DOVE

Symbolic of The Holy Spirit, and blasphemously a symbol of Semiraimis, "the Queen of Heaven", or "mother goddess".

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Dove. Dove
In their wild state doves generally build their nests in the clefts of rocks, but when domesticated “dove-cots” are prepared for them (Cant. 2:14; Jer. 48:28; Isa. 60:8). The dove was placed on the standards of the Assyrians and Babylonians in honour, it is supposed, of Semiramis (Jer. 25:38; Vulg., “fierceness of the dove;” comp. Jer. 46:16; 50:16). Doves and turtle-doves were the only birds that could be offered in sacrifice, as they were clean according to the Mosaic law (Ge. 15:9; Lev. 5:7; 12:6; Luke 2:24). The dove was the harbinger of peace to Noah (Gen. 8:8, 10). It is often mentioned as the emblem of purity (Ps. 68:13). It is a symbol of the Holy Spirit (Gen. 1:2; Matt. 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22; John 1:32); also of tender and devoted affection (Cant. 1:15; 2:14). David in his distress wished that he had the wings of a dove, that he might fly away and be at rest (Ps. 55:6-8). There is a species of dove found at Damascus “whose feathers, all except the wings, are literally as yellow as gold” (68:13).

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dove. Dove, [duv] n. a pigeon, a kind of wild pigeon

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Dove (?), n. [[OE. dove, duve, douve, AS. d�fe; akin to OS. d�ba, D. duif, OHG. t�ba, G. taube, Icel. d�fa, Sw. dufva, Dan. due, Goth. d�b�; perh. from the root of E. dive.]] 1. 1. (Zoöl.) A pigeon of the genus Columba and various related genera. The species are numerous.
☞ The domestic dove, including the varieties called fantails, tumblers, carrier pigeons, etc., was derived from the rock pigeon (Columba livia) of Europe and Asia; the turtledove of Europe, celebrated for its sweet, plaintive note, is C. turtur or Turtur vulgaris; the ringdove, the largest of European species, is C. palumbus; the Carolina dove, or Mourning dove, is Zenaidura macroura; the sea dove is the little auk (Mergulus alle or Alle alle). See Turtledove, Ground dove, and Rock pigeon. The dove is a symbol of innocence, gentleness, and affection; also, in art and in the Scriptures, the typical symbol of the Holy Ghost. 2. 2. A word of endearment for one regarded as pure and gentle.
O my dove, . . . let me hear thy voice. Cant. ii. 14. Dove tick (Zoöl.), a mite (Argas reflexus) which infests doves and other birds. — Soiled dove, a prostitute.