The French word for dove is “colombe”. Doves are a common type of bird found throughout the world and are a symbol of peace, love, and new beginnings in many cultures. In this article, we will explore the history of doves, their symbolism, and the French word for this meaningful bird.
The Meaning and Symbolism of Doves
Doves have had an important cultural significance throughout recorded human history. Their soft, gentle cooing, pure white feathers, and peaceful demeanor have led them to represent love, fidelity, hope, and new beginnings across many cultures. Doves appear in mythology, literature, religion, art, and folklore as symbols of beauty, devotion, innocence, and peace.
In ancient Greek and Roman mythology, doves drew the chariots of love goddesses Venus and Aphrodite. They were also sacrificed to goddesses by ancient Celtic Druids. In Christianity, the dove became a popular symbol of the Holy Spirit and divine love. It appears during significant Biblical events, like Jesus’ baptism and the story of Noah’s ark. The dove brought an olive branch back to Noah’s ark after the Great Flood subsided, representing hope, restoration, and a new era for mankind.
In Judaism, doves were sacrificed in cleansing rituals and used in imagery representing Israel. They symbolized new beginnings and hope. In Islam, doves and pigeons represent spirituality. Their presence often signifies the presence of God’s spirit. In Chinese and Japanese cultures, doves represent fidelity, longevity, and prosperous new beginnings. Across many Native American tribes, doves signify peace.
Today, doves remain a prevalent symbol of hope, peace, love, communication, and fertility. Their likeness is still used in art, literature, religion, brands, and folklore to convey positive, uplifting messages. Their gentle nature and loyal partnerships make them an ideal representation of devotion, promise, and new starts.
Doves in Art and Media
The dove appears frequently as a symbol in creative works:
- Picasso’s lithograph La Colombe depicts a dove with an olive branch to represent his hope for peace during WWII.
- John Lennon and Yoko Ono used the dove as a popular peace logo in their Bed-In protests against the Vietnam War.
- Dove’s chocolates features a dove on their logo and packaging to signify quality, goodness, and hope.
- Many stories feature doves delivering messages, like wedding rings in marriage customs or letters in fantasy tales.
The dove remains an influential artistic and literary symbol of all that is good, peaceful, and hopeful in the world.
Doves in French Culture
In French culture, doves have maintained symbolic importance, just like in other European societies. They appear in French stories, myths, idioms, and communication:
- In France, turtle doves represent devotion and lasting fidelity between lovers or partners.
- “Les tourtereaux” means “the turtle doves” in French and refers to two lovers.
- White doves are used in magical French stories to portray warmth and spiritual guidance.
- “A la Saint Michel et à la Saint Marie, l’hirondelle s’en va et la tourterelle est partie.” This French proverb notes that doves migrate by Michaelmas and Marymass.
- The French term “colombe” means dove or pigeon. It is also a girl’s name representing purity, gentleness, and peace.
The dove is a cherished symbol in French culture. Its representation of fidelity, spirituality, and devotion features heavily in myths, idioms, and proverbs.
Colombe: The French Word for Dove
In the French language, the word for dove is “colombe.” Here is some helpful information about this term:
- Colombe is a feminine noun in French.
- It has no plural form. “Des colombes” means “some doves.”
- Colombe is pronounced kaw-LOHM-buh in French.
- It can refer to any species of dove or wild pigeon.
- Colombe can also mean a person with dove-like traits: innocent, gentle, faithful.
- La Colombe is a common French girl’s name meaning “the dove.”
Here are some examples of colombe used in French sentences:
- Les colombes blanches représentent la paix. (The white doves represent peace.)
- J’ai vu deux colombes se câliner sur un arbre. (I saw two doves cuddling in a tree.)
- Marie est gentille comme une colombe. (Marie is as gentle as a dove.)
Whether referring to the physical bird or someone dove-like in personality, colombe captures the essence of this bird in the French language.
