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December 16, 2022
By Lauren David
mbg Contributor
Lauren David is a Chilean-American freelance writer. She writes about gardening, food, health and wellness, and sustainability. She has been published in Allrecipes, Greatist, The Healthy, The Kitchn and more.
What to do if you keep seeing doves December 16, 2022 Our editors have independently chosen the products listed on this page. If you purchase something mentioned in this article, we may earn a small commission. Have doves started appearing in your life or in your dreams? This gentle bird typically represents peace, love, renewal, and spirituality. Read on to learn more about dove symbolism and what it means if you see this bird often.
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What the dove symbolizes.
"Doves are often seen as symbols of peace, spirituality, hope, renewal, transformation, and love," explains Johanna Aúgusta, numerologist and owner of the Ministry of Numerology. "They can also represent compassion and kindness to others during difficult transitions."
According to Kathy Harmon-Luber, author of Suffering to Thriving: Your Toolkit for Navigating Your Healing Journey, "Some associate doves with motherhood, the divine feminine, and goddesses."
And if you've ever wondered why doves are often released at weddings and ceremonies, it's because they represent love, too. "Doves mate for life and are considered a symbol of lasting love," says Harmon-Luber.
Seeing two doves together is usually a sign of good luck in the love and relationships department. If you're in a relationship, it could show you that all is well. If you're single and looking, it could symbolize that love is on its way.
Dove meaning in different cultures.
Love, peace, and harmony are the dove's most universal symbols. However, different cultures and religions have their own unique interpretations of the bird.
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In Native American culture:
In some Native American cultures, doves are considered sacred messengers between humans and the spiritual realm, says Aúgusta.
According to Charlotte Kirsten, M.A., a cultural symbolism expert and psychological astrologer, "The famous Cheyenne proverb, 'If a man is as wise as a serpent, he can afford to be as harmless as a dove,' illustrates this. For certain tribes, a dove's feathers are worn as protective talismans, believed to ward off evil spirits and offer spiritual protection in times of adversity."
In Chinese culture:
"In China, doves are symbols of enduring love, faithfulness, and eternal bonds, both romantically and platonically speaking," explains Kirsten. "Male doves are believed to help their female partners incubate and care for their young, which further bolsters their image as devoted, caring birds."
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In Incan culture:
In ancient Incan culture, doves were symbolicof those who were no longer on Earth. "The Incas viewed them as a representation of their dead ancestors," says Aúgusta.
In Christianity:
Ever wondered about the dove symbolism in the bible? "In Christianity, doves are seen as messengers from God and a sign of the Holy Spirit," Aúgusta explains.
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In Buddhism:
According to Aúgusta, "Buddhists believe the dove embodies compassion and kindness."
In ancient Greece and Rome:
"Doves were associated with Aphrodite and Venus, goddesses of love in ancient Greece and Rome," explains Aúgusta.
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In ancient Mesopotamia:
Aúgusta explains doves were symbols of fertility in ancient Mesopotamia.
Dove color meanings.
A dove's color will also impact its spiritual meaning in the following ways:
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White doves:
"White doves embody the meaning of purity, peace, love, and connection with the Divine," says Harmon-Luber. A white dove also represents innocence, explains Kirsten. "It not only encourages us to rise above what hurts us, but it reminds us to connect with the inner child within and tap into that ever-expanding childlike curiosity and joy."
Gray doves:
"A gray dove represents the bridge between the old paradigm and the new," says Kirsten. "[A gray dove] often appears when we're at a standstill in our lives and need to release ourselves from self-imposed limitations." According to Aúgusta, gray doves can also represent love and partnership.
Blue doves:
"Blue doves carry the meaning of romance, affection, sexuality, and love," says Aúgusta.
Multicolored dove (fruit dove):
A "fruit dove" is a rare type of multicolored dove native to Southeast Asia and Oceania. "These birds are fiercely territorial and are always on high alert for other species invading their space," says Kirsten. She explains that they can stress themselves out by being so "on" all the time. "Seeing any multicolored dove acts as a gentle reminder to let go of imaginary fears," she adds, as well as surrender the need for control.
