I Was Called by Mama Dove by Judith Shaw

As we move into the Winter Holidays, when calls for peace are found everywhere, my reflections keep returning to the wisdom of the little dove.

Unlike most of my animal paintings, which start with research into their myths, Mama Dove was different. This painting came about through direct experience in the natural world. In the summer of 2024, a dove nested in the deteriorating lattice roof of my pergola, allowing me to observe her closely as she sat on her eggs. This amazing experience revealed her nurturing strength, and inspired me to create this painting.

At that time, I knew that doves symbolize peace around the world, and I intuitively connected them with maternal instincts. However, I didn’t consider this further until the desire to recycle an old frame recently surfaced.

I spent a long time working with Mama Dove, adapting it to the old frame. Then, I cleared a spot to hang it, photographed it in its new place, and took detail shots for my new online gallery, Singulart. Thoughts about Dove swirled in my restless brain throughout these activities, inspiring me to explore the symbology and stories of Dove further.

Dove wisdom offers the perfect antidote to the hatred and violence that loudly claim our attention today.

Love

Since ancient times, doves have symbolized love and romance. Most doves are monogamous and mate for life. Dove pairs always stay together, from roosting at night to building their nests to incubating their eggs. They love to cuddle, preen each other, and nibble on each other’s necks. When one mate dies, the other appears to mourn its loss, often returning to the place where they lost that companion for a long time before moving on with life. If they do re-mate, it’s rarely for life.

The white dove, in particular, is sacred to Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of Love, who is frequently portrayed with doves either perched on her shoulders or soaring around her. Preceding Aphrodite, the first mermaid goddess, Atargatis of Mesopotamia, was also associated with doves. Her sanctuaries, scattered throughout the ancient world, were full of trees populated by many doves. Atargatis’s deep experiences of love and loss led to her transformation into a mermaid, further linking the symbol of the dove with themes of love.

It’s common today to release doves at weddings, symbolizing the enduring love between the couple. In addition departed loved ones are remembered at funerals and memorials with the release of doves, expressing the love still held for the deceased.

Around the world, people associate doves with peace, hope, and the divine. 

Peace and Hope

One ancient origin of the dove’s role as a peacekeeper and bringer of hope is found in the Bible’s story of the Great Flood. After many moons on the Ark, Noah first sent a raven and then a dove in search of dry land, but both returned without success. Later, Noah sent the dove again, and it returned carrying an olive leaf, indicating that life had returned to the land. Seven days later, he sent the dove once more, and it did not return, proving that the Earth was habitable again.

When conducting peace negotiations, some Native American tribes would release doves, symbolizing forgiveness and unity.

From European to Native American cultures, seeing doves during difficult times brought hope that better days were coming soon. Dove has become an international symbol of peace, cooperation and hope.

The Divine

Around the world, the dove is connected with the divine. To Christians, the dove represents the Holy Spirit, heaven, and Christianity itself. Many Native American tribes believed doves to be divine messengers, carrying messages of hope, healing, and reconciliation from the Great Spirit. The Celts associated doves with saints. In particular, one of Ireland’s three patron saints, St. Columba—known as the Church Dove—was recognized for his wisdom and diplomacy. In Japan, doves were the sacred animals of the Protector God, Hachiman, who used them as his messengers.

Since long before the time of the goddesses Aphrodite and Atargatis, people have connected doves to the Divine Feminine. Doves were sacred to Ishtar, the Goddess of Love and War, one of the oldest recorded goddesses. Her association with doves represented her peace-bringing aspect and her role in love and romance. Doves were also associated with the Egyptian Goddess of Magic and Motherhood, Isis, acting as her messengers and strengthening its connection to the maternal instinct. The “Dove Shrine” found at the Minoan site of Knossos, includes three pillars with doves perched on top, doves incised on an offering vessel, and doves sitting on the iconic Minoan double axes. In other Minoan locations, many figurines with upraised hands and doves perched on their heads are viewed as representations of the Dove Goddess.

Pigeons in the mix

The possibility of encountering a dove in your daily life is high, as pigeons are actually doves too. The terms “dove” and “pigeon” are interchangeable, referring to members of the Columbidae family. The smaller ones are called doves, while the larger ones are referred to as pigeons. So, the next time you feel annoyed by the presence of pigeons in your neighborhood, just remember that a pigeon is a dove filled with messages of love, peace, and hope.

Belonging

In addition to bringing messages from the Divine, the dove represents navigation, homecoming, and communication. Doves and pigeons are well-known for their incredible homing abilities, but pigeons can navigate home over significantly longer distances than doves. This skill was widely used in the past for long-distance communication. As doves exhibit a strong desire to return home, they symbolize belonging.

Dove Wisdom

The next time you spot a dove or a pigeon, take a moment to remember the wisdom that the dove offers. Feel the dove’s gentle nature and allow its calming presence to soothe your worried mind and aching heart with messages of peace and love. The dove reminds you that although the moment may be difficult, hope endures and happier days are around the corner. It offers the promise that beauty and meaning are always available. When you feel alone and lost, heed the dove’s call, leading you to your true tribe and place of belonging.

Dove connects you to Mother Earth and the maternal instinct, representing the deep peace found in nature and nurturing. It reminds us all of our responsibility to honor and protect the Earth, our families, and our communities by living a peaceful life filled with love and compassion for all beings. The dove’s frequent presence reminds you that we are all connected and urges you to live in harmony with yourself and the world at large.

Dove helps you release negative thoughts and emotions with its gentle way of being. When Dove calls your name, pay special attention to your thoughts and dreams, as this messenger from the Divine brings messages from your higher self—messages that help realize your dreams of living a joyful, peaceful, love-filled life. 

May your days be filled with the gentle cooing of doves.

Judith’s oracle decks, Celtic Goddess Oracle & Animal Wisdom Oracle are available here.
Judith’s prints, merch and some originals are available at Judith Shaw Art.