ΒΧΜ

Clay hanging lamp in the form of a fish. From its mouth emerges the head of another, smaller, upturned fish, which provides the wick hole for the lamp. In the back there is another fill and air hole. The fish symbol was used by the first Christians especially in the catacombs and in funerary inscriptions as a symbol of salvation. The fish symbolizes Christ himself, since the letters of the word ΙΧΘΥΣ (= fish in Greek) form the acronym of the phrase: Ιησούς Χριστός Θεού Υιός Σωτήρ (= Jesus Christ Son of God Savior). In the Byzantine Museum’s permanent exhibition there are many lamps; as means of illumination they could be found in domestic spaces, places of worship or burning next to a tomb.