![]() ![]() When he tried to swim, though, he failed miserably and the loon laughed at him. The proud owl fell in love with a beautiful swan, and decided to try his hand at swimming so that he might be with her. During this time, the owl was a proud bird who enjoyed the daylight. When the world was new, the birds lived in peace and never killed one another. ( 9)Īccording to one Native American myth, the dove was the first murder victim in the world. As such, the dove can represent both spiritual guidance and death. In many Native American traditions, the dove is considered to be a symbol of the spirit world. In such stories, doves often fail to recognize the dangerous guile of a trickster character and are deceived into becoming its meal. Some Native American traditions treat doves as foolish or gullible animals. Doves are often seen as symbols of a safe homecoming, perhaps due to their homing abilities. Native American cultures typically associate doves with love, peace, and protection. So, doves represent aristocracy, domesticity, evolution, artificial selection, competition, and scientific study. Darwin even used the process of breeding pigeons for various features as a means of studying his theory of evolution. Selectively bred pigeons and doves can be extremely ornamental birds with unique and intricate features. Walt Disney, the late Queen of England, Nikola Tesla, and Charles Darwin are just some of the famous people who are known to have been avid pigeon fanciers. People who keep pigeons are often referred to as pigeon “fanciers.” This very old hobby has long been enjoyed by aristocrats and scientific minds around the world. ( 5)ĭoves and pigeons are common domestic animals and are often used for racing, breeding, as pets, or for general admiration. So, doves represent navigation, homecoming, communication, correspondence, and messengers. This ability has been utilized by humans for centuries as a means of communication. Over thousands of miles in challenging conditions, homing pigeons still manage to find their way. Pigeons are so effective at finding their way home that the methods they use remained shrouded in mystery. ( 4)ĭoves and pigeons are world-renowned for their incredible homing abilities. So, imagery featuring doves may be associated with God, the afterlife, mourning, or divine guidance. When people die, we imagine them at peace in heaven. ![]() Furthermore, dove symbolism is often used to signify heaven. In Christian art, the presence of a dove indicates the presence of the Holy Spirit. Because of this, artistic depictions of doves often represent the divine. Dove imagery represents both unity and optimism.ĭoves are birds with a great deal of religious significance which we will discuss in detail in a later section. The dove represents our human responsibility to strive for a better future in which unnecessary suffering can be addressed and solved. ( 3)īecause doves are so firmly associated with peace, they often serve as an international symbol for cooperation and hope. For these reasons, doves are very strongly connected with romance and partnership. ![]() Dove pairs are often seen preening each other, perching near one another, and even engaging in a sort of “kissing” behavior. Most types of pigeons and doves are monogamous and mate for life, though some species will only stay together for one breeding season. Dove releases are also used for funerals and memorials as a way of saying goodbye to a departed loved one. Doves are commonly released at weddings to symbolize the everlasting love of the bride and groom. The dove is considered docile, harmless, and romantic. ( 1) Read on to learn more about the fascinating symbolism, mythology, and history of doves.Īround the world, doves are associated with gentleness, peace, serenity, and purity. So, the dove is both a deeply beloved bird associated with affection and peace, and a bird who is treated as a pest and scorned by many. Smaller members tend to be called “doves,” whilst larger ones are called “pigeons,” but the words actually mean the same thing. “Dove” and “pigeon” are generally interchangeable terms which refer to any birds with in the “Columbidae” family. What many people don’t realize, though, is that the often under-appreciated, or even reviled, city pigeon is as much a dove as any snow white bird of peace. The mighty dove, with its many obvious virtues, has charmed and inspired humanity since ancient times. Recognized around the world as a symbol of peace, gentleness, and romance, the dove is a bird whose demure beauty and comforting soft voice fills people with a sense of serenity and hope. ![]()
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