Is Fish Considered Meat During Lent? The Historical and Religious Reasons Explained

Every year during the 40 days of Lent, millions of Catholics around the world abstain from eating meat on Fridays. But while red meat, poultry, and other animal products are prohibited, fish remains permissible. Why is that? What is the reasoning behind fish not being classified as meat in the context of Lent?

The tradition of abstaining from meat during Lent dates back centuries But the separation between land animals and sea creatures when it comes to fasting has always been a bit vague Read on to learn why fish is in its own culinary category for Catholics practicing Lent.

The Origins of Meat Abstinence During Lent

Lent is the approximately six-week period leading up to Easter It represents the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert while being tempted by Satan

By fasting and sacrificing during this time, Catholics are imitating Jesus’s suffering and testing. They are also preparing spiritually for Easter.

The practice of avoiding meat on Lenten Fridays (as well as Ash Wednesday and Good Friday) began as early as the 4th century. Initially, some devout Catholics avoided all animal products during this penitential season.

Over time, the rules relaxed. Meat was the primary focus of restriction. This tradition of Friday abstinence continued into the Middle Ages and beyond.

But why single out the consumption of flesh? There were a few reasons, both symbolic and practical.

Early Religious Explanations for the Fish vs Meat Division

In the 13th century, the influential theologian Thomas Aquinas gave several justifications for abstaining from meat but not fish during Lent.

Some of the explanations were allegorical. For instance, Aquinas noted that fish live in water while land animals live on the earth. This could represent Catholics turning away from worldly pleasures and toward heavenly ones during Lent.

There were also practical considerations. In medieval Europe, meat was a luxury eaten primarily by the wealthy. Fish and seafood were more widely available.

Eating modest meals of fish helped Christians identify with the suffering of Jesus and the poor. This theme of simplicity aligned with the somber spirit of Lent.

The Role of Fasting in Sexuality and “Vital Forces”

Perhaps Aquinas’s most interesting justification had to do with perceived effects on sexuality.

He believed consuming meat stimulated the production of lust and “vital spirit” more than eating fish did. Fasting from meat enabled a sense of restraint over carnal desires and worldly passion.

While these ideas may seem outdated today, they illustrate how food restrictions were once intrinsically tied to morality and temperance.

Later thinkers would focus more on the self-discipline aspect of Lenten sacrifice, rather than speculating on biological humors. But the no meat/fish division remained.

Formal Codification by the Catholic Church

Over the next several centuries, the tradition of avoiding land-animal meat was firmly established in Catholicism.

In 1966, Pope Paul VI formalized the current fasting rules for Lent. They allow for one full meal per day, plus two smaller meals that don’t equal a full meal.

Meat is prohibited on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays during Lent for Catholics age 14 and up. But fish, eggs, milk, and other animal products besides warm-blooded flesh are permitted.

The Church defines meat as flesh from mammals and birds, not including amphibians like frogs and reptiles like alligators. Fish and shellfish are OK.

Later Theological Explanations

Beyond original theories from Aquinas and other early thinkers, modern theologians have offered additional viewpoints on the meat distinction.

Father Patrick Keyes, a professor of theology, says fish are cold-blooded animals that were considered “fruit of the sea” in biblical times. This may justify them not being classified as meat.

Father Thomas Petri adds that fish in ancient societies weren’t associated with feasting and celebration the way beef, lamb, and poultry were. Choosing fish over meat reflects a humble commitment to fasting.

The Role of the Fishing Industry

Some speculate that promoting fish consumption also benefited the fishing industry in certain time periods. For instance, King Henry VIII’s break from Catholic fish-eating traditions negatively impacted England’s fishing economy.

But most food historians view this more as an unintended consequence rather than an ulterior motive behind the Church’s guidance.

Protecting fishing profits would not justify centuries of meat abstinence across multiple continents and cultures.

Is Fish Meat? Depends Who You Ask

Scientifically speaking, fish is the flesh of an animal used for food. By this definition, it qualifies as meat.

Yet traditional, ritualistic, and legal definitions sometimes categorize meat separately from fish. Kosher dietary laws also treat them differently, as do governments in setting import regulations.

So whether fish is considered meat depends on the context. The Catholic view during Lent provides one example of how fish occupies a distinct place because of tradition, symbolism, and theology.

Is Fish Better Ethically or Environmentally?

Some modern Catholics choose to abstain from all animal products on Lenten Fridays, citing environmental or ethical reasons.

Avoiding fish as well as other meats reduces pressure on overfished populations. It also aligns with ethical objections to eating any sentient animal.

But sustainable seafood and small fish farms with ethical practices can mitigate these concerns. Nutritionally, fish provides beneficial fats and proteins.

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops reinforces that seafood is licit during fasts. So vegetarianism remains a personal choice rather than doctrinal mandate.

Cultural Role of Fish During Lent

Despite changing attitudes, fish sticks, salmon patties, and tuna melts still dominate many Lenten dinner plates, especially on Fridays.

Some parishes hold communal fish fries as fundraisers and community gatherings. The cultural pull of seafood remains strong.

While the requirements are not as strict today, many Catholics still see value in maintaining this time-honored practice. Choosing fish instead of meat allows them to sustain tradition while flexing their spiritual discipline.

So while it may not align perfectly with today’s sensibilities, the division endures as a hallmark of Lenten sacrifice.

Whether fish “counts” as meat continues to be debated. But in the context of Lent, the Catholic Church holds firm to patterns established centuries ago.

Abstaining from flesh while still enjoying seafood presents Catholics with a small sacrifice rich in meaning. The lenten season provides an opportunity to reflect on faith, temptation, ethics, environmental impact, and the origins of long-held traditions.