In the ancient Levant, doves were used as symbols for the Canaanite mother goddess Asherah. Only then does Utnapishtim send forth the raven, which does not return, and Utnapishtim concludes the raven has found land. After the storm subsides, Enki tells Utnapishtim to release a dove and a raven to find land. The cataclysmic storm arrives, lasting for seven days. He then tells Utnapishtim to build a giant boat to save all living beings from the flood. In the story The Epic of Gilgamesh, the god of water, Enki, warns the character Utnapishtim that the gods are going to create a massive flood. Lead dove figurines were discovered in the temple of Ishtar at Aššur, dating to the thirteenth century BC, and a painted fresco from Mari, Syria shows a giant dove emerging from a palm tree in the temple of Ishtar, indicating that the goddess herself was sometimes believed to take the form of a dove. Doves are shown on cultic objects associated with Inanna as early as the beginning of the third millennium BC. In ancient Mesopotamia, doves were prominent animal symbols of Inanna-Ishtar, the goddess of love, sexuality, and war. Today the dove is a symbol of peace, often portrayed with an olive branch in its mouth.Early fifth-century BC statue of Aphrodite from Cyprus, showing her wearing a cylinder crown and holding a dove The dove is even associated with several mother figures in historical dove symbolism. ĭoves and pigeons were the only birds suitable for sacrifice by the Hebrews, as stated in Leviticus 1:14.ĭoves appear in the symbolism of Judaism, Christianity, and Paganism, and of both military and pacifist groups. For the Celts, the mournful call of a dove meant the peaceful passing of someone. In Slavic folklore, doves were believed to conduct the souls of the dead to heaven. In Muslim lore, a dove murmured the words of God into the ear of Muhammad. The dove appears as a symbol of purity on the Holy Grail in Malory’s Morte d’Arthur. In this motherly light, the dove elicits a promise of hope and salvation. The dove is a companion of Ishtar too, the Great Mother of Assyrian culture. In the Epic of Gilgamesh the dove was released to search for the end of the deluge. The legendary queen Semiramis was raised by doves, connecting her to the goddesses. The goddesses Atargatis, Inanna, and Astarte are all depicted with doves. The dove is a monogamous bird, which is the source of its connection with romantic and eternal love. Lovers are said to “bill and coo” like doves. I t was the sacred animal of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess and of Venus, her Roman counterpart. The dove is also seen as representing love. The dove also symbolized the peaceful soul for many cultures. The Chinese felt the dove was a symbol of peace and long life. To early Greeks and Romans, doves represented love and devotion, and care for a family. In Scripture, doves are more numerous than all other species.īeginning with the Egyptians, the dove was as symbol of quiet innocence. The Gospel narratives describe a dove descending upon Jesus at his baptism. Which she did with an olive branch in her mouth, a sign of land and the waters receding.Īnd the dove came in to him in the evening and, see, in her mouth was an olive leaf plucked off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth. Noah sent a dove knowing the dove would always return. The dove is commonly seen in Christian art with Mary as a symbol or care, devotion, purity and peace. Luke 3:22 states: “The heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in the form of a dove. The dove is said to be so pure that it is the one form into which Satan cannot transform himself. Some iconographers show Mary being blessed by a dove at the moment of Annunciation, and Jesus was blessed by the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove at his baptism. The dove is a symbol of the Holy Spirit in Christian iconography. Because they tend to nest in areas that humans can watch, people picked up quickly on the idea that doves were dedicated, honorable and peaceful.ĭ oves have been chosen by God to be the messengers of the day. G od chose the white dove to portray the holy spirit.ĭ oves are wonderful parents and work together equally to raise their young, one reason they are the sign of love, faithfulness and fertility.ĭ oves mate for life, are incredibly loyal to each other and work together to build their nest and raise their young. I f you see a dove on your wedding day, a happy home is assured.ĭ oves have long been a symbol for eternal peace.
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