The Feast of the Seven Fishes (2024)

FAQs

What does the feast of the seven fishes represent? ›

What is the significance of the Feast of the Seven Fishes? There's no real consensus on what the seven fishes signify—some people claim the number seven symbolizes the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church while others say it's meant to represent the seven days of the week or the seven hills of Rome.

This pasta involves seven fish: clams, mussels, halibut, shrimp, anchovy, calamari and scallops.

The significance of the seven fishes has a number of symbolic representations: the number of sacraments, the seven days of creation, the seven virtues, the seven deadly sins and the seven days it took Mary and Joseph to reach Bethlehem before baby Jesus was born.

Origins and tradition

This celebration commemorates the wait, the Vigilia di Natale, for the midnight birth of the baby Jesus. The long tradition of eating seafood on Christmas Eve dates from the Roman Catholic tradition of abstaining from eating meat on the eve of a feast day.

Basically, the fish represents the phrase of “Jesus Christ God's Son is Savior.” Some research has suggested that the fish symbol emerged in the first century or even before Jesus died on the cross, but nothing has been confirmed as to when the symbol and its meaning first began.

Typical "fishes" include baccalà (salt cod), frutti di mare (shellfish), capitone (eel), calamari (squid), scungilli (conch meat) and vongole (clams). Fried vegetables are also a popular accompaniment to the fish; expect fried artichokes, pickled vegetables, fried squash blossoms, and other treats.

Early the next morning, Jesus (whom they had not recognised) called out to them from the shore: Friends, haven't you any fish?" When they reply in the negative (the question in Greek uses a particle which expects the answer "No"), Jesus responds: "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some".

The Greek word for fish, "Ichthys," also served as an acronym for "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior." The biblical meaning of fish represents faith, God's creative power, and Jesus' teachings, and carries significant symbolism in the Christian faith.

Feast of the Seven Fishes, also known as La Vigilia (The Vigil), is a Sicilian-American traditional dinner on Christmas Eve. Like many Italian traditions, the origin and rules are debated.

Italian origins

In Italy, the holiday is simply “la vigilia,” “the eve” of Christmas. And fish is really only eaten in Southern Italy on the holiday. This is because the feast has evolved to be uniquely Italian American over the past hundred years.

Is there a movie called Feast of the Seven Fishes? ›

Feast of the Seven Fishes is a 2018 American comedy film written and directed by Robert Tinnell and starring Skyler Gisondo, Madison Iseman, Jessica Darrow, Addison Timlin, Josh Helman, Joe Pantoliano, Paul Ben-Victor, and Ray Abruzzo.

What did the fish represent? Above all, it was Jesus Christ. The dominant language of the early Church was Greek, and in Greek the phrase “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior” produced the acronym ICHTHYS, the Greek word for fish.

Later, when Stevie (John Mulaney) says grace under duress, he surmises that it represents taking time out to prepare seven carefully crafted dishes to “show them that we love them.” Everyone is wrong — the concept of the fishes actually represents the vigil, or the long wait for the baby Jesus, in addition to the fact ...

The life story of a large Italian family on Christmas Eve as they prepare for the traditional Feast of the Seven Fishes. The family members reminisce about the past and seek love in the future.

Feast of the Seven Fishes / Film synopsis

The Feast of the Seven Fishes is an Italian-American celebration held on Christmas Eve. Traditionally, it is a time for families to share a seafood repast composed of seven courses using a variety of fishes, shellfish, and eel. Typical dishes might include anchovies, clams, octopus and cod.