Path: christian Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian From: "Peter G. Trei" Subject: Dollar-bill faq Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu This is a FAQ file on the symbolism of The Great Seal of the United States, which appears on the back of the one dollar bill. This emblem is frequently said to contain Masonic symbolism. This file is ultimately derived from a post I made to soc.religion.christian (13 Feb 1992, Subject: Re: Novus Ordo Seclorum (160 lines long), <9202131403.AA17429@bistromath.mitre.org>) I am a Master Mason, and presiding Master of Wilder Lodge, in Leominster, MA. I run the Masonic Digest mailing list (send me email for information). Peter Trei ptrei@mitre.org Jan, 1993 -------------------------------------------------- * What does the "Novus Ordo Seclorum" mean and why is it on the dollar? * What's the significance of the pyramid with the eye on top? Novus Ordo Seclorum means "A new order of the world." When the US was founded, the idea of a "new nation" was a novelty - other countries claimed royal descent from antiquity. Even 87 years later, the concept was alien enough to warrant mention in the Gettysburg address. As for Masonic content in the seal, it's minimal. Contrary to popular belief, the seal was NOT designed by a Mason. While the All-seeing Eye of God is a Masonic symbol, the pyramid is not, nor is perching the eye on top of it. An eye in a triangle does appear on the jewel of a Grand Master, but this is as close as we get. An isolated eye as a symbol is not specifically Masonic; it's a common emblem, used by many people in different contexts. For example Greek fishermen paint eyes on the prow of their boats. The most recent time I saw an eye in a triangle on the outside of a building was on the door of a Catholic church in Watertown, NY. -------------------------------------------------- A brief history of the seal of the United States. The first committee On July 4, 1776, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams were given the job of designing a seal for the United States. Pierre Eugene Du Simitiere, a portrait painter with some knowledge of heraldry, acted as a consultant, and is credited with introducing the shield, 'E Pluribus Unum', and the eye of Providence in a triangle. Franklin wanted an allegorical image of Moses parting the Red Sea. Jefferson wanted an image of the Children of Israel being led by a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day on one side, and Hengst and Horsa on the other. Adams wanted an allegorical image of Hercules deciding between Sloth and Virtue. These three suggestions indicate their ignorance of heraldic convention. Du Simitiere wanted a shield with six sections representing England, Scotland, Ireland, Holland, France, and Germany, supported on one side by the goddess of Liberty, and on the other by a buckskinned Minuteman. All of these suggestions were rejected by Congress in January 1777. The second committee The second committee was formed 3 years later, and consulted with Francis Hopkinson, who had designed the American flag, some currency, and seals for government departments. His proposal included white and red stripes on a blue background for the shield, a radiant constellation of 13 stars, and an olive branch. Hopkinson also designed a 1778 50-dollar colonial note, which included an unfinished 13 step pyramid. The third committee The third committee was formed May 4, 1782, when Secretary of Congress Charles Thomason appointed William Barton as artist and consultant. Barton came up with what is essentially the current form of both sides. His exegis of the reverse: "The pyramid signifies Strength and Duration. The Eye over it & the Motto allude to the many signal interpositions of Providence in favor of the American cause. The date underneath is that of the Declaration of Independence and the words under it signify the beginning of the new American Era, which commences from that date." 'Annuit Coeptis' means "God has favored our undertakings". Of the people involved, only Franklin is known for certain to have been a Mason (though a strong case can be made for Jefferson). The seal's reverse was never cut, and was not widely seen until Roosevelt put it on the dollar bill in the mid-30's. (He apparently linked "Novus Ordo Seclorum" with his New Deal). I have been unable to determine if use of an eye in a triangle on a Grand Masters jewel predates 1782. [Most of this info is lifted from: "America's Secret Destiny", by Robert Hieronimus (Destiny Books, 1989, ISBN 0-89281-255-9). This is rather weird volume - the author has an obsessive interest in the history of the seal, and wrote his doctoral thesis on the topic. His history seems airtight, but he goes off into Never Never Land in discussing the "mystical significance" of the seal.] Peter Trei