Sign of the Dove

In Christian thought, the dove is commonly understood to be a symbol of the Holy Spirit, most notably associated with the baptism of Jesus. This association is rooted in the canonical Gospel accounts of the baptism, where the spirit is described as descending "like a dove".^[1][2][3][4]

The name Jonah, from the Hebrew Yôwnâh (יוֹנָה), means dove.^[5] The "sign of Jonas" in the Gospel of Matthew^[6] is related to the "sign of the dove".^[7]

Augustine of Hippo discussed the dove as a symbol in his writings. In De Trinitate, he stated that the Holy Spirit appeared in the form of a dove at Jesus's baptism not because the Spirit has a physical form, but to provide a visible sign understandable to humans.^[8] In his Tractates on the Gospel of John, Augustine noted that the dove's gentleness reflected qualities associated with the Holy Spirit.^[9] He also used the dove to represent the unity of the church, writing, "The Holy Spirit, who dwells in the saints... has fused them into one dove, whose wings are covered with silver."^[10]

In the theology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the sign of the dove is considered a divine witness instituted before the world's creation, and that the devil cannot assume the dove's sign.^[11] This symbol is referenced multiple times in LDS scripture and teachings.^[12][13][14]

Joseph Smith, the founder of the LDS Church, said the Holy Ghost is a distinct personage and does not literally become a dove.^[15]