The symbol functions to make one think about a complex of related ideas. A sign directs us to stop or points us in a direction. The Bible is replete with symbols and signs.
The dove is a significant symbol in the Bible. The dove with an olive branch in its beak symbolizes peace and restoration in the story of Noah's flood in the region of Lake Chad. The Bible recounts how Noah released a doe and a raven after the rains stopped. In Africa the dove is a symbol of prophetic discernment, suggesting that Noah was seeking guidance or celestial wisdom.The dove is a symbol of the presence of Holy Spirit in the account of Jesus' baptism.
In speaking of God's protection of his flock, Psalm 68:13 describes the dove's wings as being "covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold." The silver and gold symbolize the richness of God's presence with His people.
Hathor, the mother of HR (The Most High) is shown overshadowed by the sun, a symbol of the High God among the early Hebrew.
Mary's conception of the Son of God fulfilled the prophesy given in Isaiah: "And this is the sign... a virgin shall conceive" (Isaiah 7:14).
The Annunciation. Note the dove above Mary's head.
Many icons and paintings of the Virgin Mary show her with a dove hovering above her. In these images the dove represents the Holy Spirit by which Mary conceived by divine overshadowing (Luke 1:35).
The hovering dove in Christian images of the Annunciation replaced the image of the sun in the symbolism of the early Hebrew (4000-2000 BC). They anticipated that a virgin of their ruler-priests caste would conceive the Son of God by divine overshadowing, and the image above is an example of how that woman was portrayed in their images.
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