The recent events narrating the doves released by Pope Francis to commemorate praying for peace for Ukraine being attacked could mean bad omens in ancient Greeks . Bird omens were revealed to be a serious field of study for ancient Greeks due to the reason that “in the early mythology of Greece some of their gods and goddesses were believed to have been birds. Birds, therefore, were particularly sacred, and their appearances and movements were of profound significance” . Thus, doves were noted to symbolize many things in ancient times, to include the following: the divine, the Holy Spirit, “a representation of Israel, atoning sacrifice, suffering, a sign from God, fertility and the spirit of God” . From biblical stories, doves were disclosed to represent and symbolize historical events such as the sign that the floods have receded in Noah’s Ark through the dove returning with a green leaf on its beak. Likewise, in important events relating to the life of Jesus Christ, during his birth, baptism, and even death, the dove was also noted to have appeared to confirm it as a symbol of divinity. In addition, there was also some interpretations which see doves as submissive, to wit: “dove never protects itself against traps not only does the dove put up no opposition to large animals, stronger than it, but it is submissive even toward the sparrow” .
If the ancient Greeks were to interpret the doves being attacked by a seagull and a crow, it could be perceived as a bad omen. Since the release of the doves apparently symbolize praying for peace or releasing distraught citizens from the bondage of unrest for the civil strifed nation, being attacked by other birds of prey could be an indication of bad omen or the possibility of impending war.
Works Cited
Burke, D. "Angry Birds! Pope's Peace Doves Attacked." 27 January 2014. CNN. http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2014/01/27/angry-birds-popes-peace-doves-attacked/comment-page-6/. 5 February 2014.
Everette, Derrick. "The Dove." 2011. Monsalvat. http://www.monsalvat.no/dove.htm. 5 February 2014.
"Omens and Meanings." 2007. Reading Tea Leaves. http://www.readingtealeaves.info/omens_meanings.html. 5 February 2014.
Willette, Dorothy. "The Enduring Symbolism of Doves." 2012. Biblical Archeology Society. http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/daily-life-and-practice/the-enduring-symbolism-of-doves/. 5 February 2014.
