What Does A Pair Of Turtle Doves Mean?

The song “The Twelve Days of Christmas” is a festive English carol that dates back to the late 1700s and recounts the twelve days following Christmas Day. Each day brings a new gift from a “true love” to the singer, with the gifts building in a repeating sequence. The first day of Christmas brings a partridge in a pear tree, the second brings “two turtle doves” and so on, leading up to twelve drummers drumming on the twelfth day.

The mention of turtle doves on the second day of Christmas is part of the song’s famously cumulative structure. But beyond being a lyrical relic, turtle doves hold significance in Christian symbolism and broader cultural traditions surrounding the twelve days of Christmas. Examining the history and meaning behind these birds provides insight into the full context of the classic carol.

History of Turtle Doves

Turtle doves have long been revered as a symbol of love, faithfulness, and sacredness across cultures and religions. In ancient Greek mythology, the turtle dove was considered a sacred bird to Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. It was believed that a pair of turtle doves would choose one partner for life, symbolizing lasting fidelity and monogamy. This led to the dove becoming an emblem of devoted romantic partnership.

In the Bible, turtle doves were an important part of religious rituals and sacrifices. In the Old Testament, two turtle doves were sacrificed by Joseph and Mary at the temple for the purification ritual after the birth of Jesus, as mentioned in the Gospel of Luke. The sacrifice of a pair of doves signified poverty, as well as God’s faithfulness and promise of hope. In the Song of Solomon, the voice of the turtle dove represents the arrival of spring and is an emblem of true and constant love between partners.

Throughout the Middle Ages in Europe, turtle doves were adopted widely as a symbol of steadfast love in marriage. Their depiction in folk songs, poems and artistic works reinforced this meaning. The lasting fidelity of turtle doves became proverbial, seen in poetry, Catholic and Christian iconography. They were sometimes used in wedding ceremonies as a public show of the couple’s commitment and devotion to one another. The cooing of their song came to represent an enduring, monogamous partnership.

Turtle Doves in the 12 Days of Christmas

In the popular Christmas carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas”, the gift on the second day is “two turtle doves”. The song dates back to at least the mid-18th century in England, though the specific meaning behind each gift, including the turtle doves, has been debated.

One common theory is that the turtle doves represent the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. This is supported by sources like The Meaning of the 12 Days of Christmas on Wilsonevergreens.com, which states “Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.” ¹ The turtle doves are seen as an emblem of faithfulness and love between God and his people.

Another theory is that the two turtle doves symbolize the sacrificial offering Mary and Joseph made at the temple when they brought the baby Jesus. As explained on Reddit’s AskHistorians forum, “So, as far as I can see it seems that the two turtle-doves in the song are an allusion to the two turtle-doves brought by Mary and Joseph to the Temple in Jerusalem.” ²

Regardless of the exact meaning, it’s clear the turtle doves represent love, faithfulness and sacrifice in the context of this classic Christmas song.

Turtle Doves in the Bible

Turtle doves have a long history of symbolism stemming from the Bible. In the Old Testament, turtle doves were among the animals considered “pure” and acceptable for sacrifice. After giving birth, Mary sacrificed two turtle doves or young pigeons at the temple in Jerusalem as an offering of purification, as described in the Gospel of Luke.

The sacrificial nature of turtle doves gave them an association with peace and new beginnings. By sacrificing a turtle dove, one was giving a gift to God in repentance and gratitude. The turtle dove sacrifice was considered an important part of ritual purification and atonement.

Beyond their mention in key biblical scenes, turtle doves are referenced over a dozen times in the Bible. Their cooing song is noted in the Song of Songs as a sign of spring. Overall, the biblical significance of the turtle dove established it as a symbol of devotion, sacrifice, and peace.

Turtle Doves in the 12 Days of Christmas

The lyric “two turtle doves” from the popular Christmas carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas” refers to a pair of turtle doves specifically representing faithful love or affection between two people. The turtle dove is known for mating for life and never taking a new partner if one dies. Because of this, two turtle doves in the song symbolize the bond between the singer and their true love. On the second day of Christmas, the singer is professing their undying devotion and loyalty by saying their true love has given them not just one, but two turtle doves – an extra dove so they can remain a mated pair forever.

This romantic symbolism dates back centuries to when turtle doves were more populous across Europe and seen by many cultures as a representation of enduring love due to their monogamous breeding habits. The tradition of giving gifts for each of the twelve days of Christmas may also relate to hope for twelve happy months in the coming year. So a pair of turtle doves hopes for a loving relationship that lasts all year long.

