The Dove and the Ant.

Aesop

The Dove and the Ant.

The Dove and the Ant.

Aesop

The Dove and the Ant.

"And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus." Luke 1:26-31 KJV

<p>Illustration of the Virgin Mary praying at an altar in her room as the archangel Gabriel approaches her to tell her she will give birth to Jesus. Gabriel is knelt on a cloud, his left arm raised. He is holding an olive branch. Above Mary's head, a dove is flying out of a cloud and a shaft of light glows down on Mary's head. A vase with lilies in it sits on the floor.

The Annunciation - the Angel Gabriel Approaches Mary while She is Praying

"And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,…

Jesus sits at the right hand of God and a dove, the Holy Spirit, hovers above them. Gathered around them are the apostles, Moses, and the Virgin Mary. There are also several angels and cherubim surrounding and within the group.

The Apostles, Jesus, God, the Holy Spirit, and the Blessed Virgin Mary in Heaven

Jesus sits at the right hand of God and a dove, the Holy Spirit, hovers above them. Gathered around…

"And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in the Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens rent asunder, and the Spirit as a dove descending upon him: And a voice came out of the heavens, Thou art my beloved Son, in thee I am well pleased." Mark 1:9-11 ASV
<p>Illustration of Jesus being baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. Jesus stands, shin-deep in the river water, arms crossed on his chest and head bowed. John stands on the river bank with a staff in his left hand. With his right hand, he pours a bowl of water on Jesus head. A dove emerges from the parted clouds overhead.

The Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the Jordan River

"And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John…

"And Jesus when he was baptized, went up straightway from the water: and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him; and lo, a voice out of the heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Matthew 3:16-17 ASV
<p>Illustration of Jesus kneeling next to John the Baptist. A ray of light, the spirit of God, descends from a dove onto Jesus' head. There is a cloud behind the dove. John the Baptist, dressed in animal skins and holding a staff with a banner that reads "Agnus", is standing next to Jesus.

The Spirit of God Descends on Jesus When He is Baptized by John the Baptist

"And Jesus when he was baptized, went up straightway from the water: and lo, the heavens were opened…

An illustration of two birds. On the left side is a European wood pigeon and on the right is a stock-dove.

Birds

An illustration of two birds. On the left side is a European wood pigeon and on the right is a stock-dove.

A calligraphic banner with a bird.

Calligraphic Banner

A calligraphic banner with a bird.

A dove, flying.

Dove

A dove, flying.

"Pyx in the form of a Dove." &mdash; Chambers' Encyclopedia, 1875

Dove

"Pyx in the form of a Dove." — Chambers' Encyclopedia, 1875

"And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth." Genesis 8:11 KJV

Return of the Dove to the Ark

"And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so…

An illustration of a blue rock-dove.

Blue rock-dove

An illustration of a blue rock-dove.

The Olive-Backed Quail-Dove (Geotrygon veraguensis) is a bird in the Columbidae family of pigeons and doves. It was also known as the Veraguan Partridge-dove.

Olive-Backed Quail-Dove

The Olive-Backed Quail-Dove (Geotrygon veraguensis) is a bird in the Columbidae family of pigeons and…

The ring-dove, of the order <em>Columb&aelig;</em>, is one of Europe's largest wild pigeons.

Ring Dove

The ring-dove, of the order Columbæ, is one of Europe's largest wild pigeons.

Common to Europe and Asia, the rock dove makes its home among the high rocks of the coast.

Rock dove

Common to Europe and Asia, the rock dove makes its home among the high rocks of the coast.

The stock dove, which prefers a mountainous habitat.

Stock dove

The stock dove, which prefers a mountainous habitat.

The White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) is a dove whose native range extends from the south-western USA through Mexico and the Caribbean. It has also been introduced to Florida. Most populations of White-winged Doves are migratory, wintering in Mexico and Central America.

White-Winged Dove

The White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) is a dove whose native range extends from the south-western…

A large variety of doves and pigeons, pictured in a forested scene.

Doves and pigeons

A large variety of doves and pigeons, pictured in a forested scene.

A pair of turtle doves roosting on a branch.

Turtle doves

A pair of turtle doves roosting on a branch.

Saint Mark sitting an a cloth-covered table writing the Gospel. Scrolls rest on the table. Beside him rests a lion, the Evangelist's traditional symbol.

Saint Mark Writing

Saint Mark sitting an a cloth-covered table writing the Gospel. Scrolls rest on the table. Beside him…

Saint Matthew sitting an a cloth-covered table writing the Gospel. The Holy Spirit, represented as a dove, hovers over his shoulder. Books and a human skull rest on the table. The skull, presumably, is a reference to man, the Evangelist's traditional symbol.

Saint Matthew Writing

Saint Matthew sitting an a cloth-covered table writing the Gospel. The Holy Spirit, represented as a…

"And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them tongues parting asunder, like as of fire; and it sat upon each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." Acts 2:2-4 ASV
<p>Illustration of the apostles as the Holy Spirit descends upon them in the form of tongues of fire. Tiny flames float above their heads. A dove emanating light is at the top of the image. A large book sits on the left side of the image.

Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles

"And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the…

"Now when the apostles that were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit: for as yet it was fallen upon none of them: only they had been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit." Acts 8:14-17 ASV
<p>Illustration of the apostles, Peter and John, laying their hands on the heads of three converts who are receiving the Holy Spirit. Peter has a full beard and John is bare-faced and young. A glowing dove descends from the air in between the two disciples' heads. A wine goblet sits on a table in the background. There is an arched doorway (right).

Peter and John Lay Their Hands on Baptized Converts

"Now when the apostles that were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they…

"Crown-pigeon (Goura coronata). GOURA. The typical genus of crown-pigeons of the Papuan subfamily Gourinae." -Whitney, 1911

Crown Pigeon

"Crown-pigeon (Goura coronata). GOURA. The typical genus of crown-pigeons of the Papuan subfamily Gourinae."…

A common bird found in nearly all parts of the world

Domestic Pigeon

A common bird found in nearly all parts of the world

A long legged breed of domestic pigeons, named for their charasteristic habit of pouting or puffing up its breasts.

English Pouter

A long legged breed of domestic pigeons, named for their charasteristic habit of pouting or puffing…

"The sceptre with the dove is of gold, three feet seven inches long; the circumference of the handle is three inches, and two inches and a quarter at the end of the staff; the pomel is decorated with a fillet of table diamonds and other precious stones; the mound at the top is enriched with a band of rose diamonds; upon the mound is a small cross of Calvary, over which is a dove with its wings expanded, as the emblem of mercy.SCEPTRE. A royal staff; an ensign of sovereignty borne in the hand. It was originally a javelin without a head. Sceptres of the present time are splendidly decorated with jewellery. " -Hall, 1862

Sceptre with the Dove

"The sceptre with the dove is of gold, three feet seven inches long; the circumference of the handle…

A triple floral banner with two birds.

Triple Banner

A triple floral banner with two birds.

A turtle dove <i>(Streptopelia turtur)</i> is a member of the Columbidae family.

Turtle Dove

A turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur) is a member of the Columbidae family.

An illustration of a domestic turtle-dove.

Domestic turtle-dove

An illustration of a domestic turtle-dove.

A depiction of the twelve disciples receiving the Holy Spirit.

Twelve Disciples

A depiction of the twelve disciples receiving the Holy Spirit.