TYPE: Incarnation of the god Visnu
ORIGIN: Hindu (Epic and Puranic)
INFORMATION: In this first avatara Visnu appears as a fish which, according to one legend, tows a ship carrying the law-giver Manu to safety after the primal flood. Matsya engages in an epic battle with the demon Hayagriva who stole the Vedas from a sleeping Brahma. Usually depicted with a human torso carrying symbols, e.g. Wheel and conch, on a fish's body.