The Great Seal
Let's begin by looking at the The Coat of Arms.
![[image]](usas.jpg)
The national Coat of Arms displays as its central figure the American bald
eagle with a shield of 13 red and white pale ways banded across the top with a
blue chief (band). From the eagle's beak flutters a scroll bearing in 13
letters our motto "E. Pluribus Unum." In the eagle's right talon is
an olive branch with 13 leaves and 13 berries. In the left talon there are 13
arrows with 13 feathers. Thirteen in Biblical numerics denote rebellion. Here
we have the 13 colonies that rebelled against the tyranny of the king of
England.
The devises making up our National Arms are in the
order of their importance as follows:
1. The
Eagle
2. The
Escutcheon
3. The
Scroll
4. The
Motto
5. The
Olive-branch
6. The
bundle of Arrows.
We shall examine these six heraldic elements
separately.
1. The Eagle.
The American Bald Eagle or white-headed eagle is the
strongest and most courageous member of the Aquila (Leucocephalus) family of
Falcons. Full grown its height is about 3 feet. It is of a glossy brown-ash
color with its white head and tail which covers its yellow skin. Its beak is a
deep yellow as are the legs and feet and its talons black. The Lord has endowed
the Bald Eagle with great strength and powerful wings extending seven feet more
or less. The eagle (in heraldry) is accounted as one of the most noble figures
in armory and according to authorities in this science" ought to be given
to one that greatly excels in the virtues of generosity and courage..."
(C.A.L. Totten) The eagle on metals
(and also on dies) is a symbol of Divinity and Providence." It was also an
ancient symbol of spiritual vision.
In American heraldry the Eagle symbolizes the
"people of the United States" who speaking with sovereign voice in
the Preamble to their Constitution expressly show themselves to constitute the
government with power inherent in themselves alone to "ordain and
establish" its form. (Preamble: "We the People of the United
States in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure
domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general
welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity do
ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.")
In Scriptures the eagle is declared one of the
loftiest emblems of nationality. (Ezek. 17:3-7). Deut.28:49 refers to its
swiftness. According to Audubon (the American naturalist) the eagle can sail
along with broad extended wings and then ascend until it disappears from view
without any apparent motion then from the greatest height descend upon its
quarry with a rapidity which cannot be followed by the human eye.
Job. 39:29 refers to the eagle's piercing eye. The
eagle has a little eye but very quick sight and discerns its prey afar off. It
is also supposed to be the only creature that can look directly into the sun.
Job 39:30 refers to the eagle's courage. Although formidable to all birds the
eagle does not prey on small birds and often leaves a part of its kill for
other birds that follow. However it does not permit other birds of prey to gain
tenure in the vicinity of its eyrie (nest). Thus it has its own peculiar
doctrine against foreign encroachment and is unrelenting in its strict enforcement.
Eagles usually mate once and build one eyrie that
serves them for the remainder of their life among the highest and most
precipitous rocks. (See Job 39:28.) It is with remarkable solicitude that the
eagle protects the young eaglets and teaches them to fly. In so doing if the
young birds become weary or fearful it takes them upon its back and carries
them to safety. In allusion to this most beautiful trait we have the story of
how God delivered His People out of Egypt and bore them upon "Eagles' wings."
Thus we find the eagle is a glowing emblem of Divine Providence that in so many
instances prospered our undertakings. This unrivaled King of the Air is a
worthy representation of the genius of American liberty. It is self-reliant and
is most fittingly given the chief place upon our "Coat of Arms."
2. The Escutcheon.
In heraldry there can be no coat of arms without a
shield. It is the shield upon the existence of which everything else hangs or
depends and it is the shield which is of first and greatest importance. The
shield or Escutcheon of the Great Seal carries 13 pale ways banned across the
top in blue. Each stripe is of equal width - 7 of them white and 6 red = 13.
