A Description of the Cards

The U-U Deck of Cards was created for several purposes:

• to honor the seven UU Principles.

• to honor the six UU Sources.

• to honor many of the world's religions.

• as an aid to meditation and contemplation.

• as an enjoyable game for 2-6 people.

The Seven UU Principles

Each of the seven UU Principles is represented by a number and a color of the rainbow:

• Principle No. 1 (Red)

  • The inherent worth and dignity of every person.

• Principle No. 2 (Orange)

  • Justice, equity and compassion in human relations.

• Principle No. 3 (Yellow)

  • Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth.

• Principle No. 4 (Green)

  • A free and responsible search for truth and meaning.

• Principle No. 5 (Blue)

  • The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process.

• Principle No. 6 (Indigo)

  • The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all.

• Principle No. 7 (Violet)

  • Respect for the interdependent web of all existence.

The Six UU Sources

Each of the six UU Sources is represented by an image which are the six suits of the cards.

• Source No. 1 (Rose)

  • Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life.

• Source No. 2 (Heart)

  • Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion and the transforming power of love.

• Source No. 3 (Elephant)

  • Wisdom from the world’s religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life.

• Source No. 4 (Scroll)

  • Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God’s love by loving our neighbors as ourselves.

• Source No. 5 (Hands)

  • Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit.

• Source No. 6 (Tree)

  • Spiritual teachings of Earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.

The World's Religions

Ten of the world's many religions are represented through symbols.

• Judaism: The Star of David

• Islam: The Crescent and Star

• Christianity: The Cross

• Hinduism: The Aum

• Taoism: The Yin and Yang

• Sikhism: The Khanda

• Buddhism: The Wheel of Dharma

• Three Spirals: Earth-Based Religions

• Zoroastrianism: The Wings

Words of Reflection

Each of the suited and numbered cards includes a word for reflection and contemplation. During meditation or period of reflection, randomly pull a card and contemplate on the word revealed.

Rules for the Game

Building Bridges

The object of the game is to score points by collecting groups of at least three sequential cards (2,3,4 for example). The game is played in several rounds. The first player to reach 100 points is the winner.

Preparation:

Shuffle the deck, turn over the top card, and place it on the table. The number on the card indicates the number of cards to give to each player. A Wild Card = 8 cards. Distribute the cards then place the remaining cards on the table as the Draw Pile. The face-up card on the table becomes the Discard Pile.

Play:

On your turn, either take the top card of the Draw Pile or the Discard Pile, add it to your hand, and discard one card;

OR set down at least three sequenced cards on the table to score points.

Both actions cannot be taken in the same turn.

Once cards are set on the table they cannot be added to or changed throughout the round. The round immediately ends when one player eliminates all the cards in their hand. Players calculate their points at the end of each round.

Special Rules:

When playing with only one card, players can only go out with a Wild Card. When playing with only two cards, players must go out with a pair.

Wild Cards:

Wild cards can be used as any number but have no suit and score no points. They can be played with any cards or can be placed on the table as a single card.

Scoring points:

Each number card scores its own number (the 7 card = 7 points). Cards in sequence which are also the same suit (for example, the 4, 5, and 6 of Hands) score double points. Wild cards score no points. The first player to get rid of all their cards in a round earns 10 points. A sequence of all seven numbers (a Rainbow) earns 35 points.