Black & red doves:
"These tend to represent negativity, mourning, transition, depression, or anger," explains Aúgusta.
5 spiritual lessons from the dove:
1.
Practice being present.
"Doves remind us that we have the opportunity to be fully present in every moment and to choose inner peace," says Harmon-Luber. "When a dove appears, we're reminded to practice mindfulness [and] find opportunities for cultivating presence and inner peace."
2.
Be open to synchronicity.
Doves also remind us to pay attention to synchronicities from the spirit world. Similar to owls, doves are considered to be messengers from divine or spiritual realms. "For centuries, doves were used as messenger birds, and their excellent navigational skills meant that they could roam hundreds of miles from home and still find their way back," adds Kirsten.
3.
Have trust and faith.
These regal birds encourage us to "trust in the unknown and forge ahead even when the path is foggy," says Kirsten.
4.
Follow your purpose.
Doves are also heavily connected with finding our "soul purpose" in this lifetime. The message is often, "no matter how far we stray from our 'path,' we'll always be gently guided back to what matters most," says Kirsten.
5.
Practice unconditional love.
"Doves remind us to practice unconditional love toward our global community, to retain innocence and gentleness, and to not lose hope," says Harmon-Luber.
If doves are appearing in your dreams.
Dreaming of a dove can provide important insights into your waking life.
"In dreams, doves represent tapping into one's own intuition as well as the emotional language of others to find inner balance, healing, peace, and joy," says Kirsten. "You're more likely to see a dove in a dream state when something is weighing on your mind, especially where relationships are concerned." She explains that dreaming of a dove may represent that "not all is lost" in a relationship.
The color of the dove will also influence the meaning of the dream, just like in waking life. To help you with your dream interpretation, Aúgusta offers up what different colors of doves may symbolize in your dream:
- Dreaming of a white dove could signify spirituality or peace, indicating that you are on the right path and connected with your inner wisdom.
- If you dream of a gray or mourning dove, this might signify a love interest or partnership in your life.
- Alternatively, if the dove appears black or red in the dream, it could be a sign of transition or change and may indicate that you need some healing or support at this time.
Writing down your dreams in a notebook or a dream journal right when you get up is a helpful way to capture as many details and dream symbols as possible before your recollection of your dream begins to fade away.
And if you can't remember the details, Harmon-Luber offers the following technique to help go back into the dream and reconnect with the symbolism of the dove:
- Sit quietly in a safe place where you won't be interrupted. Breathe deeply, and relax.
- Recall your encounter with the dove, and imagine that the dove is before you now. Ask if it has a message for you.
- Gently breathe and see if you hear, see, or sense any wisdom coming through.
- At the end of your time together, be sure to thank the dove, and consider making an offering of reciprocity to nature.
She shares that it can take practice to connect with this realm, so don't worry if messages don't come through for you right away.
What to do if you keep seeing doves.
So, what does it mean when a dove visits you over and over again? "If you are seeing doves everywhere, the universe is trying to get your attention!" explains Harmon-Luber. The message might be to have a more gentle or loving demeanor or may offer confirmation that you're progressing on your spiritual path, she says. Seeing doves can also be a reminder "to listen to your intuition and embrace your feminine side."
It's important to consider how you feel and what you're thinking about the next time you see a dove. "Pay attention to what thoughts pop up when seeing these doves. This will give you a good indicator as to what message or opportunity you were meant to connect with," says Kirsten.
For Aúgusta, "If you see a lot of doves in your life, it may be a sign from the divine or a higher power that you are on the right path."
The takeaway.
Birds, insects, and animals can come into our lives to bring us valuable messages and information. Seeing a dove is a symbol of love, hope, renewal, and trust as well as being connected to other realms.
FAQs
What is the bird that symbolizes love? ›
The dove was singled out to represent romance because Greek mythology associated the small, white bird with Aphrodite, the goddess of love (known in Roman mythology as Venus). Aphrodite/Venus is often depicted with doves fluttering around her or resting on her hand.