The official explanation of the shield's symbolism is that the red and white
stripes represent the original 13 colonies - supported by the blue chief which
unites the whole and represents Congress. Barton explains: "The pales in
the arms are kept closely united by the chief and the latter depends on that
union and the strength resulting from it for its support to denote the
Confederacy of the United States and the preservation of their union through
congress....The Escutcheon is borne on the breast of an American Eagle without
any Supporter to denote that the United States of America ought to rely on
their own virtue."
The colors of the pale way on the Escutcheon are
taken from the American Flag - White signifying "Purity and
Innocence" Red signifying "Vigilance Preservation and Justice."
It is to be noted that the colors as used on the Escutcheon are reverse from
the order of the Flag which begins in Red and ends in Red showing an incomplete
task. The Escutcheon begins in White and ends in White showing a task
completed. In symbolism the Flag portrays National interests while the Escutcheon
portrays spiritual interest.
The Scriptural significance of the colors used on
the Escutcheon are: Red the color of blood and signifies "Justice" or
"Judgment" reminding us of the blood of Christ shed for us. White the
color of snow signifies "Purity" or "Holiness." Blue the
color of the sky signifies "Love" and because this is the color of
the heavens it is also representative of God. Blue is also given in remembrance
of Law. (Num.13:38-39)
From the earliest times the shield has been the most
honored of defensive arms. In modern times though its distinctive use has all
but passed away its deep significance has continued to remain among all peoples
as the emblem of supreme protection. The Scriptures give glowing similes to
shields withdrawn: "...who is like unto you O People saved by the LORD the
shield of your help" (Deut.33:29) "Fear not Abram: I am your shield
and your exceeding great reward" (Gen.15:1) "For You LORD will bless the righteous with favor will You
compass him as with a shield" (Psalms 5:12) "He shall cover you with
His feathers and under his wings shall you trust: His truth shall be your
shield and buckler.(Psalms 91:4) The Escutcheon of America is her glorious
"Constitution" but in a spiritual sense symbolizes the "Shield
of Faith" which protects our nation from the evil designs of our enemies:
"Above all taking the shield of faith wherewith you all shall be able to
quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." (Eph.6:16). It is this
"Shield" on indicating a symbolical sense the self-reliant eagle
needs to guard its offspring.
3. The Scroll. The placing of the Scroll in the beak of the Eagle
was Secretary Thomson's idea. This arrangement is not only unique but solitary
in national heraldry. Generally they are placed either below the Escutcheon or
over the crest. Although the Statute makes no mention of its color in the
official blazonry of the State Department its tincture is gold and the motto is
lettered thereon in a nondescript neutral tint parchment or prepared lamb's
skins. In latter days when heraldry selected its symbols the whole record of
life was supposed to be worthily transcribed when on his Scroll a knight wrote
his motto only. Often they were rolled up for better preservation and
frequently were of great import as in prophetic writings they were sealed and
stored in a case. From this practice of rolling scrolls is derived the word
"volume" from the Latin word "volvere" meaning "to
roll". The Scroll borne by the American eagle is an unsealed one rolled
out and its sentiments openly displayed. 4. The Motto - E. Pluribus Unum. Mottoes in heraldry had their origin in the war
cries of knights. They were also honorably borne in times of peace and their
sentiment was made a rule of life. So the National Motto of the Great American
People "E. Pluribus Unum" born in the beak of the Eagle is its war
cry as well as its lofty guide to higher life. 5. The Olive Branch. The Olive Branch held in the Eagle's Dexter (right)
talon consists of 13 leaves and 13 berries and the official explanation is that
it signifies peace. This is taken from the Scriptures where the dove sent out
by Moses returned with an olive leaf
in its beak (Gen.8:11). The Statute is not quite explicit in regards to the
arrangement of leaves and fruit only stating it to be "all proper".
