Dove Spiritual Meaning And Interpretation

Dove

The dove has seemingly inexhaustible source of symbolic flavor throughout most histories, cultures and myth.

In the histories, the dove is a Catholic Christian Symbol

Catholic Christian symbolism in art provides a clear graphic illustration which represents people or items of religious significance. What are the definition and the meaning of the Dove? The dove is a symbol of innocence, gentleness, and affection; also, in art and in the Scriptures, the typical symbol of the Holy Ghost. God sent his spirit in the form of a dove to gather mankind into his church. The meaning of the colors of the dove are:

Red Dove – because Christ redeemed man with his blood.
Speckled Dove symbolizing the diversity of the twelve prophets.
White Dove symbolizing innocence, gentleness and peace.

A dove returned to Noah with an olive branch to let him know that the flood waters had abated, and that the Great Flood of God’s judgment was over:

Gen. 8:10 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.

Dove also Is Meaningful in a Wedding

An artistic and heartfelt element to add into a wedding day is the wedding doves. The doves can be released at different times during the day to symbolize the happiness that you and your spouse feel concerning the joy of your new union.

Purity

White doves can symbolize the purity and innocence of the marriage relationship, since white is the color of purity. White doves can also represent something that is new, which makes the dove release very fitting for a wedding. When the doves are released, it is a physical expression off the sentiment that the bride and groom are starting a new life together innocently, and are facing the unknown together.

Peace

Some couple chooses to release at the wedding as a sign of peace. The sentiment dates back to Biblical times, when Noah sent a dove out from the ark to make sure that the land was safe for humans to live on again after the flood. The dove is meant to be a symbol of peace in the couple’s home and throughout their lives together. The bride and groom may also use doves in the wedding decorations as away to extend peace and good wishes to their loved ones.

In Memory

If the couple wants to honor the memory of a loved that has passed away, doves can be used for this purpose during the ceremony. Images of a dove can be placed in an empty chair that represents the loved one, or projected images of flying doves can be displayed at the point in the wedding where deceased loved ones are acknowledged. If the wedding is held outdoors, live doves can be released at this time as well.

Fidelity

Wedding doves are also released during or after a ceremony because the birds represent fidelity. When doves find a mate, they remain with the mate for life, which is why doves are the perfect bird to include in a celebration that honors lifelong commitment. Many couples choose to release a pair of doves after they have exchanged vows in order to directly display this sentiment. White is also the dove release at a wedding even more fitting.

Joy and Blessings

White doves are a symbol of joy, and since a wedding is a joyous occasion, opening the bird’s cage so that they can fly freely, or using photos of doves in the day’s decor is definitely appropriate. Superstition also suggests that couples who see a pair of doves on their wedding day will have a blessed marriage, which is a wonderful sentiment for the new couple to keep in mind when a new life together.