THE DOVE is a bird that, in the symbolism of ancient cultures, is endowed with a significant meaning to this day. The peace-loving powerless and gentle character that is attributed to this bird (in contrast to its real behavior) makes it the embodiment of meekness and love, and along with this fearfulness and talkativeness. Today, the dove has become the symbol of the peace movement (as opposed to the hawk). There was a similar symbolism in ancient times, when the dove was opposed to the eagle and the raven (Horace, Martial, Juvenal). "Doves" was already at that time an erotic pet name for lovers and a derogatory nickname for corrupt girls. The origins of this are primarily in the association of a dove with a goddess that arose among the Semitic peoples of the East.
