The Holy Spirit, hope, or mourning. The dove descending symbolized the Holy
Ghost. The ascending dove symbolized the souls flight to heaven. It is also
shown with an olive branch in its beak, symbolizing hope and deliverance
(story of Noah - Genesis 8). When shown simply standing it may refer to
mourning. When the dove is mentioned in the Bible it is often in the context
of mourning.
Biblical References: Matthew 3, 16-17
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and,
lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God
descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven,
saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Psalm 55, 6
And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and
be at rest.
Isaiah 38, 14
Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove: mine
eyes fail with looking upward: O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me.
On 4/12/07, Ernie & Connie Lasley <elasley(a)sigecom.net> wrote:
Hello All,
I am working on a presentation on "Cemetery Art and Symbolism" and I
have found one that has me somewhat puzzled as I cannot find it
mentioned in any of the references on Gravestone Art. It is a
carving of a Dove, laying against a small tree stump with it's head
down as if dead, and one wing propped up on the stump.
There are several interpretations for birds and doves - peace;
innocence; purity; the Holy Spirit - And flying doves -
resurrection; eternal Life; the flight of the soul back to God.
But I can find no reference of a dove that appears to be dead or
weeping, with one wing up on the small tree stump. The stump
suggests a possible connection to the Modern Woodmen of America
fraternal organization, but small stumps also symbolize premature
death, and these are all on children's graves.
Has anyone else seen these, or know anything about it's symbolism?
Ernie
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