What does it mean when you keep seeing birds? ›Seeing a flock of birds is a good omen. It's an especially good omen if you see a flock of birds around your home or workplace. A flock of birds is a symbol of prosperity, abundance, and wealth. If you see it, you may expect fantastic news soon.
Which animal symbolizes love? ›Doves have long been considered symbols of love and peace. Along with their cooing and bowing courting rituals, doves mate for a lifetime, which has come to symbolize fidelity. Often, a depiction of two doves together translates to everlasting, eternal love.
What are symbols for everlasting love? ›You could use the Trinity Knot, the Dara Knot or Serch Bythol as the Celtic symbol for everlasting love.
What bird means marriage? ›Doves. Doves are often released for important life milestones, and they're especially popular at weddings as a way to represent the couple's new journey together.
How does a bird make love? ›Birds mate with what is known as a cloacal kiss. The male mounts the female from behind, balancing on her back. She arches her back and moves her tail to one side. He hunches over, and their cloacas touch for just a second.
Are birds spiritual messengers? ›Birds soar as spiritual messengers between the Earth and the sky. Revered and reflected by Native American cultures on both petroglyphs and modern ceramics, they flutter across objects both functional and decorative.
Is seeing a bird a good omen? ›Do birds bring good luck? Some birds are known to bring good luck to the seer, such as an eagle, which foretells good fortune or success. Additionally, a hawk symbolizes achievements and focus, while seagulls foretell happiness and peace.
What bird symbolizes happiness? ›The bluebird is a symbol of happiness in many cultures around the world, including in Russia, where it represents hope, and in China's Shang Dynasty, where it's a messenger of knowledge and enlightenment.
What animal represents loyalty and love? ›Penguin - These aquatic birds symbolise devotion, loyalty, unity, and lasting love. Penguins also represent a positive, friendly, and adaptable nature.
What animal represents strength and love? ›
Tigers are a symbol of strength, power, and energy. It may also stand for passion, ferocity, sensuality, beauty, speed, and wrath.
What is the symbol of I love You? ›The sign for “I love you” is a combination of the fingerspelled letter I, L and Y. Your thumb and index finger together form an L, while your little finger forms an I. In addition, your thumb and little finger is expressing a Y. So if you combine all three handshapes, you get I-L-Y for I love you.
What is the symbol of power of love? ›The Symbol which is written as “ODO NNYEW FIE KWAN” actually symbolizes the power of love, and the message, hidden in these words means: “LOVE WILL NEVER LOST ITS WAY HOME. The symbol brings to it's owner happiness in love, shows him the way to the shared love and harmony.
What color symbolizes love? ›Red: Passion, Love, Anger. Orange: Energy, Happiness, Vitality. Yellow: Happiness, Hope, Deceit. Green: New Beginnings, Abundance, Nature.
What does the symbol of love mean? ›The heart symbol is an ideograph used to express the idea of the "heart" in its metaphorical or symbolic sense. Represented by an anatomically inaccurate shape, the heart symbol is often used to represent the center of emotion, including affection and love, especially romantic love.
What birds are soulmates? ›...
As well as ospreys, the following birds are known to mate for life:
- Barn owl.
- Most swan and geese species.
- Golden and white-tailed eagles.
The Stork symbolises rebirth or new life. It is thought to represent new physical or spiritual beginnings. They are linked to hearth, home and protection. The Stork is sacred to the ancient Greek goddess Hera.
What bird means peace? ›The dove has been a symbol of peace and innocence for thousands of years in many different cultures. In ancient Greek mythology it was a symbol of love and the renewal of life and in ancient Japan a dove carrying a sword symbolised the end of war.
What do birds do when they love you? ›Sometimes birds shake their tails to show their feeling of love to humans. They also sleep on you or on your arm, which means that they love you and have huge trust in you. Birds flap wings, their feathers without flying when you come to them. More than that, they don't fly when you come closer to them.
What do birds love the most? ›Black oil sunflower seed appeals to the greatest number of birds. Offer sunflower seeds, nyjer (thistle) seeds, and peanuts in separate feeders. When using blends, choose mixtures containing sunflower seeds, millet, and cracked corn—the three most popular types of birdseed.
