Doves have long been associated with powerful symbolism throughout many different cultures and belief systems.
Mourning doves, at first glance, would be connected to grief and loss (as their name would suggest).
However, it’s important to know that they carry a broader range of spiritual, symbolic messages and meanings.
In this article, we explore the spiritual meaning behind the visit of a mourning dove and a few possible meanings and interpretations.
Mourning Dove Symbolism

Mourning doves are commonly understood to be associated with mourning, sadness, loss and grief.
But, they hold and carry many more symbolic messages than you can imagine.
Their gentle nature provides a higher tranquil sense of calm, peace, and harmony in your life.
Mourning doves’ presence highlights a connection to the spiritual realm. So, this could mean that a loved one is trying to communicate with you.
Be open to different messages, insights, feelings and familiar energies. As they may be from your angels, guides and loved ones.
Just as in the bible, doves are seen as symbols of God’s presence. So, God is also wanting to talk with you when you see a mourning dove.
Their presence is bringing you a sense of optimism, encouraging you to embrace fresh starts and believe in the potential for renewal and positive change.
Particularly in times of loss and grief, their presence brings you solace, comfort and relief.
Symbolically, they serve as a reminder to focus on healing, mental health and our own well-being.
They remind us of transforming and growing in ways that allow us to let go of the past.
Also, I believe you’ll enjoy reading about the spiritual meaning of a bunny.
Mourning Dove Spiritual Meaning

There are many different things that could contribute to the spiritual meaning of mourning doves including:
- When and where you have seen it (in a dream, in life, at night etc.)?
- What it was doing at the time?
- How many there are?
Mourning doves hold a powerful spiritual meaning. They usually carry specific messages that relate to whatever you are currently going through in your life.
It is a reminder to look within yourself and find meaning.
It can be a symbol of strength and determination, as it can be a bad omen for the loss of a loved one as well as a warning against making the wrong way (reconsider your decisions).
Seeing 2 mourning doves:
Seeing two mourning doves can have many different spiritual means. But, the most important one is to look into and reflect on your relationships — both romantic based and non-romantic based.
Doves are a symbol of love, dedication and faith. They remind us to pour all of these into our relationships and look for them in our lives.
Also, they can also be a positive omen of good luck. They signify how a good change is approaching in your life.
If you have been struggling with finding and keeping hope or constant disappointment then, seeing two mourning doves can be a great omen of positive shifts.
Seeing 3 mourning doves:
Seeing three mourning doves indicates a powerful time to manifest.
It also means that all your hard work, prayers and dreams are being heard. The higher powers are working in order to turn them into reality.
Now would be a great time for you to sit and make plans, and focus on how to fulfill your own desires.
If you have a path laid out in front of you, this is a positive sign to release any distractions and focus on what must be done in order for you to take advantage of all opportunities and materialize all desires.
Seeing 4 mourning doves:
The number four represents the four elements: fire, water, air and earth.
Each mourning dove signifies the importance of spending time within nature and the importance of allowing ourselves to be influenced and guided by nature.
It is also a call for you to take a step back in your life and observe different perspectives and points.
An open mind can help you to receive new ideas, messages, insights and introspections.
Live life to the full and accept the balance and interconnected way in which we live life. Seek clarity, renewal and a greater understanding of yourself and the world around you.
Also, take some time to read the spiritual meaning of seeing two eagles flying together.
What Does It Mean When A Grey Mourning Dove Visits You?

