Symbols

Our National Symbols

This Issue's Symbol..... The Great Seal

The Great Seal of the United States is a symbol of our nation and our nation's sovereignty. On the front (face) of the seal, there is an an eagle clutching arrows, representing war, and an olive branch, representing peace. The 13 stripes on the shield represent the union of the 13 original states, or colonies. On the other side of the seal is an unfinished pyramid with thirteen layers, representing strength and duration. Above the pyramid is the "Eye of Providence" and the Latin words "Annuit Coeptis", meaning "He [God] has favored our undertaking." Below the pyramid are the Latin words "Novus Ordo Seclorum", meaning "A New Order of the Ages." On the pyramids base is the year we gained our independence, 1776. The numbers are written in roman numerals.

Creation of the Seal of the United States was authorized by the Continental Congress. William Barton, someone knowledgeable of heraldry, and Charles Thomson, who was then secretary of Congress, designed the seal. It was accepted in 1782. The seal was redrawn in a different design in 1841, and they changed some details on it. In 1904, they decided to use the old seal again, so the seal designed in 1782 came into use again. It is still the one we use today.