Throughout history, across many cultures and religions, the dove has been a symbol of peace, love, hope, grace, the Holy Spirit, and new beginnings. Doves often appear in mythology, folklore, and spiritual stories as messengers from a higher power representing both physical and symbolic meanings.
Symbolism of Doves in Christianity
In Christianity, doves most commonly represent the Holy Spirit. There are several biblical stories featuring doves:
- A dove appears at Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist, symbolizing the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus (Matt 3:16).
- Noah sends out a dove from the ark to search for dry land after the great flood. The dove returns with an olive branch, symbolizing new life after the flood (Gen 8:11).
- Two doves are sacrificed in the Temple of Jerusalem for the purification of Mary and Joseph after the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:24).
Because of these important biblical stories, doves represent the Holy Spirit, faith, baptism, new beginnings, innocence, purity, peace, and prosperity in the Christian tradition. Images of doves appear frequently in Christian iconography, architecture, and art as symbols of the Holy Spirit.
Doves in Judaism
In Judaism, doves have both practical and symbolic meaning in religious rituals and stories. Practically, doves were used as sacrifice animals in biblical times. Their cooing also reportedly signals the advent of the Messiah in Jewish folklore. Specific associations include:
- Noah’s dove searching for land symbolizes hope for God’s redemption after suffering.
- Song of Songs 1:15 describes the dove’s eyes representing faithfulness and purity.
- A dove is sent out from the ark by Noah after the flood in order to find dry land, which it does, returning with an olive branch (Genesis 8:8–12).
- Doves are the only birds suitable for sacrifice by the poor in Leviticus 12.
- The Talmud compares Israel to a dove, describing its relationship to God.
So in Judaism, doves represent sacrifice, new beginnings, loyalty, sacrifice of the poor, Israel’s redemption, and the relationship with God. White doves are also used in some modern Jewish weddings to symbolize the bride and groom beginning their new life together.
Doves in Islam
In Islam, doves and pigeons appear in various stories, mostly symbolizing spirituality. Specific connections include:
- A dove inspired and instructed Muhammad and his followers in the Quran.
- A dove brought the news to Muhammad about the birth of his daughter Fatima.
- Muhammad reportedly climbed upon the back of a dove on the Night Journey to Jerusalem and Paradise.
Therefore, doves represent guidance, communication, and spiritual ascension in Islam. Seeing or dreaming about doves is considered fortunate.
Doves in Hinduism and Buddhism
In Hinduism and Buddhism, birds like doves symbolize peace, love, wisdom and gentleness. However, more specific dove symbolism includes:
- Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge, wisdom, and learning, is associated with a white dove.
- Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, prosperity and fortune, is depicted with a dove.
- Buddha’s transition into Mahaparinirvana (death and final release) is described as a dove flying into the sky.
Therefore, doves represent the passing of wisdom, gentleness, rebirth, and undying love in Hinduism and Buddhism.
Doves in Ancient Greek Mythology
Doves appear in several ancient Greek myths and legends, often symbolically representing romance, fertility and the passage of souls:
- Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, is often depicted accompanied by doves.
- Aphrodite turned the princess Phthia into a dove to escape her doom.
- Zeus turned himself into a dove in order to seduce a mortal woman.
- The Greek word psyche meaning “soul” is personified by Psyche, a maiden with dove wings.
So doves symbolized love, romance, sexuality, souls and relationships between mortals and gods in ancient Greek mythology.
Native American Dove Meanings
For many Native American tribes, the dove is a symbol of peace. Specific meanings include:
- Some Plains Indian tribes viewed Doves as a symbol of the direction south and associated doves with community gatherings.
- Woodpecker scalps were used to decorate Hopi Pueblo dove Kachina masks symbolizing love and fertility.
- Some California Indian tribes, such as the Costanoan, believe Doves foretell the coming of rain.
So for Native Americans, doves often represented southern direction, community gathering places, ceremonies, fertility, and abundance.
Celtic Dove Meanings
For Celts in ancient Ireland, Scotland and Britain, the dove was an emblem of the Goddess, and saintly women. Specific meanings include:
- Welsh myths connect Arianrhod, the Celtic Sky Goddess, to magical birds known as Doves of Arianrhod.
- Celtic and Druid legends say Doves guide souls to the afterlife, with the Goddess Brighid waiting to welcome them home.
Therefore, Celts viewed doves as guides between life, death and rebirth, as well as symbols of femininity and the Goddess.
Dove Superstitions and Folklore
Beyond religious symbolism, doves appear across cultures in folklore and superstitions. Some examples:
- In Ancient Rome, the soul was depicted as leaving the body in the form of a dove at death.
- In Ancient Egypt, doves depicted innocence, love, and peace.
- Seeing a white dove, especially at a wedding, is considered good luck and a sign of a happy home, fertility, and prosperity.
- If a dove nests on your house, it is said to bring harmony and calmness to the home.
- Hearing doves or pigeons cooing predicts the arrival of visitors.
So in folklore, doves represent souls, romance, prosperity, peace, and the announcement of visitors across many cultures.
Dove Encounters and Omens
Seeing doves in spiritual encounters or omens is generally considered positive:
- Seeing a white dove – This represents blessings, love, marriage, peace, innocence, purity, and reconciliation.
- Seeing two doves together – This represents fidelity, partnership, and both physical and spiritual harmony. It could indicate a new relationship or marriage.
- A dove visiting unexpectedly – This could indicate blessings coming your way directly from God or the universe. It signals happiness and good fortune.
- A dove looking at you – You may need more gentleness, and peace in life. The dove brings a message directly to you.
- A dove flying near you – This could indicate the end of challenging times, and the beginning of peace, love, or a solution to problems.
In most cases, encountering a dove serves as a sign to cultivate inner peace, be more gentle, find solutions to discord, connect with spirit, and recognize the love present around you and within you.
Dove Tattoo Meanings
Due to their highly symbolic meanings, doves are popular images for tattoos. Some common dove tattoo meanings include:
- Love and romance
- Peace
- Christian faith
- Baptism and Holy Spirit
- Motherhood, femininity and fertility
- Hope
- New beginnings
- Calmness
- Reconciliation
- Souls and afterlife
Both men and women get dove tattoos to represent these ideas. Styles range from minimalist, small dove outlines to larger, multi-colored flying dove back pieces.
Dreams about Doves
Dreaming about doves often carries positive meaning. Some common dove dream interpretations include:
- A white dove – This represents purity, peace, innocence, gentleness, new beginnings, and calmness in a dream. It may indicate starting a new relationship or life phase.
- Two doves – This can symbolize a romantic partnership, engagement or marriage in dreams. It could mean unity between two people or two parts of yourself.
- A flock of doves – Seeing many doves in a dream indicates increased spirituality, harmony in relationships, and resolution of problems.
- A flying dove – This may represent overcoming challenges, a fresh start, or achieving a goal through inner peace and gentleness.
- A dove attack – Being attacked by doves in dreams could reflect inner turmoil or betrayal by others who seem innocent.
In most cases, doves represent positive qualities like purity, reconciliation, fertility, calmness, innocence, and spirituality in dreams.
Conclusion
Throughout human cultures and history, the dove stands as an enduring symbol of peace, love, hope, new beginnings, and divine blessings. They represent romantic love, fertility, the passage of souls, spiritual direction, and moral purity. Dreams and encounters with doves invite the presence of these positive qualities into our lives. With their cooing song and gentle nature, doves continue to inspire human imagination and spirituality across cultures today.