The Hunter and the Fisherman
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The Hunter and the Fisherman embody the oldest activities that sustained human existence. In the “Cantata dei Pastori” (Tale of Shepherds) they are respectively called Ruscellio and Cidonio and they accompany Joseph and Mary at the Grotto, helping them overcome the difficulties that they encounter in their path. The hunter and the fisherman are also ancient representations of the cycle of death and life and of day and night.
The fish was the first symbol used by Christians during the persecutions in the Roman Empire. When depicting God was forbidden, Christians chose the fish as a symbol, because its Greek name (ichthys) is an acronym for Iesùs CHristòs THeù HYiòs Sotèr (Jesus Christ Son of God and Saviour). The fisherman in the nativity scene is a fisherman of souls, just like St. Peter, who comes to Rome to convert pagans and spread the faith in Jesus Christ.