"Eat Your Fish While it is Still Fresh..."

"Eat your fish while it is still fresh and marry your girl while she is still young." Thus runs the sensible (?) sounding wisdom of an old German proverb.

Fish folklore is rich and varied, yet common threads run across every imaginable culture. The fish, almost universally, is characterized as a female symbol. Because the fish is a denizen of the deep and its domain is water (with its connotation of the womb and birth), it is understood to symbolize Mother Earth and her fecundity. As a representative of female fertility, the fish is associated with many a creation myth --generating lively tales in Indian and African mythology, for example.





The astrological sign for Pisces

For those in the know, the fish (Pisces) in the Signs of the Zodiac, is also characterized as one of the female signs (passive and receptive that is, unlike, say the supposedly 'manly' Aries).  

As a Piscean, who is married to a fellow Piscean, I can smugly say that this is one of THE optimum astrological pairings...If you too are interested in establishing your compatability with other star signs, check out this fun astrological website, which will tell you outright who to make a bee-line for...and who to avoid! 

Have fun with this: Love compatability website.

With all the feminine connotations, it's odd therefore that in terms of its alleged capability as an aphrodisiac, fish (and seafood) is most beneficial to Men.   In science-lingo "fish provides long-chained fatty acids such as DHA and EPA...these fish oils could improve blood flow to the genital region and also have beneficial effects on seminal fluid and sperm."  Hmmm.

Luckily for all our male readers, The Herbiary sells supplements with fish oils at the Market.  And, better still, you can buy the highest quality fish and seafood (of any description) from  John Yi Fish Market, or The Golden Fish Market. 


If you don't fancy the lingering smell of fish in your house, feel free to cheat and visit The Oyster Bar for fresh oysters, clam chowder and other fish-related favorites. Or try Wan's Seafood or the Coastal Cave for fresh and prepared treats from the deep.

If Octopus is not your thing...look out for the salmon, cod and mackerel recipes which we'll be posting over the next few days.