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Dove Symbol
There is no exact definition for any symbol; each symbol is open to
interpretation and birds are no exception to this. Their symbolism
can vary greatly depending on different cultures and religion. The
Dove is generally thought to be a symbol of peace. In Christianity,
the dove is a symbol of the holy spirit (holy ghost), and represents
the soul. It is also symbolic of love. A pair of doves is believed
to be a symbol of love and fidelity. Doves are often released by
couples on their wedding day as a symbol of purity and to signify
the beginning of their new life together.
Dove Symbol
- Meaning
Doves are from the
Columbidae family. They are stout-bodied birds with short necks and
slender . Doves feed on seeds, fruits, and plants.
Dove Symbol - Color
Symbolism
The dove is symbol
of innocence, gentleness, and affection; also, in art as well as in
the Scriptures, it is the typical symbol of the Holy Ghost. God sent
his spirit in the form of a dove to gather mankind into his church.
The meanings of the colors of the dove are:
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Red Dove - A symbol showing how
Christ redeemed man with his blood
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Speckled Dove - A symbol which
represents the diversity of the twelve
prophets
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White Dove - A symbol of innocence,
gentleness and peace
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Dove Symbol -
Facts
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Like the Pigeon, Doves can be used to carry messages due to
their amazing homing instinct
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The dove is a symbol of Martyrdom in Christianity
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Doves feed their young on milk like mammals do, the 'milk' is
produced from the parents throat and fed to the young chicks,
this is called 'Crop Milk'
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In certain cultures Doves are a food source
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In Greek mythology, the dove was a symbol of several gods
including Aphrodite and Zeus
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The seven gifts of the holy spirit are often depicted by a cross
surrounded by seven doves symbolizing wisdom, knowledge,
counsel, understanding, piety, knowledge and fear of the lord
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According to the Hebrew Tanakh, Doves are kosher and they are
the only bird which can be used in the Korban which is a
sacrificial offering
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Doves are the emblem or symbol of Saint Benedict
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The environmental group Greenpeace uses the image of a dove
carrying an olive branch as a symbol of peace and hope
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A
pair of doves is a symbol of love and fidelity. A pair of doves
are often released by a newly married couple as a sign of their
commitment, love and fidelity to each other
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Doves are considered a sacred bird in many cultures
Dove Symbol -
Dream Explanation
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Seeing doves in your dream, symbolizes peace, tranquillity,
harmony, and innocence.
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To see white doves in your dream, is a symbol of loyalty and
friendships. It may also represent a message and blessing from
the Holy Spirit. You have let go of your thoughts of hate and
revenge.
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To dream that doves are mating and building a nest, is a symbol
of a joyous home life filled with tranquillity, pleasure and
obedient children.
Dream Interpretation
- Significance of Bird Symbol
The following
explanation of dreams involving birds in general is taken from the book entitled 'Dream
Dictionary (10,000 Dreams Interpreted - by Gustavus Hindman Miller)':
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It is a favorable symbol in a dream to see birds of beautiful plumage. A
wealthy and happy partner is near if a woman has dreams of this
nature
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Moulting and song less birds, could denote merciless and inhuman
treatment of the outcast and fallen by people of wealth
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To see a wounded bird, is a symbol of fateful of deep sadness caused by
erring offspring
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To see flying birds, is a symbol of prosperity to the dreamer. All
disagreeable environments will vanish before the wave of
prospective good
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To catch birds, is not at all bad. To hear them speak, is owning
one's inability to perform tasks that demand great clearness of
perception.
Dove Symbol - Christian Significance
In the bible,
a dove returned to Noah with an olive branch to tell him that the
flood waters had abated, and that the Great Flood of God's judgment
was over:
'He
waited seven more days and again sent out the dove from the ark. 11
When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was
a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had
receded from the earth. '
(Gen. 8:10)
Dove Symbol - Christian Definition
The following
definition of the dove symbol is taken from the Easton Bible Dictionary:
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In
their wild state doves generally build their nests in the clefts
of rocks, but when domesticated "dove-cots" are prepared for
them (Cant. 2:14; Jer. 48:28; Isa. 60:8)
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The
dove was placed on the standards of the Assyrians and
Babylonians in honour, it is supposed, of Semiramis (Jer. 25:38;
Vulg., "fierceness of the dove;" comp. Jer. 46:16; 50:16).
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Doves and turtle-doves were the only birds that could be offered
in sacrifice, as they were clean according to the Mosaic law (Ge.
15:9; Lev. 5:7; 12:6; Luke 2:24).
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The
dove was the harbinger of peace to Noah (Gen. 8:8, 10).
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The
dove is often mentioned as the emblem of purity (Ps. 68:13). It
is a symbol of the Holy Spirit (Gen. 1:2; Matt. 3:16; Mark 1:10;
Luke 3:22; John 1:32); also of tender and devoted affection
(Cant. 1:15; 2:14).
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David in his distress wished that he had the wings of a dove,
that he might fly away and be at rest (Ps. 55:6-8).
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There is a species of dove found at Damascus "whose feathers,
all except the wings, are literally as yellow as gold" (68:13).
Dove Symbol
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