When it comes to symbolizing peace, love, and spirituality, a pair of doves holds great significance in many cultures and religions. These gentle and graceful birds have been regarded as powerful spiritual messengers for centuries. In particular, the spiritual meaning of two turtle doves carries deep symbolism and offers insights into various aspects of our lives. This article explores the profound spiritual meanings behind a pair of doves, with a special focus on the symbolism of two turtle doves.
Symbolism of Doves in Christianity
Doves in Christianity have been around since the times of the Old Testament. In Christianity, doves are seen as a symbol of peace, hope, love, lightness and purity. But what do they represent in the Bible?
As Messengers of God
In the Old Testament, God used doves to send messages. This naturally meant that doves were seen as messengers of God. For example, it was an olive branch that Noah received from a dove that told him to end the great flood. The dove brought a message of hope and life after such a devastating natural disaster.
Do you own a dove or 2 pet doves? Are you considering getting one? Doves are a popular choice for a number of reasons.
In some cultures, doves are viewed as symbols of rebirth and new life because of their participation in the cycle of life. Of course, when they’re used as symbols of eternal love, they are often present at weddings. Doves have also emerged as symbols associated with femininity and healing.
As Symbols of the Holy Spirit
When Jesus was baptized by John, according to the Bible, a dove representing the Holy Spirit came down from heaven and landed on his shoulder. This event is how the dove became a symbol for the Holy Spirit in Christianity.
As Symbols of Jesus
The mention of two turtle doves in the story of Jesus’ birth is actually very poignant and symbolic. The two turtle doves were sacrificed in honor of Jesus’ birth as Mary and Joseph were poor at the time.
We see these pairs of doves throughout the Bible as symbols. They represent love, partnership and companionship. These are all qualities however that we see in Jesus.
As Symbols of Peace
The fact that a dove was present at Jesus’ baptism is one reason why doves are believed to be symbol for peace in Christianity.
According to the Bible, it was Noah who first recognized the symbolism. He sent out a dove from his ark after there was no dry land available following a 40-day flood. The dove returned with an olive branch and Noah took that to be a sign from God that there was dry land somewhere.
As Symbols of Love
Doves mate for life, so it should come as no surprise that another quality they symbolize in Christianity is love.
The mention of two turtle doves in the story of Jesus’ birth is not lost on anyone. This pairing represents married love and their enduring bond is appreciated by couples all over.
Symbolism of Doves in Ancient Mythology
According to ancient Egyptian mythology, the goddess of love was depicted as a dove. The goddess Isis was revered as the goddess of fertility and motherhood. She was depicted with wings and a hawk in the center of her head, with a leopard print dress and a pregnant belly. Her name means “throne”, which signifies her as the mother of a king. The Egyptians believed that she was the mother to all Pharaohs. The dove is seen as a symbol of love and rebirth. She is also seen as a symbol of peace.
The Romans also associated doves with their goddess Venus, who is the equivalent of the Greek goddess Aphrodite. The Romans believed that the dove was the animal totem for Venus, which was often paired with her son Cupid, who was also known to carry doves with him. Their mythology has many stories of doves associated with Venus and Cupid, which explains why they saw doves as symbols of love and affection.
In Greek mythology, doves were associated with Aphrodite (Venus’ equivalent). Aphrodite’s temple was adorned with doves because she had nine sacred doves on her chariot. They were super loyal to her, never leaving her side and always following her every command. There are many poems that call doves “sacred birds” and “familiar friends”. There are some stories in Greek mythology that say that Aphrodite herself transformed into a dove when she escaped from Typhon by leaping into the sea.
The Chinese saw doves as symbols of prosperity and happiness. It wasn’t uncommon for Chinese families to keep them in their homes so they could be blessed with long-lasting happiness.None of these spiritual meanings are too vastly different from each other. Doves are always seen as symbols of peace, love, prosperity and happiness in various cultures.
Each culture has its own legends and stories about doves that contribute to certain connotations about the bird. For example, in Christianity, when Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, the Holy Spirit appeared in the form of a dove. This makes references in literature like “white as snow” or “pure as a dove”, both referencing purity.
Doves as Messengers of Peace
The symbolism of doves is limitless, but among the favorite heart-touching meanings is that they bring peace and understanding to people. If you see a pair of doves flying near you, it is a sign that peace is on its way to you.
Doves have always been associated with good tidings and symbols of peace. In ancient Greece, doves bearing olive branches symbolized a truce in war. The dove has also been used as a symbol for the Holy Spirit and has appeared in the art and culture of many religions.
In the Bible, it is said that after the great flood, Noah sent out a dove and it returned with an olive branch in its beak. This was considered a sign that God had forgiven mankind for their sins. The dove was also closely associated with the Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty. The Hindus believed that doves were messengers from Venus.
