Unity Center
 2041 Old Fanning Bridge Road, Mills River NC  28759
(828) 891-8700, 684-3798
Email: unity(at)unitync.net

The Wings Symbol & Fast Facts about Unity

About The Unity Wings

The Unity wings symbol, the winged globe, appears in many Unity publications. This ancient symbol has been re-created in many variations, from the older pen and ink drawing you see above, to wood carvings, stained glass, and modernized drawings. 

Charles Fillmore, co-founder of Unity, adopted this artistic creation as a Christian symbol as early as 1891 in the first issue of Unity Magazine. In 1923 he gave this explanation of the Unity wings: 

"The winged globe or sun disc...represents the relation existing between Spirit, soul and body. Soul (the wings) gives wings to the body (the disc). Spirit is the (invisible) enveloping Principle, like the atmosphere in which both soul and body exist, and from which they draw their original inspiration."

~ Charles Fillmore, in Unity magazine, April 1923.

In 1956, he further explained the symbolism of the winged globe this way:

It is an ancient Egyptian symbol, but it is found in various forms in the religions of other races. It represents the relation existing between Spirit, soul, and body. Soul gives wings to body. Spirit is the enveloping principle, like the atmosphere in which both soul and body exist, and from which they draw their original inspiration.

The winged globe is also a symbol of the earth and its soul. The earth has soul, as have its products of every description. All exist in the ether, the anima mundi, the divine mother. When people of the earth lift up their thoughts to God, and the Animus Dei or directive Spirit, then the planet takes wings into a higher radiation of universal life.

As man develops spiritual consciousness, he attains the realization of the soul as the wings of the body. Back of the Soul is Spirit, which quickens and energizes the soul; that is, gives the soul wings. Artists paint their angels with wings representing in this way their freedom from physical fetters. But the soul does not have wings like a bird. The life activity of the soul is quickened by Spirit until it rises above the thought of matter and floats free in the ether of the fourth dimension, which Jesus called the kingdom of the heavens.

"The seagull flying in the center circle symbolizes the lifting of the spirit of humankind in freedom, forever enfolded within the infinite circle of God's eternal love."

These stained glass wings hang over the doors to our chapel:

This stained glass is part of a rock fountain in our entryway:

• Fast Facts about Unity
  • The Unity movement was co-founded by Charles and Myrtle Fillmore in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1889.
  • Unity Worldwide Ministries is a religious, educational organization based on the teachings of Jesus Christ.
  • Unity Worldwide Ministries is the world headquarters of the Unity movement. We welcome all people, regardless of religious background, and serve their spiritual needs through prayer, publishing, and education.
  • Unity's world headquarters is located at Unity Village, Missouri, a 1,400-acre incorporated municipality 15 miles southeast of Kansas City, MO.
  • Unity mails approximately 34 million pieces of mail each year, including braille materials.
  • Unity employs a staff of more than 700 at its headquarters.

  Silent Unity Prayer Ministry

  • The Silent Unity Prayer Ministry ~ "the light that shines for you" ~ offers confidential prayer support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year... continuous prayer for over 100 years!
  • The Unity approach to prayer is affirmative, based on positive prayers and affirmations that have universal, interfaith appeal.
  • Silent Unity: The Light That Shines for You" - a light shines in Silent Unity 24 hours a day, representing the spiritual light generated by thousands of voices who join in speaking words of faith and blessing. It is a light lit by hearts and minds united in the love of God.
  • Silent Unity receives nearly one million letters and 1.5 million telephone calls for prayer annually.
  • Currently, 200 dedicated & well-trained prayer associates answer 4,000 calls every day  with this greeting: “Silent Unity, How may we pray with you?”

  Education Ministry

  • Unity Institute provides a 24-month Ministerial Education Program for ministerial candidates, leading to ordination. 
  • Unity offers numerous sessions of adult curriculum annually through its SEE Spiritual Education & Enrichment program.  Classes are taught for credit at Unity Village, online, and in local churches.
  • Unity trains lay leaders in its Licensed Unity Teacher program.
  • At least 12 Retreats for adults are offered throughout the year. Spanish-language retreats are also offered.

  Publishing Ministry

  • Unity operates one of the largest religious publishing houses in the Midwest.
  • Unity publishes two periodicals - Daily Word daily devotionals and Unity magazine - along with pamphlets, books, and audio-visual products to help people in their daily lives.