Turtle Dove Appearance and Behavior

Physical Appearance: The turtle dove is a small bird with a round body, a small head with dark eyes, a short thin beak, short legs and a long tail. They are 12 to 14 inches long with a wingspan of 21-24 inches. They have tan, grey and black feathers and a dark patch on the neck with a lighter collar. The female dove is similar in appearance to the male but paler in color.

Mating & Nesting: Turtle dove pairs mate for life. They build loose nests out of twigs, grasses and evergreen needles in trees or bushes. The female lays 1-3 eggs which both parents incubate for 14-18 days until hatching. Both parents also feed the chicks a diet of seeds until they fledge in 15-19 days. Turtle doves typically have 2-3 broods per mating season from April to September. (1)

Migration: European turtle doves are migratory birds. They spend the breeding season in Europe between April and September. In the fall, they migrate south to sub-Saharan Africa to overwinter. Their migration routes span across Europe and the Mediterranean. Recently, their migratory patterns have been shifting due to climate change. (2)

Behavior: Turtle doves are wary, solitary birds when not breeding. They spend most of their time on the ground foraging for seeds and grains but roost and nest in trees and bushes. They can be seen singly or in small flocks. Despite their name, turtle doves are weak fliers and only make low, brief flights between cover and feeding areas. (3)

Turtle Dove Population Decline

Turtle dove populations have experienced alarming declines across Europe since the 1970s. According to Operation Turtle Dove, their numbers in the UK have plummeted by an estimated 99% since their peak in the late 1960s. The main reasons for this decline are habitat loss and deterioration due to intensive agriculture and legal and illegal killing. Turtle doves require a mosaic of habitats including cereal fields with weed seeds, hedgerows, and scrubland, but modern farming practices have reduced suitable habitats.

Conservation groups like BirdLife International have called for urgent action to protect turtle doves and reverse their population declines. Efforts include habitat restoration, reducing pesticide use, changing mowing and harvesting times, and stopping illegal hunting. An EU-wide hunting ban enacted in 2021-2023 is expected to save many turtle dove lives. More habitat-focused agri-environment schemes, predator control, and supplementary feeding programs may also aid recovering populations.

Symbolism and Significance Today

Turtle doves are still a symbol of faithful love and devotion today. This is likely due to their monogamous mating habits and the fact that they tend to mate for life. In many cultures, turtle doves represent peace, hope and prosperity.

In modern Christianity, the turtle dove is sometimes used as a symbol of devotion to God and to Jesus Christ. They may represent the peace and hope that faith provides. Seeing a turtle dove can be interpreted as a sign of God’s love and sacrifice.

The turtle dove also retains symbolic meaning in relationships and friendships today. Giving a pair of turtle doves can represent loyalty and lasting affection. The turtle dove reminds us to be faithful, nurture our relationships, and find comfort in those we love.

Overall, turtle doves continue to be meaningful across faiths and cultures. Their graceful appearance and gentle cooing still inspires people today to be loving, peaceful and hopeful. The turtle dove endures as a universal symbol of devotion.

Use in Other Cultural Works

Turtle doves have been referenced in various songs, movies, artworks and other cultural mediums over the years. Here are some examples:

The turtle dove is mentioned in the classic Christmas song “The Twelve Days of Christmas”, as the gift on the second day. “Two turtle doves” represents love and faithfulness (Operation Turtle Dove).

William Shakespeare referenced turtle doves in several of his works including Romeo and Juliet, Merry Wives of Windsor, and Venus and Adonis. The turtle dove represented love and romance in Shakespearean times (Folger Shakespeare Library).

The 1961 song “We Shall Overcome” mentions turtle doves: “We’ll walk hand in hand/like turtle doves”. This references their loyal partnership.

Movies featuring turtle doves include Mary Poppins (1964) and Kes (1969), highlighting their symbolism of devotion and innocence.

Famous paintings of turtle doves include Picasso’s La Colombe, Matisse’s The Turtle Dove, and Hunt’s A Pair of Turtle Doves.

Conclusion

The tradition of turtle doves as a gift on the second day of Christmas dates back centuries, originating from medieval England. Though their mention in the classic carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas” popularized turtle doves, they held significance throughout European culture for their loyalty and as a symbol of love. While turtle dove populations have declined drastically in modern times, the birds remain an icon of devoted affection. Their inclusion in the Twelve Days of Christmas reminds us of cherished holiday customs and meaningful gifts that don’t have to be expensive or elaborate. For many, two turtle doves still represent the simple joy of true friendship.