flaming chaliceOur UUCS congregation kindles a flaming chalice in gatherings and worships, and features the chalice symbol prominently in our publications, correspondence, website, and banners. 

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.

Our current UUCS logo uses a flaming chalice image debuted by the UUA in 2014, which offers a visual representation of a modern and dynamic faith. Unitarian Universalist congregations are free to use UUA’s flaming chalice in our congregational work, but we are not required to do so. Because of this, you may see many different styles of flaming chalices and other images used by Unitarian Universalist congregations throughout the world.