A history of people and fish: The symbolic meaning of fish

The symbolic meaning of fish across faiths and cultures. Learn how eating fish has carried spiritual and social meaning throughout history.
Fishmongers • HFX • NS
Fishmongers • HFX • NS

The symbolic meaning of fish across faiths and cultures. Learn how eating fish has carried spiritual and social meaning throughout history.

Rivers, lakes, and coasts were humanity’s first lifelines. Learn how the history of fishing communities reveals the connection between water, food, and settlement.

Cod was more than food. The Salt Cod Trade History shows how it became currency, powered empires, collapsed under overfishing, and is now slowly rebuilding.

Fish gave early humans the nutrients to grow larger brains and rise above the food chain. Explore the evidence that makes fish and brain evolution a defining story of humanity.

Smoked haddock is cold-smoked Finnan haddie, hot-smoked Arbroath smokies, Cullen Skink from a Moray fishing village, kedgeree from colonial India by way of Victorian breakfasts, and an omelette at the Savoy that outlived the novelist it was named for. It's one of the more well-travelled fish on the planet.