Search: why are trophies shaped like cups
Why: In the "Family Guy" episode "Love Thy Trophy," the Spooner St. gang wins a Golden Clam. That got me thinking about the Stanley Cup, the World Cup, the Geller Cup, etc.
Answer: This guy found this information:
- John Wesley (founder of the Methodist Church) hosted a ritual "love feast" for church members. Superficially similar to Holy Communion, the community gathering was a simple meal of bread and water led by laypeople (rather than clergy). A large "loving cup" was created with two handles so water could easily be passed from person to person.
- Ian Pickford (from "Antiques Roadshow") suggests that the modern trophy cup was based on a two-handled "ox-eye" college cup design in the 17th century. But where did that come from?
- In the Panathenaic Games in 566 BC, one prize for special events was an amphora - a ceramic vase with two handles and a long neck - filled with oil. Among the Ancient Greeks and Romans, they were the principal means for transporting and storing grapes, olive oil, wine, olives, and grains.
The More You Know: Some Panathenaic amphorae have survived. They depicted Athena Promachos; goddess of war advancing between columns brandishing a spear and wearing the aegis. Next to her is the inscription τον αθενεθεν αθλον "(one) of the prizes from Athens." On the back of each vase was a representation of the event for which it was an award.
The chalice or the cup is the symbol of Christ's victory over Evil. It is the ultimate victory. Western civilization has been shaped by Christianity root and branch. Possibly, the gift of a cup symbolizes victory, and a reminder to the recipient to be humble in victory as Jesus was.
ReplyDeleteFurther, at Wimbledon, the winner gets the cup, while runner-up gets a shield, or a plate.
ReplyDeleteBread on the plate, and wine in the cup.
I too find this very strange. As far as I know, the cup as a symbol for victory is peculiar to the West ie Christendom.