For most of us pigeons represent nothing more than noise and droppings, but many forget or don’t know that pigeons and doves belong to the same bird family, and the two names are not a scientific distinction.
Today’s modern pigeon is descended originally from the rock dove and doves are an easily recognizable symbol, the symbol of peace.
The dove has become an identifiable symbol, especially when depicted with an olive branch in its beak.
The dove has become an important Christian symbol, and from there it has become a symbol of peace recognised in many parts of the world.
What isn’t widely known is that man’s relationship with doves goes far back in history. The Christians weren’t the first to adopt the dove as a symbol.
Cultures
Through time and many different cultures doves have been associated, as a symbol, with many different virtues.
Because of their pure white aspect they have been symbols of purity and innocence.
Other virtues that they have been used to symbolise are wisdom, knowledge, understanding, counsel, fortitude, and piety.
Because they mate for life, doves are also associated with marital fidelity.
The word dove has also become used as a word of endearment.
The Spanish painter Pablo Picasso popularised the sign of the dove as a peace symbol in the modern era and even named his daughter, Paloma, the Spanish word for dove.
The American artist Andy Warhol included a dove, taken from a soap logo, in one of his Last Supper works, and it is often read as the Holy Spirit.
History
In ancient Mesopotamia the dove was already used as a symbol, associated with the goddess Inanna-Ishtar.
She was a goddess of war, love, and sexuality.
Images of doves surrounded her worship and it was believed that she sometimes took on the form of a dove.
Religion
In Judaism the dove appears in the story of the Flood and was offered at the Temple, and some rabbinic writings compare the spirit of God hovering over the waters to a dove. Doves played a spiritual role long before Christianity.
According to the Protoevangelium of James, a second-century text not included in the Bible, when a husband was being chosen for Mary, the mother of Jesus, a dove came out of Joseph’s rod and landed on his head, showing that he was the chosen one.
The Gospel of Luke says that when Jesus was presented at the Temple, his parents offered a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, the usual offering of families who could not afford a lamb.
Some scholars also link doves with Canaanite goddesses such as Asherah.
Greeks
Many of the Greek gods became associated with doves as symbols of their worship.
The dove is linked above all with Aphrodite, the goddess of love, and doves appear often in her cult and art.
It is said that Aphrodite’s followers used the blood of sacrificed doves to purify the altars in her temples and at festivals in her name.
In ancient Greek art the dove can be found painted on pottery, made as statues, and as bas-relief carvings. They have also been associated with Zeus.
Romans
As the Romans took over the Greek gods and renamed them, so they adopted the same symbols that represented or were associated with them.
Venus, the goddess of love continued to be represented by the symbol of the dove.
Doves were sometimes shown with other goddesses too.
Christians
In the Bible the story of Noah and the Flood features a dove.
Noah first sent out a raven, and then a dove, which came back because it found nowhere to land. Seven days later he sent the dove out again and it returned with an olive leaf in its beak.
In the Gospel of John, John the Baptist says he was told he would recognise the Messiah when he saw the Spirit come down and remain on him.
The Gospels describe the Spirit coming down on Jesus like a dove when he was baptised by John, and John then proclaimed him.
So the dove became a Christian symbol too. It appears often in early Christian art, and later European painters continued the tradition.
Early Christians used the dove, together with the fish and the anchor, as symbols of their faith before the cross became the main one, as it is today.
Overall the dove has become a universal sign of peace, love, and the Holy Spirit.
Ancient Britain
In some versions of the Arthurian legend a dove appears with the Holy Grail.
Islam
In Islam doves are treated with some respect. According to a well-known tradition, doves helped the Prophet Muhammad when he hid in a cave during his migration from Mecca to Medina.
The story says a pair of doves nested at the cave entrance and a spider spun a web across it.
Those searching for him thought the cave was empty and moved on.
Pigeons have also been kept in Egypt, Iran and elsewhere in large towers known as dovecotes, mainly to collect their droppings as fertiliser.
Asia
In the eastern world, the Japanese war god Hachiman was said to use doves as messengers.
Also Read: Is A Pigeon Pooping On You Good Luck?
In Conclusion
Apart from the dove as a widely recognised sign of peace, most of us pay pigeons little attention today.
However, doves or pigeons have had a very long relationship with mankind. It stretches back into antiquity.
Throughout history and across many cultures the dove has been linked with religion, and it has often come to represent the spirit of God and peace.
Last updated 28 October 2026 · Facts