Matsya is the fish avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu. Often described as the first of Vishnu's ten primary avatars, Matsya is described to have rescued the first man, Manu, from a great deluge. Matsya may be depicted as a giant fish, often golden in color, or anthropomorphically with the torso of Vishnu connected to the rear half of a fish.
Matsya avatar in British Museum, 1820
Matsya, Central India, 9th - 10th century. British Museum.
Vishnu-Matsya appearing from mouth of a horned fish, pulling the boat with Manu and the seven sages. Matsya has recovered the Vedic scriptures from the demon Hayagriva, who lies dead in the ocean. c. 1860-1870. V&A Museum.
Manu with the seven sages in a boat tied by a serpent to Matsya (left bottom); Indra and Brahma pay their respects to Vishnu as Matsya, who is slaying the daitya Hayagriva - who hides in a conch. Mewar, circa 1840
Avatar is a concept within Hinduism that in Sanskrit literally means 'descent'. It signifies the material appearance or incarnation of a powerful deity, or spirit on Earth. The relative verb to "alight, to make one's appearance" is sometimes used to refer to any guru or revered human being.
Hindu god Vishnu (centre) surrounded by his ten major avatars, namely Matsya; Kurma; Varaha; Narasimha; Vamana; Parashurama; Rama; Krishna; Buddha, and Kalki
Mohini, the female avatar of Vishnu (statue at Belur temple, Karnataka.)
Sharabha (right) with Narasimha (18th-century painting, Pahari/Kangra School)
Jhulelal, incarnation of Varuna
