At our Baptism we receive the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11:2-3). When, through faithful practice, we allow these Gifts to become established habits, we will see the Nine Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) budding forth in our lives.

The Fruit of Charity is expressed by our unselfish devotion and care for God and our neighbor. It is self-giving and does not ask for anything in return.

The Bleeding Heart Dove and bleeding heart flowers exhibit the compassion of charity. The sweetness of the fig tree suggests the sweetness of charity. St. Anthony of Padua used the fig tree as an example of love and mercy, the combination of which he called fraternal charity. The wallflower, in Greek myth, was a symbol of divine love. One variety of wallflower is named charity.

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Mindanao Bleeding Heart Dove: Gallicolumba crinigera, Range: the Philippines

The Fruit of Joy is obtained when we recognize that true happiness comes not from material things, but from knowing and following Christ.

The Laughing Dove reminds us of the outward expression of joy. Lemons, because of their zest, imply joy. The ancient Druids saw wood sorrel as a symbol of joy. St. Hildegard of Bingen in her 12th century herbal recommended the geranium as an antidote to sadness. The frog is a symbol of transformation and its resulting joy. The final movement of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony “Ode to Joy,” based on the poem by Friedrich Schiller, is one of the most beloved pieces of music ever written.

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Laughing Dove: Spilopelia senegalensis, Range: Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, western India

The Fruit of Peace frees us from worry over trivialities and allows us to come together in harmony and unity.

The dove, specifically the Peaceful Dove here, and the olive branch are well-known symbols of peace. In classical mythology, Iris was the divine messenger and the goddess of the rainbow. In Christianity the rainbow is a sign of peace. Therefore the iris flower symbolizes Christ as the messenger of God who brings peace to the earth. The blue sapphire gem, represented here by the sapphire showers flower, indicates peace of mind.

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Peaceful Dove: Geopelia placida, Range: Australia and New Guinea

The Fruit of Patience helps us to treat others with thoughtfulness and tolerance.

Blue is the color associated with patience, worn here by the Blue-headed Quail Dove. Due to its hard shell, the almond represents patience and endurance. In Christian symbolism, the elephant—suggested by the elephant ear plant—is an icon of temperance, patience, and chastity. The luna moth stands in for the moon which is a symbol of patience because of its long journey around the earth each month. The ox eye daisy reminds us of the industrious and patient beast of burden, the ox.

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Blue-headed Quail Dove: Starnoenas cyanocephala, Range: Cuba

The Fruit of Kindness is the active expression of mercy and helpful service to others.

The Golden Heart Dove suggests compassion. The pineapple is a popular symbol of hospitality and welcome. The deer, represented by the deer tongue plant, is a symbol of kindness in Native American lore. The plant is also used by herbalists for its soothing properties. The candle plant brings to mind lighted candles: in giving light the candle is consumed in the same way as a kind person wears himself out in service to others.

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Golden-heart Dove: Gallicolumba rufigula, Range: West Papua, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

The Fruit of Goodness prompts us to seek to do good to everyone and to do what we know is right.

The Jambu Fruit Dove reminds us that “by the fruits of their labors shall you know them.” (Matt. 7:16) The cherry represents the sweetness of good works, while the marigold flower is a symbol of good works renewed. The amaranthus caudarus flower is a symbol of virtue because its deep red color never fades in the same way that time does not diminish virtuous action.

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Jambu Fruit Dove: Ptilinopus jambu, Range: southern Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei and the Indonesian islands of Kalimantan, Sumatra and Java

The Fruit of Faithfulness helps us to live out our commitment to the teachings of Christ and the Scriptures.

Because Ring-necked Turtle Doves have a reputation of having one mate for life, they are a symbol of devotion. The plum, a domestic fruit, represents fidelity. The periwinkle became a sign of fidelity and friendship because its Latin name (vinca) has the same root as the verb “to tie” (vincire). The ivy plant, which must cling to a host plant, reminds us of attachment and fidelity. The border pattern is a variation of the Tibetan “endless knot” pattern which signifies faithfulness.

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Ring-Necked Turtle Dove: Streptopelia capicola, Range: Southern half of Africa

The Fruit of Gentleness combines the virtues of humility and consideration toward others.

The Mourning Dove’s tender call reflects the fruit of gentleness. The gentle lamb is represented by the lamb’s ear plant. In the language of Victorian flowers, the daisy brings a message of innocence and purity. Among the many symbolic meanings of the strawberry plant are modesty, humility, and purity.

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Mourning Dove: Zenaida macroura, Range: the Greater Antilles, most of Mexico, the Continental United States, and southern Canada

The Fruit of Self-Control gives us mastery over our desires and passions so that emotion does not overthrow reason.

The metal silver, represented by the Silvery Dove, is symbolic of purity and singleness of purpose. According the medieval lore, the nut of the beech tree feeds the hungry when nothing else is available and thus symbolizes abstinence, the virtue that applies to those who eat little rather than satisfy carnal avidity with rich banquets. In West African symbolism, the horn of the ram—represented here by the ram’s horn plant—indicates strength of mind. The lion’s tail plant stands in for the lion, an animal known for its strength and self-control.

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Silvery Dove: Columba argentina, Range: Small islands near Borneo, Sumatra and neighboring areas