Dove symbolism

[Dida]

In the book Angel and Demons, Dan Brown claimed that dove was a pagan angel of peace. However, if my memory serves me, the dove symbolism is supposed to be Christian in origin.
A dove was supposed to have been released by Noah after the flood in order to find land; it came back carrying an olive branch, telling Noah that, somewhere, there was land. That was how a dove with an olive branch has since then come to symbolize peace. In Christian iconography, a dove also symbolizes the Holy Spirit, in reference to Matthew 3:16 and Luke 3:22 where the Holy Spirit appeared as a dove at the Baptism of Jesus.
So, what is the origin of the dove symbolism really? Did Dan Brown’s claim have any basis?

PS: Dan Brown also claimed that the idea of Holy Communion was borrowed from the Aztec. This sounds ridiculous, because the Aztec was not known to exist until the 1500’s, long after the Catholic tradition has been established. Please feel free to enlighten me on this as well.

 

[Fifty]

Dan Brown claims everything is a pagan symbol of everything.

 

[CartesianFart]

. In Christian iconography, a dove also symbolizes the Holy Spirit, in reference to Matthew 3:16 and Luke 3:22 where the Holy Spirit appeared as a dove at the Baptism of Jesus.
So, what is the origin of the dove symbolism really? Did Dan Brown’s claim have any basis?

Holy Spirit appeared as a dove at the Baptism of Jesus.
Could be a literary metaphor,not as an actual dove.

 

[Dida]

Holy Spirit appeared as a dove at the Baptism of Jesus.
Could be a literary metaphor,not as an actual dove.

Look up the definition of 'symbolism'.

 

[CartesianFart]

Look up the definition of 'symbolism'.

Nah,i already know what it means.Can you tell me then,since you are stressing the concept more important than me.

 

[classical_hero]

The Dove symbolism basically has to do with the Noah Ark's account, because it is when the Dove Brings back the Olive branch that humanity is again at peace with God. That is what the symbolism is about, bring peace on earth, basically.

 

[EdCase]

Not saying he is right .. But did it ever occur to you that the writer in the Bible may have "borrowed" the idea from an earlier tale ?
As for Holy Communion. He was probably referring to the Aztec usage of teonanacatl mushrooms (translates supposedly to flesh of the gods) in a form of a Eucharist ritual.
Plus consuming the body of ones Deity is quite a widespread phenomena in ancient religions.

 

[Dida]

Not saying he is right .. But did it ever occur to you that the writer in the Bible may have "borrowed" the idea from an earlier tale ?
As for Holy Communion. He was probably referring to the Aztec usage of teonanacatl mushrooms (translates supposedly to flesh of the gods) in a form of a Eucharist ritual.
Plus consuming the body of ones Deity is quite a widespread phenomena in ancient religions.

It is possible of course, that author of the bible borrowed the 'dove' idea from even older traditions. If this is true, from which tradition did he borrow?
As for the holy communion, it was clearly stated in the bible that Jesus wanted his followers to do this. I don't see how exactly the catholics could have borrowed from the Aztecs.

 

[The Last Conformist]

Dan Brown shouldn't be considered a reliable source on anything.

The dove was a symbol of various goddesses of love and fertility long before anyone had heard of Judaicism, however, so it's perfectly possible the connection with peace also predates Christianity (altho some of the goddesses involved, like Astarte/Ishtar, weren't notably peaceful).

The claim about communion and Aztecs is pure fantasy.


Edit: My encyclopedia characterized the dove as symbol for peace as "modern", so it appears Dan Brown is flat out wrong there too.

 

[EdCase]

Pure fantasy or just incomplete research.
In saying that though. Christianity is such a bastardized religion, almost anything is possible.

 

[VoodooAce]

However, if my memory serves me, the dove symbolism is supposed to be Christian in origin.
A dove was supposed to have been released by Noah after the flood in order to find land; it came back carrying an olive branch, telling Noah that, somewhere, there was land.

Noah was a Christian?

 

[Dida]

Noah was a Christian?

Whether or not Noah was a Christian, it does not change the tie of the dove symbolism to christianity. your question is absurd.

 

[Quasar1011]

Noah was a Christian?

He wasn't then. But he is now.

 

[JollyRoger]

He wasn't then. But he is now.

Seeing that he pre-dates Abraham, I guess he is now a Muslim also.

 

[Markus6]

Seeing that he pre-dates Abraham, I guess he is now a Muslim also.

It obviously depends on your point of view. Jews think Noah, Abraham and Moses are Jewish. Christian's think they were pre-Jesus Christians and Muslims think they were pre-Muhammed Muslims. Seeing as though those guys wouldn't have known what Jews, Christians or Muslims were it's a pretty mute point.

 

[Dida]

History is a whore, anyone who can afford it can rape her in whatever way he wishes.

 

[The Last Conformist]

But you have to be Dan Brown to have people falling down and worshipping you for it.