Mourning doves are frequently used to symbolize affection, hope, and peace because of their appearance.
It may be meant to depict a message of love sent by God. During a time of great difficulty, the mourning dove may be sent to you as a sign of support.
You may be going through a period of grief right now, or you may have recently emerged from a period of grief. Like Christ’s birth, you are blessed with God’s grace.
The 9 signs of Mourning doves are mentioned below:
1) Comfort
Mourning doves can bring a wonderful sense of comfort to us in difficult times. They carry with them powering healing energies.
By visiting you, it is carrying with it the reassurance that the difficult times you are experiencing will get better. You will be able to overcome any grief, loss and dark spaces you find yourself in.
Allow its presence to inspire you to release the pain caused by and associated with any difficult times and experiences.
Be inspired to begin a healing journey. Remember your lost loved ones and find happiness and joy in your memories with them.
Open your heart to be able to receive this message that you are not alone and have the strength to overcome.
2) Guidance
Being visited by a grey mourning dove is a powerful spiritual indication that you are being guided on and towards a spiritual journey and transformation.
Do not be afraid to seek and ask for guidance or direction when you are being presented with powerful symbols such as this one.
You are being presented with all the guidance and wisdom required for you to trust and believe in your own instincts and intuition in life in order to follow the right paths.
Use this powerful reminder to trust in your own inner voice and wisdom.
So, be inspired by the dove’s nature in order to encourage you to approach life and its challenges with patience, calm and grace.
3) Loss and Grief
The grey mourning bird can also be a symbol of grief. Their sound and call have been known to indicate the arrival of pain, grief and suffering into our lives.
This doesn’t necessarily have to mean the death of a loved one. It can also mean the loss of something important to you or something you cherish.
If you have experienced the passing of a loved one, the mourning dove is appearing to you as a symbol of that spiritual transformation.
Remember that letting go of emotions and feelings that are holding you down or back can be quite harmful and steer you away from your purpose in life and spiritual path.
4) Hope
Mourning doves hold powerful messages that signify hope.
In general, doves carry with them the hope of new beginnings. And, the grey mourning dove relates to our future and the positivity in it.
In times of transition and difficulty, the appearance of the mourning dove is to let you know that all the answers to your prayers and questions are coming to fruition.
There is hope and all your faith has not been in vain. Do not lose hope and keep working for yourself, your mental health, your well-being and the things you believe in.
5) Good Luck and Abundance
The mourning dove symbolizes good fortune, blessings and good luck is on the way. It is believed that they are great omens and carry with them positivity.
When a mourning dove visits you, it is a sign of greatness entering your life. You are about to embrace a new phase and need to be alert for wonderful opportunities that will be coming your way.
When they visit you, it is also said to be a sign of prosperity and abundance.
Be open to the ideas of new paths, opportunities and beginnings. As it will open you up to new chapters and positive spiritual journeys.
6) Messages From Spirit World
A mourning dove has the ability to travel spiritually between this world and the spirit world. Therefore, they have the powerful ability to carry messages from the spirit world into this world.
Its name refers to its association with the afterlife. Its presence may mean a deceased loved one is reaching out to you.
Pay attention to their energy because as a medium they are most definitely carrying something powerful they wish to convey.
Receive the guidance, comfort and love from this encounter. Also, pay close attention to your dreams and thoughts at this time.
I believe you should also take a look at the spiritual meaning of a hawk flying over you.
7) Live Up To Your Potential
When a grey mourning dove pays you a visit, it carries a symbolic reminder to you that you need to unlock your inner capabilities.
Break down the barriers that you have placed around yourself and find inspiration from within.
You can achieve anything and everything you set your mind to.
So, set yourself some goals and reminders in order to actualize and refocus your thoughts and life in order to receive and achieve every day.
Use the grey dove as a reminder to push yourself to your limit. Take on new opportunities and explore and experiment with your abilities.
8) God’s Presence
In the story of Jesus Christ’s baptism, a dove was sent to symbolize the presence, support and love of God.
So, when a grey mourning dove visits you, it can symbolize the presence of God.
The dove is often associated with spirituality and divine connection. Its choice to appear to you or visit you serves as a reminder of God’s love, peace, and guidance.
It is a sign that God is near or around you.
Allow the mourning dove to inspire you to deepen and widen your relationship with God and your faith. Increase and focus on spiritual practices such as prayer and meditation.
Trust in your belief in the higher power and the holy spirit. As this can be a great sign of your growing connection with God.
9) The Importance of Self
Mourning doves are known to have spiritual ties to our emotional well-being.
They provide you with the opportunity to take some time to ask yourself where you are emotionally while they are providing you with a sense of stability.
Doves bring with them emotional balance, inspiration to explore our emotions and a nudge towards self-exploration, personal growth as well as self-discovery.
By paying attention to and embracing these things you will cultivate a greater relationship with yourself. Try to increase your ability to be self-aware throughout your life.
What Does It Mean When A Dove Visits Your Home?

When a dove visits your home, it carries different meanings and interpretations.
So, in order to help you have a better understanding let us have a look at and gain insights based off various cultural beliefs and traditions.
Native American cultures believed the dove to be a powerful protective omen, with the ability to ward off evil spirits. So, when one visits your home is a great sign of protection.
In Chinese cultures, the dove reminds us of the importance of relationships. Both romantic and platonic, they remind us of the importance of love, connections and bonds.
In Christianity, doves are seen as messengers from God and a sign of the Holy Spirit.
Buddhism holds the belief that the dove is a reminder to us to embody kindness and compassion throughout our everyday lives.
Ultimately, the meaning is up to you to decide.
Pay close attention to your thoughts, feelings, memories, energy and so on as your inner voice and intuition will reflect the truth.
Before you leave, read the spiritual meaning of bees landing and flying around you.
Final Words
God and the universe often try and communicate with us through different symbols and experiences. So, it is important that we are always open to receiving any messages and instructions that may be sent to us.
If you are truly looking for your own insight and understanding into what it means to see and be visited by a grey mourning dove, do not be afraid to ask the universe for answers as well as pray for clarity and guidance.
It was and has been a great experience with doves and their meaning, Regards.
I go for an early morning walk in a forest on mountains regularly. I’ve spotted one a few times. While I’m heading back from the walk, it walks in front of me on way and gets back into the Bush. Why didn’t fly away, a single time?