why is a dove the image of the holy spirit?

Question

i live in a city full of doves and in here they are called "rats with wings".
Why didnt you choose something better, a swam or an eagle or even a sparrow?

Answer 1

The dove is a symbol of the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, because of Matt. 3:16 "And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. " NRSV.

Answer 2

Pigeons are rats with wings, not doves. Doves are just good hunting.

The reason it is the chosen bird is superstition. When jesus was baptized, and came out of the water, it was a cloudy day. It just so happens, that the sun came out when he was baptized. Everyone thought it was heaven shining down. Then out of know where, a bird flies by, and that must have a meaning too, right?

If it had been a sparrow, then everyone would be talking sparrows. It was a dove, so we get stuck hearing about doves.

Answer 3

I've wondered that as well. But doves seem to have a significance in the Bible. A dove brought an olive twig back to Noah, telling him that it was okay to come out. Doves are a sacrificial animal used in the Temple for certain rites. And of course, the Holy Spirit came down in the form of a dove when Jesus was baptized. I suspect it's about symbolizing peace with mankind in the present age.

Answer 4

Thats a good question. As someone has posted already up there (so I wont post it again) the Bible says the Spirit descended like a dove. WHY a dove? Maybe a Swan is too big for the image and an Eagle, though mighty, is a bird of prey, and a sparrow is too small?

I live in a city full of them too but I like them... unless they mess up my car :|

Answer 5

First things first we didn't choose. The dove is a symbol of peace and love.

Interesting fact: A dove has 9 principle flying feathers (the larger feathers on its wings.) Perfectly balanced on either side. There are 9 fruits of the spirit and 9 gifts of the spirit

Answer 6

IN Judeo-christian history, the dove has been commonly used in times of great miracle or in times of struggle. Noah set a dove out to find dry land. In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit came down upon Jesus after he was baptized in the form of a dove.

Answer 7

There were 2 birds sent out of the ark window. The first was a raven, the second was a dove. The dove then became the symbol of the Peace of God.
Since Jehovah sent his son Jesus Christ to the earth and Jesus presented himself for baptize, Jehovah sent his Holy Spirit to anoint Jesus.
Image, Jesus having lived for countless billions of years with Jehovah in the heaven, and having all of that knowledge restored to you all at once.
Having seen it come like a dove, would prepare Jesus to accept Gods blessing.

Answer 8

The spirit descended "as a dove." Why is it that literal interpretations that some abhor are the stumbling blocks that keeps them from believing? Answer: The Holy Spirit

Answer 9

Doves are thought to be synonymous with purity. As such, the Holy Spirit is pure. Therefore Holy Spirit=Dove.

Speaking of birds, I have a joke I made up in 3rd grade for you!

What does a polite French pigeon say?

Merci Boucoup-coo-coo-coo!

Answer 10

Matthew 3:16 "And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him;"

Mark 1:10 "And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens opened and the Spirit descending upon him like a dove;"

Luke 3:22 "and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form, as a dove, and a voice came from heaven, 'Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased.'"

John 1:32 "And John bore witness, 'I saw the Spirit descend as a dove from heaven, and it remained on him.'"