However a letter from Tiffany & Co. shows there was a definite intention in
the number of leaves and berries: The letter reads: "We have used the
classical olive and decided not to introduce the flowers the fruit (13) and the
13 leaves speak for themselves in a very clear and positive manner." The founding of America is the fulfillment of this
promise. Our people landed on these shores as "branches running over a
wall" as they were guided and led by Divine Providence. 6. The Bundle of Arrows. The bundle of arrows in the Eagle's sinister (left)
talon consists of 13 arrows fledged with 13 feathers and was first proposed by
Secretary Thomson. As the case of the Olive Branch the Statute is not specific
as to details. No mention is made as to color or the direction the arrows
should point. Since the Statute only states "all proper" they have
universally been represented on the Arms with "points upward" and
outward. This is their "proper" mode of display as (on the Seal) they
represent the war power of the country which is thus shown to be in a state of
readiness and preparation. The arrows are most appropriately given the
secondary or sinister place in the grasp of the Eagle's talon. America prefers peace to war. We offer first the
right hand of friendship. However we are prepared for conflict, self-reliant,
possessed of inexhaustible resources and confident in Him Who "prospered
our beginnings". But arrows are more than emblems of power and war. They
are symbols of "aim" denoting purpose will and intention. By
combining these ideas with those of the Olive Branch we may read the symbolism
of the arrows as meaning that it is the cardinal principle of true Americanism
that recourse to arms shall be for no other purpose than the maintenance of a
just cause having for its object the establishment and preservation of unity
and love. Arrows are also intimately connected with our
tradition as Anglo-Saxon people. The English archers were most feared in every
battlefield of the Middle Ages. It was their distinctive weapon whose flight in
deadly clouds decimated the ranks of their adversaries. THE CREST. In Heraldry the Crest was an ornament for the head. It was usually fastened to the helmet and was a distinctively
personal or hereditary devise. Warriors among the classical ancients bore
insignia peculiar to themselves in this manner. Our National Crest however
represents America like a new Constellation taking its place on high. "The
archers have sorely grieved him and have shot at him and hated him but his bow
abode in strength and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of
the Almighty God of Jacob..." (Gen.19:23-24). The Cloud which surrounds the Constellation in
American heraldry is to be represented according to the Statute as "proper".
It is therefore designed to be blazoned sable with its inner linings lightened
(argent) and illuminated brilliantly by the stars that it surrounds. The Cloud
is represented as rolling back that other stars may be in time revealed and
added to that group. In symbolism the Cloud in rolling back indicates the
breaking up of the storm of ignorance injustice and oppression before the
dawning light of a new and potent constellation. But this emblem has deeper
significance - that of covering and protecting. The Lord "seals up the
stars" explains Job - using the Hebrew idiom - "He covers or
compasses them with Clouds" (Job 9:7). "He spread a cloud for a
covering:" (Psalm 105:39). This same idea of "protecting" is
expressed by Moses just before taking leave of the chosen people. In Scripture and in nature the clouds also denote
the presence of Jehovah: "And it came to pass when the congregation was
gathered against Moses toward the Tabernacle of the congregation: and behold
the cloud covered it and the glory of the LORD appeared" (Num.16:42). A
cloud guided those that had just escaped from bondage: "And the LORD went
before them by day in a pillar of a cloud to lead them the way..."
(Ex.13:21). It was a cloud that stood between the Israelites and
the Egyptians, "And it stood between the camp of the Egyptians and the
camp of Israel and it was a cloud and darkness to them (i.e. the Egyptian) but
it gave light by night to these so that one came not near the other all
night." (Ex.14:20). 3. The Constellation. The Constellation of 13 stars in the midst of the
Glory Cloud is composed of pentagrams or 5-pointed stars so arranged that their
groupings form a hexagram or 6-pointed star. This hexagram is composed of 2
equilateral triangles and in each triangle are exactly 10 stars. The Statute is
silent as to the arrangement of the stars. For this reason Professor Totten
suggests the arrangement of the stars in the Crest to be heraldically correct
should be "proper" (according to nature and not in any way confined
to the regularity of a circle or to a regular distribution). A natural arrangement of the stars (in
Constellation) was evidently in the minds of the Committees of 1779 and 1780 as
evidenced by the designs they submitted. Charles Thompson's original design
also shows a natural arrangement of the stars. Not withstanding the final
version approved by Congress for our National Seal has the Constellation
arranged in the form of a six-pointed star. This arrangement seems to have been
fixed and warranted by the earlier seal of the President of the Continental
Congress and may be accounted for by the possibility of the same artist having
cut both seals. The American radiant five-pointed silver star is
believed to have constituted the seal or signet of King Solomon and in early
time it was in use among the Hebrew people as a symbol of safety. The
Constellation of 13 stars was meant particularly to symbolize this nation
formed of 13 independent States. However, in Scriptural symbolism they also
represent the 13 tribes of Israel. This is shown in the prophetic dream of
Joseph in which we find the 13 heavenly bodies the eleven stars the sun and the
moon making abeyance to him. The interpretation given in Scriptures is that the
11 stars represent the 11 other sons of Jacob or tribes of Israel.
