kielich

Kielich is a Polish term with several related senses. Broadly, it denotes a cup or goblet, often with a stem and base, used for drinking. In botanical contexts, kielich designates the calyx, the outer floral envelope formed by the sepals, which protects the developing bud and supports the flower.

The word derives from Latin calix “cup, goblet” and entered Polish in the medieval period, usually through the form kielich. It has cognates in other Slavic languages and has acquired specialized meanings in religious and scientific vocabularies.

In Christianity, especially in Catholic, Orthodox, and some Protestant traditions, the kielich refers to the liturgical chalice, the sacred cup that holds wine during the Eucharist. Chalices are typically made of metal and may be ornamented; they are used together with a paten and other vessels in the rite, and the wine may be consecrated as part of the sacrament.

The botanical use of kielich (calyx) is distinct from its ceremonial sense. The calyx is the part of the flower that encases and protects the bud, usually green, but it can be colored or persistent in some species. It often remains around the fruit or blossoms after the petals have fallen.

Culturally, kielich can also appear in metaphorical or symbolic contexts, such as references to the Holy Grail in literature and art, or, more generally, to a trophy or prize shaped like a cup in sports and competitions.