In Christianity, doves are symbolic of hope and salvation. They also represent purity and sacrifice, as well as Mother Mary. Catholics believe that the cooing of doves can drive away evil spirits and demons. The white dove is also a symbol for the Holy Spirit.
In Egyptian mythology, doves are linked to the goddess Isis who was considered the divine mother. She was often depicted in art with a pair of doves which played the role of mediators between her and her subjects.
So if you see a pair of doves mating or cooing, it is considered an auspicious message from God that peace will prevail in your life. Doves are also interpreted as messages from guardian angels or deceased loved ones.
If you are stressed about something or if there is discord in your life, seeing doves mating or flying near you means that the conflicting situation will soon be resolved. Doves show us how to bridge gaps and take that first step toward reconciliation.
So it’s no wonder that releasing a pair of doves during wedding ceremonies is so popular; they bring peace and harmony into the couple’s life.
Doves as Symbols of Love and Partnership
There’s no denying the powerful presence doves have when it comes to romantic occasions. These birds have been a symbol of love and partnership for centuries, and this is especially true when they’re depicted as a pair. It’s why doves are so popular as wedding symbols, and have appeared in various love stories.
Many ancient cultures revered the dove as a symbol of love, but this association became especially strong in Greco-Roman mythology. The dove was an important creature in the lives of two major goddesses from these mythologies: Aphrodite (Venus) and Venus’ mother, Dione.
Doves were said to have pulled Aphrodite’s chariot, and she was often depicted with them. Meanwhile, her mother Dione was believed to have transformed into a dove once her daughter was born.
As a result of these legends, the dove became a symbol of beauty and love. This eventually led to the bird being associated with both goddesses, as well as their respective attributes of love and fertility.
Doves also appear frequently in Christian iconography due to their association with Aphrodite/Venus. The dove is another form of the goddess Venus in Christianity, and it represents the Holy Spirit. This connection to the Holy Trinity makes the bird also a symbol for God making His presence known on Earth. Christian art often features two doves alongside one another as a symbol of marital fidelity.
A pair of doves are also associated with Isis, an Egyptian deity known for motherhood and fertility. She was often depicted wearing wings with two doves or kites on her head. These birds were believed to represent the spirits of dead relatives or souls.
Doves became closely associated with romance thanks to medieval poets such as Chaucer and Shakespeare. They often wrote about doves in love, which only made this symbolism stronger.
In terms of marriage, ancient Greek couples would incorporate doves into their wedding ceremony as a wish for a loving marriage. The Romans also used doves in their weddings due to their association with Venus, the goddess of love.
In Chinese culture, dove couples are not only symbols of love, but also loyalty and freedom. The dove is said to be a loyal bird that binds itself exclusively to its mate for life.
The Spiritual Significance of Two Turtle Doves
Now that you’re familiar with the meaning and symbolism of doves, let’s explore a little further. The spiritual significance of a pair of doves can mean many different things based on the context. From religious to spiritual implications, a pair of doves can be the perfect messenger. Here are a few ideas:
2 Turtle Doves Meaning in Christianity
In Christianity, a pair of doves has both spiritual and religious significance. The pair of doves symbolizes two things:
- Sacrifice: The two turtle doves could be interpreted to represent immortality or sacrificial love, hence their presence at Christ’s baptism.
- Salvation: The birds can also represent a believer’s spiritual salvation, as they were also emblematic of the presence of the Holy Spirit.
2 Turtle Doves Meaning in Ancient Greece
The ancient Greeks believed that doves were sent by the goddesses Aphrodite and her daughter Eros to honor fertility. They hung turtle doves from their temple ceilings to ward off evil spirits whilst promoting hope and positivity.
2 Turtle Doves Meaning in Native American Religion
Doves were also seen as symbols of peace and spirit in several Native American tribes. For example, the Tainos believed that when worn with carvings by leaders, turtle dove feathers could help them make wise decisions before they would go to war. Furthermore, the Aztecs saw them as symbols of love, protection, and peace.
Spiritual Significance of Seeing Two Turtle Doves
Seeing two turtle doves together is usually good luck! It means that you have made a connection with something spiritual or divine.
Doves as Symbols of Hope and Renewal
Doves are considered as symbols of hope and renewal in many cultures and civilizations across the globe. Whether it’s the Biblical symbolism of white doves, the turtle doves of Native American folklore, or even the role of doves in ancient Eastern mythology, we can find plenty examples within varied spiritual tradition.
Here are a few ways by which doves have become popular symbols of spirituality:
1. White Doves as Messengers of Hope
The Old Testament of the Bible talks about the role of white doves as bearers of hope and messengers of peace.
According to the story of Noah’s Ark, Noah sent out a white dove to look for signs of land after the great floods. The dove returned with an olive branch in its beak, signaling that dry land was just around the corner. This became a symbol of hope for Noah and his family that the rains were finally over and life could start afresh again.
