The Pink Dove
Regina from Columbus, Ohio, asked:
Hi Julie,
Loved, loved, loved, your book Angelic Attendants!
This is a picture I took at the cemetery when my dad, my husband, my sister and I did flowers on my mom’s and brother’s graves. It was a gray and gloomy day because it had been raining. My sister took some pictures to take back to Texas with her and kept saying they didn’t turn out well, so I snapped a few and got in the car to leave.
As we were driving away, I opened the pictures I had taken and noticed one had a pink dove flying overhead. None of us saw it when we were graveside.
What do you think this means? And a pink dove? Have you ever seen one?
Hi Regina,
In order to find the significance of the pink dove flying above your mom’s grave in the picture you sent, I first connected to you and then from you to your mother. She appeared right away and stood at your right shoulder during our conversation.
Your mom told me she sent the pink dove to let all of you know she was with you in spirit. She also told me pink was one of her favorite colors.
Now, let’s explore the significance of the symbol chosen by your mother.
First, pink doves do exist. They’re extremely rare and are mostly found in the Republic of Mauritius, an island nation in the Indian Ocean off the southeast coast of the African continent. I believe your mother chose this bird to get your attention and to let you know it wasn’t a chance encounter with a regular dove. Perhaps she intended the bird as a metaphor to illustrate that although she seems far away, (like Mauritius), she’s right there with you (like the pink dove). She’s just now in non-physical (spirit) form.
Next, in Christian religions, the dove is the symbol for the Holy Spirit. It was believed in Judaeo-Christian culture, that the dove was so pure, it was the one form into which Satan could not transform himself. That’s why doves and pigeons were the only birds suitable for sacrifice by the Hebrews. I believe your mom wants you to know she (and all deceased loved ones) are pure holiness.
Most of us know the dove is a symbol of peace, and is often portrayed with an olive branch in its mouth. This icon is taken from the story of Noah releasing the bird to bring back proof that there was land again somewhere and that the floodwaters were receding. The proof was the olive branch it carried in its mouth when it returned to the ark. I believe your mom wants you to know she is at peace and wants you to be at peace about her passing.
In other ancient cultures, the dove represented love. It was a symbol for Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, and of Venus, her Roman counterpart. This one is obvious. Your mother is sending the symbol of love to let you know how much she loves you and your family.
In Slavic folklore, doves were believed to escort the souls of the dead to Heaven and the Celts believed the mournful call of a dove meant the peaceful passing of someone. Your mom wanted you to know she’s in Heaven.
Lastly, Ted Andrews in his book Animal Speak: The Spiritual & Magical Powers of Creatures Great and Small states, “The song of this totem (the dove) tells you to mourn what has passed, but awaken to the promise of the future. It is a bird of prophecy and can help you to see what you can give birth to in your life.”
Thanks for sharing this magnificent photo.