"At the opening of Unitarian Universalist worship services, many congregations light a flame inside a CHALICE.. This flaming chalice has become a well-known symbol of its denomination. The flame and the chalice were brought together by an Austrian artist, Hans Deutsch, in 1941. Living in Paris during the 1930's, Deutsch drew critical cartoons of Adolf Hitler. When the Nazis invaded Paris in 1940 he abandoned all he had and fled. Deutsch was asked by the Unitarian Service Committee to design a symbol to make false documents look official for those people who escaped and were fleeing overrun countries at the time. The flaming chalice design was made into a seal for papers and a badge for agents moving refugees to freedom. In time it became a symbol of Unitarian Universalism all around the world for new truths that pass the tests of reason, justice, and compassion." (Credit: Brochure: The Flaming Chalice, by Daniel D. Hotchkiss)
This flaming chalice stands in the sanctuary of Unity Unitarian Church on Grotto Avenue in St. Paul, MN.
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il est original ce bougeoir et assez beau
ReplyDeleteHow interesting, the history of the symbol!
ReplyDeleteso interesting.
ReplyDeleteI love the design. And the history is really interesting too. Thanks for sharing this!!!
ReplyDeleteInteresting, and also quite stylish!
ReplyDeleteI've seen this symbol before but, now I know the history. Thank you for that. This one is lovely.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post and photo!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I have seen the symbol before, but now I have and now I know what it means. Thanks for the education.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the history of the chalice symbol. The UUs around here use this too.
ReplyDeleteCheryl
ABC Team
I didn't know this. I know a lot of UU people, most of them disaffected from other denominations and faiths.
ReplyDeleteROG, ABC Wednesday team
A good work in any sense and a beautiful symbol.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful piece of work. I like the philosophy behind it, too.
ReplyDeleteAlways did think highly of the Unitarians! But I never knew this story. Thank you so much for the photo and the commentary. Incredibly interesting!
ReplyDeleteMost intereseting! And love the creative shape of this symbol! Beautiful photo!
ReplyDeleteThe chalice is lovely! I like it very much and the story of the seal is inspirational.
ReplyDeleteA strong and beautiful plus consciousness-raising contribution to ABC Wednesday. I knew neither the flaming chalice nor its history.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
HelenMac, ABC Team