How does a dove represent the holy spirit?

Luke says, “And the Holy Spirit came down in a bodily shape, like a dove on Him.” Because the Holy Spirit is just that—spirit—He is not visible to us. On this occasion, however, the Spirit took on a visible appearance and was doubtless seen by the people. read more

All four gospels describe the Holy Spirit as descending “like a dove” on Jesus at His baptism. The only other instance of the Spirit appearing in the figure of a bird, is Genesis 1:2, where we read He was hovering / brooding over the face of the waters. read more

The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Triune God and is both eternal and present at all places at all times. Though no symbol can completely represent the Spirit, the dove and other earthly images are often used to represent aspects of God's Spirit instructive for our lives. read more