(Gen.37:5-11). Joseph the one receiving homage later gave up his
head as one of the tribes in favor of his two sons Ephraim and Manasseh. Jacob
in adopting the two sons placed the younger son Ephraim ahead of Manasseh.
Consequently Ephraim took Joseph's place (the 11th tribe) leaving Manasseh who
came after Benjamin to become the 13th tribe. Levi was removed from being
numbered among the tribes so the Bible continues to speak of the "12
tribes of Israel." The Heraldry Involved in the
Reverse Seal of the USA
The true object of a reverse seal is to guard against its falsification. In
former times to accomplish this a "counter-seal" was used. The
custody of the two seal was then given two different guardians.
Usually the reverse seal was used only on documents of the highest importance. Today the
Statute gives the custody of the entire Seal (Reverse as well as Obverse) into
the hand of the same individual, the Secretary of State. The Reverse face of the Great Seal consists of six
essential elements: 2. The
Mystical Eye" 3. The
radiant Triangle" constituting the "Reverse Crest" 4. The Words
"Annuit Coeptis" 5. The Motto
"Novus Ordo Seclorum" 6. The numerical letters "MDCCLXXVI". I will examine each element separately. 1. The Unfinished Pyramid. The unfinished Pyramid is the most prominent devise
on the Reverse Seal the counterpart so-to-speak of the Arms (Obverse). It is
composed of 13 courses of masonry. The official explanation is that it
represents the Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt and symbolizes "strength"
and "duration". The Great Pyramid of Giza is the most gigantic
building ever erected upon the face of the earth. It is over 4500 years old and
is still a masterpiece of architecture. Built of stone it is preeminently the
emblem of lasting stability. Students of the Pyramid have come to the
conclusion that it is the "pillar" to which Isaiah 19:19 refers:
"in that day shall be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of
Egypt and a pillar (monument) at the border thereof to the LORD." The seemingly mathematically impossibility of the
monument of Isaiah being located at the center and the border of the land of Egypt
was solved by the great American geographer Henry Michael (chief hydrographer
to the United States Coast Survey - 1868). Michael discovered that the Great
Pyramid was mathematically located at the center of the circular section
forming Lower Egypt or the Delta of the Nile. It was upon the center and the
border of Lower and Upper Egypt occupying the central point of the mutual and
borders of both Egypt's. The Pyramid therefore stands at the center of all
Egypt. The location fits Isaiah's description and establishes the structure as
the "sign and a witness to the LORD of Hosts."(Isaiah 19:20) The
study of the Great Pyramid over the past 100+ years has established its claim
to being that monument beyond all doubt. It is our privilege and our duty to
re-explore this structure and to unravel its teachings and recognize its
relevance to America and its people. 2. The Mystical Eye. Du Simitiere said that the
"Eye of Providence" and
the conception of surrounding it with the "Radiant Triangle" was
Thomas Jefferson's suggestion. Both Barton and Thomson retained the idea and
Congress adopted it. The Statute of June 20th, 1782 reads as follows: "In
the Zenith an Eye in a Triangle surrounded with a Glory proper": The
tincture of the Glory is of course "Or" (gold) but the
"proper" heraldic blazonry of the All-Seeing Eye is not clearly
defined. The "Eye" being an Emblem of God Himself - who can assign a
special "color" to the Eye of the Omniscient? Totten suggests:
"This symbol can be blazoned 'Properly' only as of argent (white). The
laws of Correspondence Heraldry and Harmony all conspire in this selection.
