Meet Our Doves

Some of you may not be aware that our fourteen symbolic doves of peace are all female. This is because the nurturing, caring and creative aspect of life on Earth is often perceived as female or feminine.

Interestingly, within many faith traditions, the Holy Spirit of the Divine is perceived as female. In the Hindu tradition, the Shakti is a divine cosmic energy that represents feminine energy and the dynamic forces that move through the universe. In Earth Religion traditions, it is the feminine that inspires the creative force of the masculine.  In Tibetan Buddhism, Dakinis or Khandros are female and provide the link with the deepest strata of the spiritual realms.  Without the support of the Khandros, Tibetan Lamas are unable to carry out their spiritual practices successfully. In Jewish and Christian theology the Shechinah (glory of the divine presence) is conventionally represented as light or interpreted symbolically (in Kabbalism) as a divine feminine aspect. The Shechinah is the presence and glory of God that filled the tabernacle. (Exodus 40:34).

Much has been said about the imbalance of power in our world and that women need to take a more active part in leadership.  His Holiness the Dalai Lama has said, “The world will be saved by the Western woman.” Desmond Tutu has stated, “If we are going to see real development in the world, then our best investment is women.” Abdu’l – Baha (son of Bahá’u’lláh, founder of the Baha’i faith) said, “The new age will be an age less masculine and more permeated with the feminine ideals.”

So now you know why our doves are all female.

Since their launch in 2015, the doves have travelled far and wide across our world, carrying with them our message of love, compassion and friendship. Each one of them has now been named, some by schools and others by sponsors/guardians from a variety of faith traditions. Many of the doves have also been consecrated and blessed by Christian priests, bishops, archbishops, Pagan priestesses, Buddhist monks, a Bon master, a Sufi Grand Sheikh, a Hindu swami, and a Jain guru.

These are the names of our doves:

Dove 1 was named Liberty by Cheryl Sullivan of Bridgend, South Wales. This dove is currently with our Native American friends Laurie and Mark in Auburn, Washington, USA.

Dove 2 was named and consecrated Hathor-Nefret (meaning Beauty of Hathor, Egyptian Goddess of love and Mother of Light), by Pagan Priestess and Egyptologist Olivia Church. This dove is currently with the pupils of Priory Church in Wales Primary School, Brecon, South Wales.

Dove 3 was named Elska (Icelandic for ‘love’) by Hafod Primary School, Swansea, when the headteacher and staff were visiting Iceland. The dove has recently visited Wallacedene Township, Cape Town, South Africa. The dove is currently with the pupils of this school in Swansea.

Dove 4 was named Lalasa (Hindi for ‘love’) by the pupils of Central Primary School in Port Talbot, South Wales. She has travelled with staff to Helsinki and Kuopio in Finland, and she has now returned to the school.

Dove 5 was named and consecrated Hedd (shortened form for ‘peace’ in Welsh) by Erin Kavanagh, Peace Mala’s official Earth Religion representative since the launch of the project. Hedd has travelled extensively with Erin, and is currently back in the Lampeter area in Wales.

Dove 6 was named Ashiana (a name which stands for refuge or shelter, it also means ‘home away from home’, or ‘a beautiful home of love and friendship’) by Community House in Newport, South Wales. She recently returned to HQ from the Women’s Institute in Malpas, near Newport South Wales and is currently flying to Dohar in Qatar.  From there she will fly to Ho Chi Min City in Vietnam.

Dove 7 was named Shanti (Sanskrit for ‘peace’, ‘rest’, ‘calmness’, ‘tranquility’ or ‘bliss’) by Cynthia and Atma Trasi, who live near Bradford. Shanti is currently in Luxor, Egypt.

Dove 8 as named Shaloma (the feminine version of Shalom, Hebrew for ‘peace’, ‘truth’ and ‘justice’, denoting wholeness or completeness) by Norma Glass MBE of the Orthodox Jewish community of Swansea. She has recently returned from Lanzarote and is now at HQ awaiting a new sponsor/guardian.

Dove 9 was named Inaya Noor (Inaya is an Arabic name meaning ‘solitude’, ‘kindness’ and ‘grace’. It is also linked with help, care and protection. Noor is an Arabic name meaning ‘light’. In Punjabi it is a girl’s name meaning ‘The Divine Light’) by St Agnes’ CE Primary School in Manchester. This dove has travelled to Lahore in Pakistan, with the Diocesan Director of Education, and is currently back with the pupils and St Agnes.

Dove 10 was named Cariad (Welsh for ‘love’) by Mary Myfanwy Thomas, native of New Zealand but Welsh roots. In the last year, this dove has travelled the furthest, with Mary and her husband Les, the journey has been astonishing. The dove is now with them in Tauranga, New Zealand.

Dove 11 was named Raina (Bulgarian for ‘peace’) by the pupils of Cadle Primary School in Swansea. She has recently visited Paris, and is now on her way to Bath.

Dove 12 was named and consecrated Ffraidd o’r Enfys (Welsh for Brigid of the Rainbow) by a druidic group from South Wales during a ceremony at Arthur’s Stone (also known as Maen Ceti) on the Gower Peninsula. She is currently with Master Wizard Fiona James in Pontyclun, South Wales.

Dove 13 was named Tangnefydd (Welsh for ‘the peace of God’) by Pam Evans, founder of Peace Mala. This dove has made astonishing journeys to many parts of the world, and has been blessed by several faith leaders. She is currently resting at HQ.

Dove 14 was named Heiwa (Japanese for ‘peace’ or ‘harmony’) and was last seen at Rendaiji Shingon Buddhist Temple in Japan.

To find out more about our Dove of Peace and how to sponsor, and travel with a Dove please follow this link or contact us!

http://www.peacemala.org.uk/our-symbolic-doves-of-peace.php

 

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