The dove has been a symbol of Jesus Christ for over 2,000 years. Images of doves appear frequently in Christian art and iconography as a representation of the Holy Spirit. But why exactly was the dove chosen as a symbol for Christ? There are a few key reasons:
The baptism of Jesus
One of the main Biblical stories that links the dove to Christ is the account of his baptism. All four gospels describe the Holy Spirit descending on Jesus “like a dove” after his baptism in the Jordan river by John the Baptist:
“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.” (Matthew 3:16)
This event marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry and shows him being anointed by God’s spirit. The dove imagery emphasizes the gentle, delicate nature of the Holy Spirit settling on Christ.
The dove as a symbol of peace
Doves have long been used as a symbol for peace, dating back to ancient Mesopotamian civilizations. In the Bible, after the great flood, Noah sends out a dove which returns with an olive branch to show that God’s anger has subsided and there is new life on Earth again. The olive branch remains a universal sign of peace.
Jesus is known as the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6) and his message reconciles humanity with God. The dove reinforces the themes of reconciliation, harmony and new life that Christ represents.
The innocence of the dove
In ancient times, doves were used in sacrifice rituals because they were considered pure, gentle and innocent. Doves are faithful monogamous partners and tender parents – qualities that evoke the sinless nature of Christ. Describing the Spirit as a dove in the baptism account stresses the untainted, virtuous character of Jesus.
The dove as a literary symbol
The dove was established as a poetic symbol and image in ancient Hebrew and early Christian literary traditions. The Song of Solomon, an ode to love filled with nature imagery, uses doves to portray romantic longing, fidelity and Springtime renewal. The dove is a gentle muse evoking beauty and affection. This lyrical imagery transferred naturally to the New Testament writers describing Christ.
The dove in early Christian art
Once the dove became identified as a symbol of Christ, it quickly became ubiquitous in early Christian art across the Roman empire. Some examples include:
Catacomb paintings
The catacombs of Rome contain thousands of tombs decorated with Christian art from the 1st to 5th centuries AD. Many feature paintings of doves with olive branches, often paired with anchors or fish. The dove and anchor represent the soul being anchored in the hope of salvation.
Sarcophagi sculpture
Elaborate marble sarcophagi became popular among wealthy Christians in Rome beginning in the 2nd century AD. Scenes from the bible, like Jonah and the Whale or the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes, were carved along the sides. Doves frequently frame the central pictures.
Mosaics
Mosaics were a common wall and ceiling decoration in early Christian churches. The mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna, Italy contains mosaics from the 5th century AD with golden crosses, vines and doves drinking from fountains of paradise. The dove was a standardized symbol that church visitors would instantly recognize.
The dove as a symbol of the Holy Spirit
The dove encompasses many attributes that make it a fitting representation of the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Christian Trinity:
Gentleness
A dove’s soft fluttering wings and cooing voice give it a gentle disposition. The Spirit is patient, comforting and nurturing.
Beauty
With gleaming feathers and melodious song, the dove is graceful and beautiful. The Spirit radiates divine beauty and inspiration.
Faithfulness
Doves demonstrate unwavering commitment to their mates. The Spirit is steadfast and loyal.
Simplicity
Doves exhibit guileless, innocent natures. The Spirit manifests candor, directness and purity.
Peace
As an ancient sign of peace, the dove represents the Spirit’s role bringing harmony and reconciliation.
The dove in Christian scripture
Beyond the baptism account, the dove appears in several other passages of Christian scripture in relation to the Holy Spirit:
Jesus’ teaching on peace
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
Here Christ uses dove-like attributes to describe God’s children. Peacemakers reflect the placidity of the dove.
Jesus’ prophecy of suffering
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” (Matthew 23:37)
Jesus laments over Jerusalem like a dove brooding over a vulnerable nest. It emphasizes his protective love.
The Spirit at Jesus’ baptism
“As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.” (Mark 1:10)
The dove-like Spirit seals Jesus’ authority as the Son of God.
The Spirit’s role as advocate
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever – the Spirit of truth.” (John 14:16)
The comforting Spirit is portrayed as another companion, like a mate.
The dove as a Christian icon
The dove remains one of the most popular symbolic images of Christianity used for decoration and worship:
Church architecture
Stained glass windows, frescoes, mosaics and other church artwork often feature doves encircled by rays of light to represent the Holy Spirit emanating from Heaven. Easter decorations also incorporate a lot of white doves.
Baptismal fonts
Baptismal fonts are commonly built in the style of a dove-shaped basin or with dove relief carvings. They reference the dove at Jesus’ baptism.
Anointing oils
Chrism oil used in sacraments like baptism, confirmation or ordination is often stored in a vessel shaped like a dove. The oil is blessed and said to contain the Holy Spirit.
Statuary
Sculptures depicting the Holy Spirit frequently show a dove resting above the heads of Jesus or another Biblical figure. Doves may also be part of larger Trinity statues grouping the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Personal imagery
Christians often wear or carry dove jewelry, pins, art or other personal effects to signify their faith in the Spirit’s guidance. Some even get dove tattoos.
Conclusion
The dove has been an apt and enduring symbol of Christ for over two millennia. Its peaceful, nurturing and pure essence shares much in common with Jesus’ own gentle, loving nature. When descending as a dove at his baptism, the Spirit marked Christ’s authority as the Son of God in a manner that all could comprehend. The widespread use of the dove image in ancient Christian art and worship reinforced its connection to the Holy Spirit in the early church. Still today, the dove provides a visual shorthand to represent Christ’s Spirit – the Comforter and Advocate – active in the lives of Christians.