Why do people eat fish on Good Friday? Everything to know

The celebration is kicked off by Palm Sunday and continues over the course of Holy Week before ending on Easter Sunday (April 20), which marks the day Jesus rose from the dead.

While eating Easter eggs is a culinary tradition enjoyed by nearly all, some may be less familiar with the custom of eating fish on Good Friday (April 18 this year).

Why do people eat fish on Good Friday?

Eating fish on Good Friday is a tradition dating back to a rule set out by the Catholic Church. (Image: Getty Images)

The tradition of only eating fish on Good Friday comes from a Catholic rule of not consuming the meat of warm-blooded animals on Fridays.

When this rule was decreed by the Catholic Church, many opted to eat fish instead. This rule was later modified by the organisation.

For other Christian groups, the tradition is very symbolic as Jesus referred to his disciples as “fishers of men”.

Early Christians would also identify themselves using a fish symbol, a practice that continues today.

For many non-Christians, the tradition persists with many choosing to only eat fish on this day.

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What is Good Friday?

Good Friday, which takes place around Easter, is the day that commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

This day is observed by many Christian denominations, including the Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican and Presbyterian churches.

The date of Good Friday varies every year in both the Gregorian and Julian calendars.

The day is also a bank holiday for many around the world, including in parts of the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany.

The term “Good” Friday comes from the pious and holy sense of the word, with this being in common use across the faith (i.e The Good Book etc).