What is the story behind doves in sand dollars?

Actually, the "doves" are the sand dollar's teeth. ​ ​All sorts of Christian imagery has been extrapolated onto features of the sand dollar. The following (unattributed) poem is often included with souvenir sand dollars in gift shops: The legend of the Sand dollar. That I would like to tell. read more

The five "doves" referred to in the story are actually remnants of the sand dollar's five "teeth". When alive, sand dollars are covered in short black spines as well as tube feet. To feed, the sand dollars trap food in mucus between these short spines. The food is transported to the mouth (on the underside) by tracts of cilia. read more

The sand dollar always has five doves inside Finally, if you break open the sand dollar, five "doves" emerge – the doves of the Peace and Joy of Christmas. There are always five doves every time you open one. read more