Ever since the dove returned to Noah's ark carrying the olive branch, it has been considered the messenger of peace in many cultures (Gen 8). The symbolism of the story varies according to the interpreter. Charbonneau-Lassay writes that the ark stands for the church, Noah represents the Christian, and the dove symbolizes Christ bringing peace (the olive branch) to Christians. This peace is especially that peace which exists between God and man after a period of chastisement.
Matthew Henry considers that, "The dove is an emblem of a gracious soul, which finding no rest for its foot, no solid peace or satisfaction in this world, returns to Christ as to its ark." Before sending out the dove, Noah released a raven to test the waters but it did not return to re-enter the ark. Henry contrasts the acts of the dove and the raven by stating, "The carnal heart, like the raven, takes up with the world, and feeds on the carrion it finds there."
Doves appear on the tombs of many cultures for various reasons. On Christian tombs, the dove bearing the olive branch stands for the triumphal obtainment of Christ's peace through martyrdom or virtue. In this case, the olive branch not only represents the peace of God, but also takes on the victory symbolism of the palm branch. Both Slavs and Greeks pictured the human soul as a dove which explains why doves are found on pagan monuments in these and other areas. Doves with human heads may be found on Greek tombs. St. Benedict is said to have seen the soul of his twin sister Scholastica fly to heaven in the form of a dove. Because of this incident, the dove has become an attribute of St. Benedict, St. Scholastica, and the Benedictine nuns.
The dove is painted over the heads or perched on the shoulders of those believed to be inspired in their prayers or writings by the Holy Spirit. Saints represented in this way include St. Gregory the Great and St. Catherine of Siena.
Joseph, carrying two white doves, is on his way to the Presentation of Christ in the temple. The two doves will be sacrificed for Mary's purification after childbirth. (See Luke 2:22 -24.) A dove perched atop Joseph's staff represents his divine election to be Mary's husband and Jesus's foster father.
The dove is commonly seen in pictures of the baptism of Christ in accordance with the gospel accounts: "When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him" (Mt 3:16; see also Mk 1:10; Lk 3:22; John 1:29-34). In this instance the dove represents the Holy Spirit and is a sign to John that Jesus is the Son of God.
The dove is often seen representing the Holy Spirit and purity in pictures of the Annunciation to Mary. On rare occasions, the dove symbolizes Mary because the Song of Songs refers to the perfect Bride as a dove (Song 5:2; 6:9). This symbolism was encouraged by some gnostic groups which believed Mary was the incarnation of the Holy Spirit or the female aspect of God. Some representations of the Holy Spirit are doves so stylized that they look like Mary's first initial "M".
The number and appearance of doves in images gives a hint to their meaning. 2 doves stand for love. 7 doves represent the 7 spirits of God or the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit (Is 11:1-2). 7 doves surrounded by 7 flames are an image of Confirmation. 12 doves are the 12 apostles or the 12 fruits of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). 12 doves on crucifixes also stand for the 12 apostles. 2 doves beneath a larger dove or 2 fish flanking a dove are Christians worshiping Christ who is the larger dove. Doves eating bread or drinking wine symbolize souls being nourished by the Eucharist. Doves given to Mary or female saints indicate their purity. Doves escaping from the mouths of dying people represent the departure of their souls. Doves shown with Pax implore the dead to rest in peace. Doves in trees or gardens are symbolic of the faithful in Heaven. Doves surrounded by triangles or within a nimbus stand for the entire Trinity.
In the Bible, the voice of the dove is likened to moaning and Israel "mourns like a dove" for justice, salvation, and her sins (Is 38:14; Is 59:11; Ezek 7:16; Nahum 2:7). Ephraim is likened to a "silly dove, without sense" because she seeks help from neighboring countries rather than her God (Hosea 7:14). The Jews are said to tremble like doves as they return from captivity, filled with holy fear (Hosea 11:11). The inclusion of the Gentiles is described as a cloud of "doves flying to their roosts" (Is 60:8).
A fantastic image of the faithful being refined through trials is described in Psalm 68:13: "Though you lie down among the sheepfolds, you will be like the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold." The inner wealth of purity and humility is implied by the image of the dove. Outer wealth and dignity is indicated by the covering of silver and gold.
The dove was believed to be incapable of malice towards any creature. Therefore, Jesus sent His disciples into the world after instructing them to "Be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves" (Mt 10:16). David's lack of malice towards his son Absalom (when he usurped his father's throne) is implied when David wishes, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest," rather than wishing for the vengeful wings of a bird of prey (Ps 55:6).
Because of the dove's supposed simplicity and humility, the Moabites are exhorted to become like the humble dove in the wild and give up their habitual pride and scorn (Jer 48:29).
Summarily, the dove has been used to represent: souls, peace (esp. with God), the Holy Spirit, Jesus, Mary, purity, love, Israel, divine inspiration or election, innocence, gentleness, mourning, the Christian, chastity, fidelity in marriage, simplicity, the Church, lack of malice, resignation, patience in suffering, rebirth, and temperance.
All scripture quotes are from the NKJV.
More information about doves is available at:
© 1997 by Suzetta Tucker
To cite this page:
Tucker, Suzetta. "ChristStory Dove Page." ChristStory
Christian Bestiary. 1997. http://ww2.netnitco.net/users/legend01/dove.htm
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