A Symbolic Interpretation of the UD Seal
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As an alumnus from the Master of Theological Studies program in 2004 and a lifelong University of Dallas student, I often attend Mass at the Church of the Incarnation. I am fascinated by the geometric symbol, taken from the official Seal of the University of Dallas, apparent on every pew and the altar cloth.
In the seal’s circle, which encloses two Trinities, I see a symbol of the marriage of divinity and humanity.
I see the three straight lines as a geometric symbol of the three Divine Persons in the Godhead; each Divine Person is straight and simple. Each Person continues infinitely with no beginning or end, but we only see segments and common points of intersection within the circle of creation.
I imagine the top horizontal line segment as a representation of God the Father, the Source or Origin.
From the two points of intersection – where the top horizontal line segment meets the circle of creation – the Holy Spirit and the Son both descend at angles to meet at the bottom of the circle.
All three straight line segments are of equal length, forming an equilateral triangle to represent the equality of the Persons in the Divine Trinity.
The three curved lines represent both Jesus’ human nature, as well as two human persons, distinct from the divine Persons. Unlike the divine Persons, human persons are not straight and simple, but are instead both material and spiritual.However, these three curved line segments may symbolically represent human perfection in the Holy Family of Nazareth, the earthly, or human, Trinity.
In the Holy Family of Nazareth, we see the fulfillment, perfection and completion of Genesis, the “image of God according to His Likeness.”Joseph and Mary, mother and “foster” father of the Word Incarnate, “are one” – perfecting and completing Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:5, Mark 10:8 and Ephesians 5:31.
Two of the curved line segments descend from the same point at the top of the outer circle. Imagine these two curved segments as representations of St. Joseph and his immaculate virgin wife, Mary.
These two curved segments form complementary partial circles and intersect with points on the lower portion of the outer circle, geometrically representing the male and female unity of husband and wife.
A third curved line segment, geometrically representing the humanity of the Word of God, joins the two points of intersection on the lower portion of the outer circle, completing the triquetra within the circle and completing the symbol of the unified divine and human families.
Marriage and amily are under attack as never before, yet, “where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more.” Today the Holy Spirit is making Joseph known in order for us to see the marriage of divinity and humanity in the Holy Family of Nazareth, to see them as the icon of the divine, uncreated Trinity.
Mark Drogin received his Master of Theological Studies from UD in 2004. Several of his grandchildren have attended or currently attend UD.