Peace

The dove serves as a symbol of innocence, purity, and peace, and the usage of this symbol can be traced back through numerous different cultures and belief systems. For example, in Greece the dove symbolized love and renewal, while in Japan, the end of war was symbolized with a dove with a sword. Since Hopkins was a Roman Catholic priest, it is prudent to look deeper at the Christian symbolism of the dove. The Holy Spirit, one of the three Persons of the Trinity in the Christian faith, is often represented by a dove in the Bible as well as in various artistic representations. Matthew 3:16-17 reads, “And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him.” Since the dove symbolizes the Holy Spirit, it represents God’s presence and guidance. One of the most well-known references of a dove in the Bible is in the book of Genesis when Noah sends out a dove while he and his family are afloat on the ark to see if there is any land visible.