Pigeon in art
People love pigeons. Therefore, it is not surprising that this affectionate, trusting bird has a prominent place in painting, drawing, sculpture and decorative and applied art.
And no matter what role the artist assigned to the Dove, whatever idea this bird expresses in his work, it invariably causes us a warm sympathy and a kind smile.
Since ancient times, people considered the Dove – a traditional symbol of peace, hope, faith and prosperity. And there is a lot of evidence. Firstly, it became a symbol of the World Congress of Peace Supporters in 1949, and secondly there are a lot of sculptural monuments dedicated to these birds, calling for peace in the world.
The dove of peace is an expression that gained great popularity after the end of World War II in connection with the activities of the World Congress of Peace Supporters in 1949. The emblem for this congress was painted by the Spanish artist Pablo Picasso. On the emblem a white dove carrying an olive branch in its beak was painted. In 1950, Picasso was elected to the World Peace Council, was awarded the International Peace Prize, and twice the International Lenin Prize “For the strengthening of peace and friendship between peoples.” There is also a tradition of releasing white Doves as a symbol of peaceful intentions.
In some religions, the pigeon is considered a sacred bird, the personification of meekness and fidelity, probably due to the fact that the doves are monogamous. In numerous legends of the peoples of the world, the dove is a symbol of peace, happiness and love.
Why did the ancients so mythologize this bird? There is an assumption that in ancient times people believed that the dove did not have a gall bladder. From the time of Hippocrates gall was considered the cause of evil.
In ancient Rome, the doves of Venus, which made a nest in the overturned helmet of Mars, were considered a symbol of peace. In the countries of the East, pigeons were considered messengers of the gods.
There is a parable about a dove released by Noah in the Old Testament. The bird returned to him with an olive branch in its beak, as a message from God that the elements had subsided and peace was concluded with God. Also, the New Testament describes the descent of the Holy Spirit “in the form of a dove” at the time of Christ’s baptism in the waters of the Jordan. The image of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove has always been widely used in the Christian icon-painting tradition.
In Islam, the dove is also considered a sacred bird. It was the dove that appeared on the shoulder of the prophet Muhammad, showing divine inspiration descending on him.
In Neoplatonism, the dove represented the power by which the lower worlds were established. In Freemasonry, it was a symbol of innocence and purity, in China – longevity and wisdom.
Kissing doves symbolize lovers. In the United States and Great Britain, politicians lobbying for hostilities are called hawks, and peaceful politicians are called doves.