White ineffable clear as the firmament above....haraldry that dares not stain
such an emblem with any arbitrary color (white is not a color but is every
color combined)..." The Emblem of the "Eye" is one of the most
ancient symbols of "Divine Providence" and is found among the earliest
nations of the earth. The Greeks swore by the "Eye of Jove" and this
worship spread over the Roman world. The "Solar Eye" as it was known
became a religious badge in the entire ancient world. But the devise has an
older origin. It was the symbol of the Arabian god of Jethro (the father-in-law
of Moses) and was a resplendent sun inscribed with the Arabic motto"
Allah" or "I am that I am". The earliest use of the "Eye of
Providence" appears to have been in ancient Chaldea the early homeland of
the Hebrew people. The mystical triangle that encases the Eye is also
an emblem of great antiquity. Allusion
to this triangle is found in most of the ancient religious and secret
societies. Ancient Freemasonry employed the triangle generally in connection
with the All-Seeing Eye. Throughout the whole system of modern in heraldry when
a triangle is placed within and surrounded by a circle of rays the circle is
called a "Glory" (Christian). When, however, this Glory is distinct
from the triangle (as is the case of the Reverse Seal) it is then an emblem of
"God's Eternal Glory" The Triune God-head. This is the usual form in
religious uses. The Radiant Triangle making up part of the Crest of
the Reverse Seal forms the Cap-Stone or "Corner Stone" of the
Unfinished Pyramid. In the Scriptures Jesus Christ is symbolized by just such a
"stone" "The stone which the builders rejected the same is
become the head of the corner: this is the LORD'S doing and it is marvelous in
our eyes" (Matt.21:42) - quoted from Psalms 118:22-23). And"...Jesus
Christ Himself being the chief corner stone In Whom all the building fitly
framed together grows unto a holy temple in the LORD." (Eph.2:2021). 4. The Motto - Annuit Coeptis. Above the Reverse Creston the 13 letters is the
motto "Annuit Coeptis" meaning, He has prospered our undertakings (or
beginnings). These beautiful sentiments upon the Seal refer directly to the
"All-Seeing Eye" in the "Radiant Triangle" as an emblem of
Him Who prospered our under takings. In a secondary sense it refers to the
Unfinished Pyramid below whose 13 courses of stone grow up in lasting stability
toward the Capstone descending from the Sky. Barton's earlier and more complicated design
contained the motto "Deo Favente" (with God's favor) placed over the
Eye. Although it meant essentially the same thing Secretary Thomson changed it
to the present and even more deeply significant motto "Annuit
Coeptis". Although it may have been suggested in total blindness to its
mystic Anglo-Israelite significance the change displays more clearly America's
Israel birthright. The fact that the present motto possesses 13 letters
adds intensity to this important reference. Its hidden meaning has reference
primarily to the children of Manasseh. As the 13th tribe of Israel they were
particularly set apart to have their undertakings prospered as a separated
People whose greatness in the latter times was prophetically assured. This birthright of TEMPORAL blessings was but a
continuation of the prosperity promised Manasseh's father Joseph: "And the
LORD was with Joseph and he was a prosperous man" and "the LORD made
all that he did prosper in his hand" (Gen.39:23). "And of Joseph He
said Blessed of the LORD be his land for the precious things of heaven for the
dew and for the deep that couches beneath and for the precious fruits brought
forth by the sun and for the precious things put forth by the moon. And for the
chief things of ancient mountains and for the precious things of the lasting
hills" (Deut.33:13-15). 5. The Motto - Novus Ordo Seclorum. The Motto "Novus Ordo Seclurum" written in
the Latin word is an intentional altered quotation from Virgil's Fourth
Eclogue. Virgil borrowed it from the mystic Sibylline records (The Sibylline