Can birds express love? ›
Some birds are also very affectionate with their mates, hence the terms “Love Birds” and “Lovey-Dovey.” Physical affection strengthens their pair-bond, but often does not directly contribute to better reproductive success.
What bird is a visitor from heaven? ›Based on old folklore, you have a visitor from heaven when you see a cardinal bird in your yard. Cardinal birds are a symbolic bird as it symbolizes positivity amidst the troubles we experienced in our life.
What bird is a messenger from heaven? ›SPIRITUAL MESSENGERS
Symbolic signs appear in many forms, but the red cardinal has long been embraced as the most notable spiritual messenger who has been sent by our loved ones in Heaven to watch over us. To this day, red cardinals are one of the most common spiritual signs that people receive from Heaven.
Pigeons are effective as messengers due to their natural homing abilities. The pigeons are transported to a destination in cages, where they are attached with messages, then the pigeon naturally flies back to its home where the recipient could read the message. They have been used in many places around the world.
Which bird is lucky for wealth? ›Connected to beauty and wisdom, peacocks are symbols of status and wealth. They are looked at as the earthly version of the phoenix. Peacocks have colorful iridescent tail feathers.
What does it mean when a bird stares at you? ›More likely, they are simply reacting to social cues that they use amongst themselves or perhaps remembering past associations they have learned between a person's gaze and their subsequent action. Both of these latter ideas may in part be true. A stare is a prehistoric signal of threat.
What do birds signify in the Bible? ›We also see powerful birds like eagles as pictures of strength, and owls representing desolation (Isaiah 34:11). In sacred art, the Holy Spirit is depicted as a dove, as He appears at the baptism of Jesus, while the finch is associated with Christ's Passion, and the peacock with immortality.
What bird symbolizes joy and hope? ›Bluebird Meaning and Symbolism
Some believe the bluebird is a symbol of joy and hope; others, that good news will be arriving soon. Others still think that bluebirds represent a connection between the living and those who have passed away.
The legend of the caladrius, a bird with prognostic and healing powers, first appeared in early Indian writings as the haridruva--a yellow bird that cured jaundice. In classical Greek mythology it was a nondescript bird but in the medieval bestiaries it became pure white.
Which bird symbolizes grace and beauty? ›National Bird of India Peafowl A Peacock (Mor) is a symbol of Grace and Beauty Love Birds Colorful.
What is the best symbol of love? ›
The Heart: The most popular symbol of love, a heart is used to represent the center of emotion, including affection and love, especially romantic love. A heart pierced with an arrow is meant to symbolize romantic love.
What animals have soulmates? ›- Wolves – Power couples. ...
- Beavers – Sharing is caring. ...
- Gibbons – A couple that sings together, stays together. ...
- California mice – Resisting temptation. ...
- Shingleback lizards – Going the distance. ...
- Diplozoon paradoxum – When two become one.
This majestic bird is also the center of many beliefs. Many people believe the sighting of a cardinal can be a sign of good luck, loyalty, or even a spiritual message. Native American lore states if a cardinal is seen, it is believed that individual will have good luck within 12 days of the sighting.
What is the symbol of unconditional love? ›The Heart. The most common symbol for unconditional love, the heart, is actually thousands of years old! The heart is one of the things that symbolize love since ancient times. It holds significance in the modern world too.
What animal represents woman? ›The cat, like other symbols, has both positive and negative aspects. When one looks at it as a symbol of the feminine, it contains positive aspects like the spiritual instinct, fertility, richness, and healing.
What animal represents pure heart? ›The unicorn is one of the most ancient animals representing purity. The unicorn's significant characteristic is the long horn fabled for its miraculous healing powers. The unicorn is a powerful, yet shy and gentle being and only the most pure of heart can find a unicorn.
What symbolizes love in the Bible? ›The Heart. "For man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart," says 1 Samuel 16:7. The heart symbolizes God's love, humanity and charity. It is also considered to be the source of understanding, love, courage, devotion and joy.
