Page 86 - Fish and Amphibians (Britannica Illustrated Science Library)

82 PEOPLE, FISH, AND AMPHIBIANS F FISH AND AMPHIBIANS 83

Myth and Legend Greek Egyptians
The Greek gods of the sea represent the
most elementary forces of nature. The
Trident Egyptian life revolved
The symbol of Greeks are known for originating many myths, around the Nile River,
ods, demigods, princes in disguise, and religious symbols. In the sea gods. such as that of Poseidon (Neptune in Roman
Poseidon could mythology), a brother of Zeus and son of which was considered the
field of myth, fish and amphibians embody powerful, mysterious crumble cliffs or source of life and the sole
calm the ocean's Cronus and Rhea. Not only did Poseidon have basis for the existence of this
G forces of nature. Because they are aquatic, these smooth-skinned water with one power over the waves, but he could also ancient civilization. The river
blow from his unleash storms, smash cliffs, and cause
creatures are associated with “primordial waters.” Thus, they symbolize trident, as with a springs to burst forth from the ensured harvests and provided
the origin of life and resurrection. Through ancient texts, artifacts, and magic wand. ground. The sovereign of the seas, he a habitat for many types of
small animals, including frogs
murals, we know that throughout history, many of these creatures have was portrayed holding a trident, a and snakes. In mythology, this
tool used by tuna fishers, and riding
been regarded as supernatural and auspicious. a chariot, surrounded by various pair of gods (Khnum and
Naunet) represent the
fish and sea animals. His son, fish- primordial waters.
tailed Triton, could control the
waves by blowing a conch shell.
Other sea-dwelling creatures
included the Nereids (with
bodies covered in scales) and China
the seductive mermaids, According to Chinese mythology, the half-
Christianity who captivated mortals. human and half-amphibian couple Fu Hsi and
Nü Kua founded the Chinese civilization after a great
The fish is one of the most flood in the year 3222 BC. Fu Hsi is also considered
important symbols used by the originator of the I Ching.
early Christians. It may have been
inspired by the miraculous multiplying
of the loaves and fishes or by the meal
shared by the seven disciples on the
shores of the Sea of Galilee after the
resurrection. But its popularity would seem
to stem from the well-known acronym of five
Greek letters that spell the Greek word for fish:
ichthys. These words briefly and concisely
describe Christ's character, as well as the
Christians' beliefs about Him: Iesous Christos Theou
Yios Soter-that is, Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.
It is believed that the early Christians traced two
concave lines in the sand, which crossed to form a fish.
The anchor, closer to a cross, was also used as a symbol.

CHINA
Lacquer
FISH IN RELIEF
A mural featuring fish in bas-relief, tray from the
a sample of symbolism from the Qin dynasty,
early Christians EARLY with fish motif
CHRISTIANITY
Basilica of Aquileia
Detail of a fish in
The Americas one of its mosaic
floors
Challwa is the Quechua name for fish The Frog Prince
in Andean traditions. In the beginning
there was not a single fish in the sea, Throughout history, the
because fish belonged exclusively to the toad has been regarded as
goddess Hurpayhuachac, who raised them in a symbol of the unsightly. A
a small well in her house. Once the god folktale tells the story of a frog
Cuniraya Viracocha, who was courting one prince who finally regains his
of Hurpayhuachac's daughters, became human identity. One day a
angry with the goddess and threw her fish princess is moved by a sacrifice
into the ocean. In that instant the oceans from the toad and kisses it.
were populated, and humankind was now This act returns the animal
able to rely on this new source of food. A XÓLOTL to its original state,
few fish keep sacred characteristics. An Nahuatl name for that of a handsome
the brother of
example is the golden croaker, which some GREECE Prince Charming,
Quetzalcóatl
peasants claim to have spotted at Lake The axolotl, Poseidon who had been the
Orovilca in Ica. In Central America, the Ambystoma (Neptune) victim of a spell.
calming the
Maya included the toad in the Popol Vuh, or mexicanum, is an waves as
Book of Creation. The axolotl takes its name amphibian native represented by a
to Mexico that
from the god Xólotl (“monster” in Nahuatl), has divine origins, marble statue in
whose feet were backward. according to the the Louvre
Museum in Paris
ancient Maya.