Why is the dove considered the symbol of peace throughout the world?
Doves mate for life, are incredibly loyal to each other and work together to build their nest and raise their young. Because they tend to nest in areas that humans can watch, people picked up quickly on the idea that doves were dedicated, honorable, and peaceful.
While hawks and other birds of prey would violently attack their neighbors, the dove was a bird of peace, eating seeds, easily trained to eat out of the hand or to become domesticated.
Beginning with the Egyptians, the dove was a symbol of quiet innocence. The Chinese felt the dove was a symbol of peace and long life.
To the early Greeks and Romans, doves represented love and devotion, and care for a family. The dove was the sacred animal of Aphrodite and Venus, the goddesses of love. The dove also symbolized the peaceful soul for many cultures.
The Bible continued this symbolism, often referring to the dove as an animal representing love, loyalty, fidelity, and honesty. The dove is entrusted with the olive branch when Noah hopes to find a new home for himself, his family, and his flock. The dove often also represents the Holy Spirit.
Today I will be following in the ideal of the early Greeks and Romans in love, devotion, and care of family. Today my mom enters a hospital 45 minutes away for a 5 to 7 day stint of testing. Violent storms are predicted for our area today and she is afraid of storms. I am praying God's peace will cover her like the wings of a dove and will linger in her heart and mind keeping her calm in the face of both physical and emotional storms during this week.
In spite of the recent turn of events peace prevails. It flows like a river, like the multitude of rivulets running down my window panes, puddling, gathering, strengthening, and nourishing, like the water giving the thirsty earth a drink, my soul drinks in peace. While it storms without, peace resides within. I am hanging on to the imagery and symbolism of the peaceful dove. I am praying your day contains peace like a river also!
(Information source Amy Davis at Yahoo! Answers)
Doves mate for life, are incredibly loyal to each other and work together to build their nest and raise their young. Because they tend to nest in areas that humans can watch, people picked up quickly on the idea that doves were dedicated, honorable, and peaceful.
While hawks and other birds of prey would violently attack their neighbors, the dove was a bird of peace, eating seeds, easily trained to eat out of the hand or to become domesticated.
Beginning with the Egyptians, the dove was a symbol of quiet innocence. The Chinese felt the dove was a symbol of peace and long life.
To the early Greeks and Romans, doves represented love and devotion, and care for a family. The dove was the sacred animal of Aphrodite and Venus, the goddesses of love. The dove also symbolized the peaceful soul for many cultures.
The Bible continued this symbolism, often referring to the dove as an animal representing love, loyalty, fidelity, and honesty. The dove is entrusted with the olive branch when Noah hopes to find a new home for himself, his family, and his flock. The dove often also represents the Holy Spirit.
Today I will be following in the ideal of the early Greeks and Romans in love, devotion, and care of family. Today my mom enters a hospital 45 minutes away for a 5 to 7 day stint of testing. Violent storms are predicted for our area today and she is afraid of storms. I am praying God's peace will cover her like the wings of a dove and will linger in her heart and mind keeping her calm in the face of both physical and emotional storms during this week.In spite of the recent turn of events peace prevails. It flows like a river, like the multitude of rivulets running down my window panes, puddling, gathering, strengthening, and nourishing, like the water giving the thirsty earth a drink, my soul drinks in peace. While it storms without, peace resides within. I am hanging on to the imagery and symbolism of the peaceful dove. I am praying your day contains peace like a river also!
(Information source Amy Davis at Yahoo! Answers)
17 comments:
Birds and doves, but birds overall are my very inspiration. I love them most out of the animals of the earth. Because of their fragility, wisdom and freedom... A storm is like a person, it will scream out its frustrations with the world and calm down again... it passes.
I hope for your mom and you, that the tests go through smoothly and without worries... And I believe that your Mom will not be afraid, because you cant be afraid having someone as wonderful as yourself.
Hugs,
Dear Sandy,
Praying for your Mother. That she will be filled with God's peace as she travels and for her stay in the hospital. I also pray that God gives the doctors wisdom, compassion and skill to help your Mother. And praying for you too, dear friend.
Hugs and blessings,
Sonya
Joining you to pray for your mother also. God loves her dearly and He wants the very best for her. That's easy to agree with for starters. Peace...its absence says so much and its presence so much more.
This is such a beautiful post. May prayers be with your mother and you during this time of uncertainty. Peaceful Blessings...
Dearest Sandy-
I hope and pray, your mother will go through this day- without fear- that peace will fill her, from witin- even storms will be on her way.
Dear friend, I hope the piece will flow inside you, today and forward, to help you ,help your mother.
Love and hugs,-Dorthe
I will be thinking of your mother and hoping that peace surrounds her. I have always been drawn to doves. We used to have many mourning doves in our garden in San Diego. I find them beautiful.
xo
Claudia
Sandy, I hope as your mother is in the hospital, that the storms find their way somewhere else...They say it's a fast-moving storm system, hopefully quickly gone and no harm done in your area.
Sending blessings and warm hugs your way and to your Mom too....
Diane
A wonderful post and I, too, wish your Mother peace and a good outcome to her 'tests'. Indeed doves are wonderful...there are two who fly in to feed in our garden daily and I delight when they fly in and take off...oh the sight of those feathers spread out and so awesome. We also have two wood pigeons who sit on the branch of a tree and bill and coo to each other for hours. What joy!
I hope your mother feels better soon. I loved the pics of the doves and the stories that you told. Thanx for sharing & blessings and peace from God for the week and upcoming Easter Season. tiff
Giveaway over at The Cranky Queen>Be sure to join!
Hope everything turns out well for your Mom. What a beautiful post this was.
Blessings to you and your Mum from the UK
Sandy,
I have a special place in my heart for morning and turtle doves. My mother fed them constantly when I was a child and their sounds were so soothing to me. I hope your mom finds peace as well and her heart and mind are filled with soothing sounds as well.
xo
lynn
I love hearing the Doves in the early morning. So softly they go about there gleaning and taking care of each other. I will be thinking of you and your Mother, that peace be with her.
Love, Mary
Sandy,
So beautifuly written. You & your blog bring peace & happiness to me. When I enter my whole soul just breathes a sigh of peace & happiness. Good luck with you & your sweet Momma. Send some of that much needed rain to Texas & Oklahoma where we are so dry & fires & wind ravage the dry land. Just soft gentle rain... no violent storms... PEACEFUL is good. HUGS! I've missed you as I have been out traveling. I'm so glad to be home to rest.
I am sorry to hear your mom is having such a hard time and I pray things will work out for the better. Knowing that only God can give that peace that passes all understanding.
Be Blessed
Rebecca
What a beautiful post. Blessings.
Donna
Hi Sandy,
I just found out your blog site as I was searching for the phrase "Bloom where you are planted" and I really love your pictures and thoughts posted. I'm also praying for your mom that she will be fine. God is in control.Hope to hear from you soon.
Melody ^_^
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