Shokugan glass bottle in the shape of a fish

Glass vessels seem to have been primarily functional rather than ritual objects; their main use was as containers for cosmetics and precious oils. However, in this case the fish design might hint at some further meaning. This is a Nile tilapia fish, which hatches and shelters her young in her mouth. The emergence of this live offspring from the tilapia's mouth led to the fish being used as a symbol of rebirth and regeneration.