Types of Doves Native to France
There are several species of doves native to France, including:
Rock Dove
- Scientific name: Columba livia
- French name: Pigeon biset
- Most common urban dove
- Recognizable blue-gray color
- Originally domesticated from wild rock doves
Common Wood Pigeon
- Scientific name: Columba palumbus
- French name: Pigeon ramier
- Larger, long-tailed doves
- Make a resonant booming call
- Forage for seeds and fruit in woodlands
European Turtle Dove
- Scientific name: Streptopelia turtur
- French name: Tourterelle des bois
- Smaller, delicate dove with a collar
- Gentle, purring call
- Nests in trees and dense scrubland
Collared Dove
- Scientific name: Streptopelia decaocto
- French name: Tourterelle turque
- Pale grey doves with white collars
- Spread from Middle East to Europe in 1900s
- Now common in France and most of Europe
These four species make up most of the doves seen in France. They can be found in urban areas, woodlands, and scrublands across the countryside.
Dove Symbolism in French Literature
Doves have featured prominently as meaningful symbols in classic and modern French literature over the centuries:
Le Roman de la Rose
- 13th century French allegorical poem
- Features Lady Idleness with 2 doves on her coat of arms
- Doves represent devoted, faithful romantic love
Les Misérables
- Victor Hugo’s famous 19th century novel
- Innocent Cosette is referred to as a dove, as she is pure and good.
- Doves represent virtue, innocence, hope for a better future.
The Little Prince
- Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1943)
- The prince cares for a helpless dove and protects it from danger.
- The dove represents vulnerability, innocence, companionship.
French writers continue using the dove as a meaningful symbol of purity, spirituality, and hope throughout the ages.
French Expressions Using Colombe
There are several French idioms and expressions that feature “colombe” in reference to doves:
Simple comme bonjour
Meaning: As easy as saying hello
Gentil comme un agneau
Meaning: As gentle as a lamb
Libre comme l’air
Meaning: As free as air
Etre fidèle comme un pigeon
Meaning: To be as faithful as a pigeon
Voir voler les pigeons
Meaning: To daydream or waste time
These examples highlight how colombe is used in French idioms to represent simplicity, gentleness, freedom, and fidelity associated with doves.
Similarities Between Doves and Pigeons
Doves and pigeons actually belong to the same bird family and share many traits. Here are some of their similarities:
| Doves | Pigeons |
|---|---|
| Belong to Columbidae family | Belong to Columbidae family |
| Plump birds with small heads | Plump birds with small heads |
| Make soft cooing noises | Make soft cooing noises |
| Primarily feed on seeds and fruit | Primarily feed on seeds and fruit |
| Mate for life | Mate for life |
| Used to deliver messages | Used to deliver messages |
The terms dove and pigeon are often used interchangeably. Doves tend to be smaller and represent peace, while pigeons are more urban, but they share many physical and behavioral qualities.
Cultural Associations of Doves vs. Pigeons
Though biologically similar, doves and pigeons have different cultural associations:
Doves
- Symbol of peace, love, fidelity
- White, pure color represents innocence
- Appear in mythology and folklore
- Release at celebrations like weddings, ceremonies
- Represent grace, beauty, devotion, spirituality
Pigeons
- Closely associated with urban areas
- Viewed as common, street birds
- Used for sending messages over distances
- Represent resourcefulness, adaptability, endurance
- Associated with rats as urban pest in some areas
Culturally, doves have more positive symbolism related to peace, fidelity, and faith. Pigeons are viewed as tougher urban birds with less symbolic meaning.
Conclusion
In summary, the French word for dove is colombe. Doves carry important symbolic meaning in French culture, idioms, art, and literature. They represent peace, devotion, innocence, and hope. Native French dove species include rock doves, wood pigeons, turtle doves, and collared doves. While biologically similar to pigeons, doves have more positive cultural associations related to purity, love, and spirituality.