What is the symbol of friendship? ›The rose is one of the most classic friendship symbols, and also one of the love symbols as well. We commonly associate the red rose with love, while the yellow rose is the one that symbolizes friendship and care.
What is a symbol that represents life? ›Ankh. With origins in ancient Africa, the ankh is often referred to as the first cross. Adopted by Egyptian culture, the ankh came to be known as the key of life and represents eternal life.
How are love and power connected? ›Love and power play sometimes synergistic, sometimes antagonistic roles, whether in the personal realm or in the organizational and political realms. While power stabilizes love, it may sometimes corrupt it. Love always oscillates, or fluctuates, with an individual's feelings of power and powerlessness.
Is the power of love powerful? ›
Love is often considered a powerful and enlightening emotion that can be experienced toward friends, families, romantic partners, the universe, God, or oneself. Losing love may be considered one of the most painful experiences. Gaining it may be considered one of the happiest.
What is the true power of love? ›Feeling loved and valued by others helps to promote healthier lifestyle choices, good self-esteem, lessens stress factors, and provides better life-long mental health. A strong sense of self-worth can also lead to healthier relationships now and in the future.
What color means trust and love? ›BLUE. Blue symbolizes trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth and heaven. It is the color of the sky. And it is the color of Compassion.
What is the color for I love You? ›Red has come to symbolise 'I love you' and this is nowhere more evident than on Valentine's Day. Traditionally, it is the man who will give a gift for the one they love, admire… desire. Given red is the colour of masculine energy, it's no surprise red is the most popular choice of colour.
What is the color of first love? ›Purple: spring love, you're my first love.
What symbolizes love and caring? ›The best known, universal symbol of love is the heart-shaped ideograph, and it symbolizes the core of romantic love, affectionate emotion, and caring.
What is a symbol of love and hope? ›One of the great symbols that we have in most of our churches and in many other spaces including our homes is the crucifix. This is an image that has the suffering Christ on the Cross. It represents the great sacrifice that Jesus made and the pain of that sacrifice.
What flower means true love? ›Then a bouquet of red tulips is the perfect romantic gesture. This favourite spring flower in a bold shade of red is said to symbolise true love.
What bird represents eternal love? ›Sarus cranes are a symbol of eternal love because they are monogamous, but this mating behaviour can make breeding difficult.
What birds symbolize eternal love? ›Cranes are often considered a symbol of everlasting love, youth, happiness, good fortune, and longevity.
Which birds are symbols of love or fidelity? ›
Turtle doves and weddings are a perfect match: these birds have often had romantic associations, and in poetry they're usually connected with fidelity and trust.
What bird means happiness? ›The bluebird is a symbol of happiness in many cultures around the world, including in Russia, where it represents hope, and in China's Shang Dynasty, where it's a messenger of knowledge and enlightenment.
Are birds soulmates? ›Most birds are far from monogamous. Most birds do not mate for life, and most of those that do aren't quite as faithful as we'd like to think. Over 92 percent of all bird species form a pair bond and stay together for at least part of the nesting cycle.
Can birds show love? ›Some birds are also very affectionate with their mates, hence the terms “Love Birds” and “Lovey-Dovey.” Physical affection strengthens their pair-bond, but often does not directly contribute to better reproductive success.
What bird means visit from heaven? ›There is an old folklore saying that, “When a cardinal appears in your yard, it's a visitor from heaven.” People often wonder what it means when God sends a cardinal to their yard.
What bird has a partner for life? ›Bald Eagle
These birds, the symbol of the United States, mate for life unless one of the two dies. Their spectacular courtship rituals are a sight to see, with the birds locking talons, then flipping, spinning, and twirling through the air in a maneuver called a Cartwheel Display.
This enchanting book has a simple message, deep within every person lives a soul bird, a creature who has thoughts, feelings, and dreams. Sometimes we can tell the soul bird what to feel. Sometimes it decides all by itself.
Can birds have relationships? ›Birds that stick together
Those that form partnerships for more than a season, and in some cases, a lifetime? More than 90% of birds worldwide fall into this “joint parenting” category – and in Australia, many of them stay together for a long time.