A chalice (from Latin calix, mug, borrowed from Greek kalyx, shell, husk) is a goblet or footed cup intended to hold a drink. In religious practice, a chalice is often used for drinking during a ceremony or may carry a certain symbolic meaning.
The ancient Roman calix was a drinking vessel consisting of a bowl fixed atop a stand, and was in common use at banquets. In Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglicanism, Lutheranism and some other Christian denominations, a chalice is a standing cup used to hold sacramental wine during the Eucharist (also called the Lord's Supper or Holy Communion). Chalices are often made of precious metal, and they are sometimes richly enameled and jeweled. The gold goblet was symbolic for family and tradition. Read more...
In Christian iconography, the grape vine or vineyard frequently appears in scripture:
In the Bible, grapes are first mentioned when Noah grows them on his farm (Genesis 9:20–21).
Instructions concerning wine are given in the book of Proverbs and in the book of Isaiah, such as in Proverbs 20:1 and Isaiah 5:20–25.
Deuteronomy 18:3–5,14:22–27,16:13–15 tell of the use of wine during Jewish feasts.
The parable of the kingdom of heaven likened to the father
starting to engage laborers for his vineyard. Matthew 20:1-16
The vine is used as symbol
of Jesus Christ based on his own statement, “I am the vine.” John 15:5
The vine as symbol of the chosen people is employed several times in the Old Testament. Joel 1:7, Isaiah 5:1-7, Psalms 80:8-11
The vine and wheat ear have been frequently used as symbol of the blood and flesh of Christ, hence figuring as symbols (bread and wine) of the Eucharist/Communion. Luke 22:15
A simple pattern of grapes and one large leaf.
Scripture References for Grape Chrismons:
"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:5 (KJB)
"And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer." Luke 22:15 (ESV)
"So Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of
the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within
you. But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day.For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me.I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this
bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the
manna) but will live forever."John 6:53-58 (NLT)
More About Symbolism of Grapes, Wine and Vineyards:
In the Bible, sheaves of wheat are symbolic for the
maturing of love or the development of charity.
A sheaf is a bundle of cereal plant stems bound together after harvesting, or reaping. The sheaves are bound using the stem material and are stacked together in a stook
with the stems vertical and the seed heads aligned; this keeps the
heads off the ground, allows the grain to dry, discourages vermin, makes
the crop easier to pick up and is convenient for winnowing or threshing. Reaping is the cutting of grain or pulse for harvest, typically using a scythe or sickle. Grass for hay was also sheaved and stacked to dry in the field in this way but is now usually mechanically windrowed and baled.
Sheaves as apposed to singular stalks imply groups, tribes or churches. Singular stalk Chrismons usually are references to the Holy Communion. Just as the sheaves of wheat represented not only Joseph's brothers but their tribes as well in Genesis, so do sheave imagery represent entire groups of faithful believers as apposed to one single, individual believer.
Scripture References for Sheaves of Wheat Chrismon:
"For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, behold, my sheaf
arose and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round
about and made obeisance to my sheaf. " Genesis 37:7 (Jubilee Bible 2000)
"Thy navel is like a round goblet, which wanteth not liquor: thy belly is like an heap of wheat set about with lilies." Song of Solomon 7:2 (KJV)
""Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. When you enter
the land I am giving you and you harvest its first crops, bring the
priest a bundle of grain from the first cutting of your grain harvest.On the day after the Sabbath, the priest will lift it up before the LORD so it may be accepted on your behalf." Leviticus 23:10-11 (NLT)
"But now Christ has been raised out from the dead, the firstfruit of those having fallen asleep. " 1 Corinthians 15:20 (BLB)
"And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field." Exodus 23:16 (KJV)
Pictured with this wheat are tools for the harvest.
An Italian example of the twelfth century. It is noticeable for the Patriachal Cross to which the banner is attached, as well as for the Chalice which receives the Blood of the Covenant. This pattern would make a lovely embroidery or woodcut pattern for the Chrismon tree.
In the Mass of the Roman Rite and also in the Eucharist of the Anglican Communion, the Lutheran Church, and the Western Rite of the Orthodox Church the Agnus Dei is the invocation to the Lamb of God sung or recited during the fraction of the Host.
Based upon John the Baptist's reference in John 1:29 to Jesus ("Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world"), the text in Latin is:
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem.
which means:
Lamb of God, you who take away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
Lamb of God, you who take away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
Lamb of God, you who take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
Scripture References for The Agnus Dei Chrismon:
"They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of
their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from
death." Revelation 12:11 (NIV)
"The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" John 1:29 (ESV)
"These will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them
because He is Lord of lords and King of kings. Those with Him are
called, chosen, and faithful." Revelation 17:14 (KJB)
"For the soul (or life) of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it
to you to reconcile your persons (or souls) upon the altar; therefore
the same blood reconciles the person." Leviticus 17:11 (Jubilee Bible 2000)
"The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when
I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to
destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt." Exodus 12:13 (NASB)
"In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified
with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness." Hebrews 9:22(NLT)
