Flaming chalice

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The flaming chalice

A flaming chalice is the most widely used symbol of Unitarianism and Unitarian Universalism and the official logo of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and other Unitarian and UU churches and societies. The symbol had its origins in a logo designed by Austrian refugee Hans Deutsch for the Unitarian Service Committee (USC) (now the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee) during World War II. According to USC director Charles Joy, Deutsch took his inspiration from the chalices of oil burned on ancient Greek and Roman altars.

After 1941, the flaming chalice symbol spread throughout Unitarianism, and, following the consolidation with Universalism, the new Unitarian Universalism. The symbol gradually become more than a printed logo. By the 1960's, people like Fred Weidman of Dearborn, Michigan, were making flaming chalice jewelry. Some congregations began displaying the symbol in their worship spaces. At some point, three-dimensional chalices were made to be lit during worship services, but the origin(s) of this usage remains obscure.

The chalice symbol is often shown surrounded by two linked rings (see illustration). Two linked rings was used as an early symbol for the Unitarian Universalist Association, showing the joining of Unitarianism and Universalism. In August, 1962, the newsletter of the Midwestern Unitarian Universalist Association began using a chalice symbol drawn inside the two interlocking rings, as drawn by Betty King.

There is no orthodox interpretation of the flaming chalice symbol. In one interpretation, the chalice is a symbol of religion freed from the impositions of doctrine by a hierarchy and open to participation by all; the flame is interpreted as a memorial to those throughout history who sacrificed their lives for the cause of religious liberty. In another interpretation, the flaming chalice resembles a cross, symbolic of the Christian roots of Unitarian Universalism. [link].

Later, associations were made between this symbol and the Hussites. Czech religious reformer Jan Hus (1369-1415) read the Bible to his congregations in their native language, whereas the Catholic Church demanded that the Bible only be read in Latin. Also, the practice of the church at the time was that during communion, the chalice was reserved for the clergy, the laity only receiving bread. When a church council condemned the practice of some priests who were giving the chalice to their congregants, Hus refused to support the condemnation. After his execution by burning in 1415, Hus' followers adopted the "lay chalice" as an important symbol of their movement.

Some depictions of the chalice incorporate a pink triangle and/or rainbow to symbolize Unitarian Universalists' support of the LGBT community.

Many Unitarian Universalist congregations feature flaming chalice symbolism on their signs, logos, and in their meeting places. Some congregations light a chalice while saying opening words at the beginning of weekly worship services. The texts used during these "chalice lightings" vary. Here is one example:

We light this chalice

to remind ourselves

to treat all people kindly

because they are our brothers and sisters

to take good care of the earth,

because it is our home

and to try to live lives,

filled with goodness and love

because that is how we will become,

the best men and women we can be.

Here is another example:

We light this chalice

to celebrate Unitarian Universalism.

We are the church

of the open mind,

the loving hearts,

and the helping hands.

We care for the earth,

and work for peace and justice

in our time.

Outside of weekly worship services, many smaller gatherings of Unitarian Universalists incorporate a lit chalice, often accompanied by readings, as a symbol or reminder of the religious nature of the gathering. Individual Unitarian Universalists might display a flaming chalice on clothing, jewelry, their cars, or in their homes as a symbol of their faith, much as Christians might display a cross or Jews a Star of David.

In keeping with Unitarian Universalism's traditional religious pluralism and individualism, there is no requirement, doctrinal or otherwise, that congregations or adherents use or acknowledge the flaming chalice as a religious symbol.

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