In the Genesis story of Noah’s Ark, the dove returned with a freshly plucked olive leaf.
Genesis 8 records Noah sending birds from the ark to discover whether the floodwaters had receded. A raven is sent first, followed by a dove. The dove initially finds nowhere to rest, but on a later flight it returns carrying an olive leaf, showing Noah that the waters have gone down. A final release of the dove produces no return, indicating that the bird can remain outside.
The olive leaf is therefore a specific detail in the biblical narrative, not merely a general symbol added by later artists. The scene became an internationally recognized image of peace and renewed life, especially through later religious art and popular culture.
The passage does not say that the dove brought an entire olive branch. Its wording refers to a leaf, often translated as a freshly plucked olive leaf. The distinction explains why translations and illustrations can differ slightly while pointing to the same episode.