Our Symbol: The Flaming Chalice

A flame within a chalice (a cup with a stem and foot) is a primary symbol of the Unitarian Universalist faith tradition. 

Hans Deutsch, an Austrian artist, first brought together the chalice and the flame as a Unitarian symbol during his work with the Unitarian Service Committee during World War II. To Deutsch, the image had connotations of sacrifice and love. Unitarian Universalists today have many different interpretations of the flaming chalice, including the light of reason, the warmth of community, and the flame of hope.

At UUWaco, our congregation lights and extinguishes a flaming chalice at the beginning and end of gatherings and worship services to create a reverent space for worship, meditation, prayer, and music. 

We recite the following words as we light the chalice:

We light this chalice to celebrate Unitarian Universalism.

This is the church of the open mind.

This is the church of the helping hands.

This is the church of the loving heart.

And these are the words we say as we extinguish our chalice:

We extinguish this flame, but not the light of truth,                                                                                              

the warmth of community, or the fire of commitment. 

These we carry in our hearts until we join together again.