why eat fish on good friday

The tradition of eating fish on Good Friday is rooted in Christian practice, especially among Catholics, who commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on this day. Because Jesus sacrificed his flesh and blood for humanity's sins, the Vatican decreed abstinence from eating meat from warm-blooded animals (such as beef, pork, and poultry) on Good Friday as a form of penance and remembrance. Fish, being cold-blooded, is considered a different type of flesh, making it permissible to eat on this day. Additionally, fish has symbolic meanings in Christianity, as many of Jesus' apostles were fishermen, and fish served as a secret sign among early Christians. This meat abstinence on Fridays, particularly during Lent, has historical significance as a voluntary sacrifice and act of humility, given that meat was historically regarded as a luxury. The practice has evolved to become a cultural tradition observed even by many non-religious people, often manifesting as enjoying fish dishes like fish and chips on Good Friday. In summary, fish is eaten on Good Friday as a symbolic and traditional substitute for meat, honoring Jesus' sacrifice and adhering to centuries-old Christian rules of abstinence and penance.