Sensual Marco
The Dove, St.-Michael-Kirche, Leer Ostfriesland
As a Christian symbol it is of very frequent occurrence in ancient ecclesiastical art.
As a symbol of the Holy Spirit it appears especially in representations of the baptism of Our Lord ( Matthew 3:16 ) and of Pentecost. St. Gregory the Great (590-604) is generally shown with a dove on his shoulder, symbolizing inspiration or rather Divine guidance. A dove of gold was hung up in the baptistery at Reims after the baptism of Clovis ; in general the symbol occurs frequently in connexion with early representations of baptism. In ancient times a dove-like vessel was frequently suspended over the baptismal font and in that case
As a symbol of martyrdom it indicated the action of the Holy Spirit in bestowal of the fortitude necessary for the endurance of suffering.
As a symbol of the Church, the agent through which the Holy Spirit works on earth. When two doves appear the symbolism may represent, according to Macarius (Hagioglypta, 222), the Church of the circumcision and that of the Gentiles.
Source: www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=4004
The Dove, St.-Michael-Kirche, Leer Ostfriesland
As a Christian symbol it is of very frequent occurrence in ancient ecclesiastical art.
As a symbol of the Holy Spirit it appears especially in representations of the baptism of Our Lord ( Matthew 3:16 ) and of Pentecost. St. Gregory the Great (590-604) is generally shown with a dove on his shoulder, symbolizing inspiration or rather Divine guidance. A dove of gold was hung up in the baptistery at Reims after the baptism of Clovis ; in general the symbol occurs frequently in connexion with early representations of baptism. In ancient times a dove-like vessel was frequently suspended over the baptismal font and in that case
As a symbol of martyrdom it indicated the action of the Holy Spirit in bestowal of the fortitude necessary for the endurance of suffering.
As a symbol of the Church, the agent through which the Holy Spirit works on earth. When two doves appear the symbolism may represent, according to Macarius (Hagioglypta, 222), the Church of the circumcision and that of the Gentiles.
Source: www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=4004