White Doves as Symbols

Astronomy

The constellation Columba (Pigeon and formerly the dove family) is also referred to as Columba Noae, Noah's Dove. It is located due south of Orion, SW of Orion's hunting dog Canis Major. It is south of Lepus, the hare.

"Aphrodite's daughters, the Pleiades -- the Seven Sisters in the night sky-- were also known in Greece as a flock of doves."  article by Orion

Astrology

The astrological influence of the constellation Columba gives a gentle, kind, timid innocent and self-sacrificing nature, together with strength of spirit. (Robson).

Aztec & Americas

"The Aztec Goddess Xochiquetzal is, in part, a goddess of love and she becomes the mother of humanity after the great flood in Aztec mythology. It is She who gives the gift of speech to humans, descending on humankind in the form of a dove to create the languages of the world."

"In some North American indigenous cultures, the spirits of the dead take the form of a dove immediately after departing the body. Dove feathers are sometimes incorporated into prayer sticks as a means of connecting with the guidance of the spirits."  article by Orion

Greek Mythology

The Greek legend about Columba is that Jason and the Argonauts were preparing to cross between the Symplegades-- the Cyanean Rocks at the passage between the Black Sea and the Agean Sea. Legends held that these rocks would wait for a ship to pass between, then violently crash together destroying the boats and killing everyone on board. Jason was forewarned so he sent out a white dove to watch how it would navigate the dangerous passage. Minerva helped the dove fly the passage so fast that the rocks only caught a few tail feathers. This feat was a good omen, so Jason ordered the Argo to row through at top speed. The vessel suffered only minor damage and the rocks became still forever more. Minerva (Athena to the Greeks) placed the dove in the sky as a tribute to the bird's daring deed.   from Anne Wright

"Aphrodite, ancient and lovely, is borne in her chariot drawn by doves, and has often been depicted with doves because She brings love and beauty and peace in which to enjoy the bounties of love.

White doves represent these Goddesses of Love:

4,000 B.C. Magna Mater, the mother goddess
1750 B.C. Babylonian goddess Ishtar
900 B.C. Phoenician goddess Asarte
Greek goddess Aphrodite
Roman goddess Venus source: D.Haag

Hindu

"In India and South Asia, Kamadeva, the Hindu god of love, is depicted armed with a quiver of flowers and riding on a dove. Again, the dove becomes the symbol of divinity, love and peace."    article by Orion

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