The Spiritual Meaning Of Doves + What To Do If They Keep Appearing

Have doves started appearing in your life or in your dreams? This gentle bird typically represents peace, love, renewal, and spirituality. Read on to learn more about dove symbolism and what it means if you see this bird often.

Seeing two doves together is usually a sign of good luck in the love and relationships department. If you're in a relationship, it could show you that all is well. If you're single and looking, it could symbolize that love is on its way.

Love, peace, and harmony are the dove's most universal symbols. However, different cultures and religions have their own unique interpretations of the bird.

According to Charlotte Kirsten, M.A., a cultural symbolism expert and psychological astrologer, "The famous Cheyenne proverb, 'If a man is as wise as a serpent, he can afford to be as harmless as a dove,' illustrates this. For certain tribes, a dove's feathers are worn as protective talismans, believed to ward off evil spirits and offer spiritual protection in times of adversity."

"In China, doves are symbols of enduring love, faithfulness, and eternal bonds, both romantically and platonically speaking," explains Kirsten. "Male doves are believed to help their female partners incubate and care for their young, which further bolsters their image as devoted, caring birds." 

In ancient Incan culture, doves were symbolic of those who were no longer on Earth. "The Incas viewed them as a representation of their dead ancestors," says Aúgusta.

Ever wondered about the dove symbolism in the bible? "In Christianity, doves are seen as messengers from God and a sign of the Holy Spirit," Aúgusta explains.

According to Aúgusta, "Buddhists believe the dove embodies compassion and kindness." 

"Doves were associated with Aphrodite and Venus, goddesses of love in ancient Greece and Rome," explains Aúgusta.

Aúgusta explains doves were symbols of fertility in ancient Mesopotamia.

A dove's color will also impact its spiritual meaning in the following ways:

"White doves embody the meaning of purity, peace, love, and connection with the Divine," says Harmon-Luber. A white dove also represents innocence, explains Kirsten. "It not only encourages us to rise above what hurts us, but it reminds us to connect with the inner child within and tap into that ever-expanding childlike curiosity and joy." 

"A gray dove represents the bridge between the old paradigm and the new," says Kirsten. "[A gray dove] often appears when we're at a standstill in our lives and need to release ourselves from self-imposed limitations." According to Aúgusta, gray doves can also represent love and partnership. 

"Blue doves carry the meaning of romance, affection, sexuality, and love," says Aúgusta.

A "fruit dove" is a rare type of multicolored dove native to Southeast Asia and Oceania. "These birds are fiercely territorial and are always on high alert for other species invading their space," says Kirsten. She explains that they can stress themselves out by being so "on" all the time. "Seeing any multicolored dove acts as a gentle reminder to let go of imaginary fears," she adds, as well as surrender the need for control.

"These tend to represent negativity, mourning, transition, depression, or anger," explains Aúgusta.

"Doves remind us that we have the opportunity to be fully present in every moment and to choose inner peace," says Harmon-Luber. "When a dove appears, we're reminded to practice mindfulness [and] find opportunities for cultivating presence and inner peace."

Doves also remind us to pay attention to synchronicities from the spirit world. Similar to owls, doves are considered to be messengers from divine or spiritual realms. "For centuries, doves were used as messenger birds, and their excellent navigational skills meant that they could roam hundreds of miles from home and still find their way back," adds Kirsten.

These regal birds encourage us to "trust in the unknown and forge ahead even when the path is foggy," says Kirsten.

Doves are also heavily connected with finding our "soul purpose" in this lifetime. The message is often, "no matter how far we stray from our 'path,' we'll always be gently guided back to what matters most," says Kirsten.

"Doves remind us to practice unconditional love toward our global community, to retain innocence and gentleness, and to not lose hope," says Harmon-Luber.

The color of the dove will also influence the meaning of the dream, just like in waking life. To help you with your dream interpretation, Aúgusta offers up what different colors of doves may symbolize in your dream:

And if you can't remember the details, Harmon-Luber offers the following technique to help go back into the dream and reconnect with the symbolism of the dove:

She shares that it can take practice to connect with this realm, so don't worry if messages don't come through for you right away.

For Aúgusta, "If you see a lot of doves in your life, it may be a sign from the divine or a higher power that you are on the right path."

Birds, insects, and animals can come into our lives to bring us valuable messages and information. Seeing a dove is a symbol of love, hope, renewal, and trust as well as being connected to other realms.