The story has since become timeless parable that serves as inspiration to anyone who faces seemingly insurmountable adversity in their lives. And often enough, it is told with a pair of doves in mind, since the Bible also states that Noah sent out a pair of doves on his ark.
2. Peace Doves as Symbols of International Harmony
White doves as symbols of hope carry over into modern Christian traditions as well.
In the New Testament, white doves were also presented during baptism ceremonies since they were considered as messengers from God who could carry prayers directly to the heavens.
The tradition was borrowed from Greco-Roman mythology. However, it wasn’t so much about doves being messengers themselves but more about their special relationship to Aphrodite—the goddess of love and beauty—who was also considered to be closely associated with hope. These beautiful white birds became known as “doves of peace” who would carry Aphrodite’s influence wherever they flew.
In 1946, Picasso himself was inspired by this myth to come up with an image of a white dove that has since become one of the most popular symbols for peace all over the world. His now iconic image was used three years later for the first World Peace Congress in Paris and has since then become an iconic emblem for international harmony.
3. Turtle Doves as Symbols of Love and Sacred Unions
According to Native American lore, turtle doves are widely regarded as symbols of love and sacred unions.
The tribes in these regions believed that such strong bonds between pairs made them sacred birds and creatures who had come into being at the beginning of time itself when all spirits were born from water.
The Connection Between Doves and the Divine
Most of the 9 spiritual meanings of a pair of doves are rooted in religious ideas and stories.
Throughout history, doves have been mentioned in religious writings, literature and even myths.
Because of this, people have come to view these birds as symbols of the divine, especially in relation to Christianity since they are associated with Jesus Christ himself.
Doves take up an important place in Christian lore as they were the birds that Noah had sent out to look for land after the biblical great flood ended.
Noah had released a dove on three separate occasions. The first time, the bird returned to the arc with a fresh olive leaf, signaling that there was now dry land where vegetation could thrive. The second time and in all later attempts, the dove never returned to the arc, which proved that they had found land where they could nest and thrive.
This story is a symbol for hope and peace. It tells us that even when things are rough and there seems to be no sign of relief or a happy ending, hope still exists whether we know it or not. The olive leaf was proof that life existed elsewhere and that things were clearing up.
In relation to this story, the dove is a symbol of hope and a sign that there is something better out there for us. It is a message sent by the divine that we need to trust that everything will work out in the end.
According to Matthew 10:16-23, Jesus recommended for his followers and apostles to be “wise as serpents but harmless as doves.”
In this bible verse, Jesus meant that believers should stay true and righteous under God’s wisdom and guidance despite troubles just as doves lived harmlessly with other birds in their coops.
By following through on this command from Jesus, Christians embrace the peaceful, calm and harmonious nature of doves.
Encountering Doves in Dreams
The appearance of doves in your dreams can have a lot of different meanings, but the most common one is peace.
Dreaming of doves is often a sign that you are working toward peace, either with others or within yourself. You have a quiet understanding of what needs to be done to achieve peace, and you are making steps toward that goal. It can also be a sign that you have already found peace in a certain area of your life, such as your work life or your home life.
If you are seeing doves in your dreams, think about what else is happening in the dream to get a better understanding of the message. For example, if you see doves flying into the house during a storm, it shows that peace is something that you want for yourself. You are looking for sanctuary and peace in your life, and the doves are a reflection of that desire.
If a dove appears to be speaking to you in the dream, it shows that you need to be open to listening to others if you want to find peace in your life. You are trying to seek out answers from the universe so you can find inner peace. In other contexts, this could be a sign that there is someone who needs help finding peace, and it’s your responsibility to help them.
Dreaming of doves may also show that you have been hurt by someone else’s actions and you are looking for forgiveness. The dove in this context shows that you are trying to find forgiveness from yourself or someone else so you can move on.
In some cases, dreaming of doves may be an indicator of an upcoming marriage or the arrival of love in your life. It’s a gentle reminder to keep an open heart so you can let love into your life and find peace with someone else.
Like the signs mentioned earlier on in the article, sometimes encountering a pair of doves is simply a message from the universe that things are going to work out for you very soon. The exact timing is unclear at this moment but when things unfold, it will turn out better than what you’ve expected or anticipated.
In conclusion, a pair of doves, especially two turtle doves, holds numerous spiritual meanings that can enrich our lives. From symbolizing love, partnership, and peace to representing the connection between the earthly and spiritual realms, these beautiful birds have captivated our hearts and minds for centuries. Whether you encounter doves in dreams, in real life, or in art and literature, their presence often carries a message of hope, harmony, and divine guidance. By understanding and embracing the spiritual significance of doves, we can invite their positive energy into our lives and experience a deeper connection with the spiritual world.
