and wisdom. This fish was once given a tour of heaven where he drank wisdom from the Well of Wisdom.

Fish Symbolism in Eastern Culture

Most cultures in the east look at the fish as a symbol of wealth, abundance, and prosperity.

It was believed that eating fish regularly would not only increase wisdom, but attract fortune and good luck, as well.

Fish feature prominently in Chinese folklore. The most prominent of the fishes is the koi fish, the carp. This fish was believed to offer fertility, growth, and progress to newlyweds.

The koi fish was given as a special gift to the bride and the groom at a wedding to ensure they remained faithful to each other in marriage.

This gift also ensured that the couple had a happy marriage that would be marked with peace and concern for each other.

In the art of Feng Shui, colorful fish are arranged in the house to attract abundance and good fortune to the home.

When the Fish is Your Spirit Animal

The fish spirit animal teaches you to be adaptable. Things will not always go the way you want them to; life is full of twists and turns.

Many cultures indicate that fish have been around since the beginning of time. As your spirit animal, fish gives you hope about your future.

You should believe in yourself, and believe that your goals are viable and long-lasting. This means you should constantly come up with new ideas to fuel your dreams.

The fish spirit animal wants you to grow and evolve. With this animal on your side, you’ll learn to swim with the flow of life.

You will not remain in the same spot for long. The fish spirit animal keeps you on the move exploring new vistas of your life.

The Fish Power Animal

The fish power animal brings a message of love and hope. You can call on this spirit guide if you feel lost and alone.

Your power guide enables you to make the right decisions concerning your life.

The fish power guide wants you to create the right work-life balance. Likely, you have been paying too much attention to your work and not enough to your loved ones.

This power guide urges you to get your priority right. Take a step back from your busy schedule to be with your family.

The fish power animal gives you the support you need to rise when you are feeling unhappy and uneasy.

The Fish Totem Animal

People with the fish totem are not scared of change. They know that to move to the next level of their existence, they must embrace change.

The fish totem enables you to take risks where necessary. With this totem on your side, you instinctively know what needs to be done to achieve your goals and dreams.

If you were born with the fish totem, you’ll instinctively know that challenges are stepping stones to growth and greatness.

Challenges force you to think outside the box, to use all your skills and talents to elevate your life. The fish totem looks at challenges and opportunities as two sides of the same coin.

Fish Encounters and Omens

Fish are symbols of good luck and individuality. An encounter with this animal is a sign that you should depend on your skills and abilities to create luck in your life.

Seeing a fish swimming upriver indicates determination. It tells you that regardless of how tough things seem, you have what it takes to claim victory.

The fish symbol is closely associated with bravery. An encounter with a fish reminds you to face your challenges courageously.

Don’t be afraid to work for the life you’d like to enjoy.

To see fish jumping out of water calls on you to be decisive in your decision-making process. Move with speed once an opportunity presents itself, lest that opportunity is taken away from you.

If you have been laying the groundwork for an important project, it will be successful. Fish symbolism indicates fertility and success.

Fish Tattoo Meaning

Having a fish tattoo reinforces your wish to lead a successful life. It is a confirmation that you have opened your mind and heart to receive positive energies.

A fish tattoo indicates fertility and femininity. It is an indication that you support motherhood and the good work being done by mothers.

To a Christian, a fish tattoo means you are true to your calling. Your love for Christ and his teachings is unshakable.

People with the fish tattoo are at peace with themselves. They have created the right balance to enjoy peace and harmony in their lives.

What’s the Meaning of Fish Dreams?

To dream of fish out of the water means unhappiness. This dream challenges you to get in touch with your life’s purpose.

Dreaming of a big fish indicates you have the power to handle negative energies directed towards you.

To dream of catching a fish tells you to put your imagination and creativity to good use.

To see a dead fish in your dream means you are slowly losing the way; you need to get back on track.

Dreaming of fish eggs indicates that your projects and plans will come to fruition.

To dream that you are eating fish tells you to boost your spirituality. Engage in the kind of activities that open your life to uplifting spiritual experiences.

To dream of fish scales means you are doing well so far. Keep up the good work you have been doing.

Final Thoughts…

The fish symbol has become fodder for many mythologies across the world. This is because the stellar qualities of this animal can be felt in almost every sphere of our existence.

Overall, the fish spirit animal wants you to get in touch with your spiritual tools.