Books). The translation application to America is: "The
last age of Cumean song now comes (the seventh or last or perfect cycle). Novus
ordo Seclorum (the Sabbatic age of Rest- the Age of Freedom) means a mighty
order of Ages is born Anew. Both the Prophetic Virgin (Goddess of Liberty) and
the Saturnian kingdoms (the new Rebublis - Kingdom of Israel) now return (in
the latter days). Now a new progeny (a progeny among nations diverse from all
predecessors - a government "of the People by the People and for the
People: a nation of independent States and yet the union of a multitude of
individuals) is let down. 6. The Date - MDCCLXXVI. The date (1776) on the base of the Unfinished
Pyramid is the date of our Independence. It tells when Divine Providence
"prospered our beginnings" (Annuit Coeptis) the beginning of a new
nation (Novus Ordo Seclorum) established upon new principles - the nucleus of the
Kingdom of God on earth with all its glorious promises to long-oppressed
humanity. This nation has been blessed by God above all the
nations on the earth because of the promises He gave to Abraham but that is a
whole little known mystery.
Our now famous Motto was first proposed by Thomas Jefferson and was formally
adopted by the committee of 1776. Inspiration for the Motto may have been the
Continental Silver Dollar and the design upon one of the Colonial Bills then in
circulation. Both carried the word "We are One" more appropriately
designed "One Out of Many" (made or constructed out of many). This
gives National testimony to the fact that as a nation we sprang out of many
nations or tribes.
innumerable.
In the Scriptures the olive tree is one of the earliest and most sacred symbols
of Nationality (Jer.11:16). Israel is likened to an "olive
tree"(Rom.11:1-36) its fruit that of "fatness" (Judg.9:9).
Jeremiah speaks of the ten-tribe House of Israel after they were cast out of
the land for sin and before they had found grace in the wilderness in these
words: "The LORD called your name, A green olive tree fair and of goodly
fruit..." (Jer.11:16). Hosea speaks of the Joseph-Israelites' nation:
"I will be as the dew to Israel: he shall grow as the lily and cast forth
his roots as Lebanon. His branches shall spread and his beauty shall be as the
olive tree and his smell as Lebanon" (Hos.14:56). This prophetic blessing
of "branches shall spread" is a continuation of Jacob's blessing of
Joseph which reads: "Joseph is a fruitful bough even a fruitful bough by a
well whose branches run over the wall" (Gen.49:22).
In Scriptural symbolism the Bundle of Arrows represent the weapon of the Almighty.
It is the wounding convicting of sin "Arrow of the Word" described by
the Psalmist: "Your arrows stick fast in me and your hand presses me
sore" (Psalm 38:2).
Manasseh as well as his father Joseph was well versed in this method of warfare
for we read that "The sons of Reuben and the Gadites and the half tribe of
Manasseh of valiant men; men able to bear buckler and sword and to shoot with
bow and skillful in war were 40760 that went to the war" (1 Chron.5:18).
1. The Cloud.
![[image]](Reverse Seal.jpg)
1 The Unfinished Pyramid"
It is significant that the Unfinished Great Pyramid was one of the great
national monuments of the country where Joseph married and where his two sons Ephraim
and Manasseh were born. The Great Pyramid was also a reminder of the Children
of Israel's long sojourn in the land of Egypt. Here again we find, as with many
other aspects of the Great Seal of the United States, Israelites' origins.
In our American Heraldry the Eye symbolizes the watchful eye of the God of
Israel watching over the destiny of this nation and illustrating the prophetic
words: "Behold He that keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep"
(Psalms 121:4). Concerning Israel the Lord has said, "I will set My eyes
upon them for good..." (Jer.24:6). In Psalms 32:8 God promises Israel:
"...I will guide you with My eye." In the book of Deuteronomy we find
this reference to the "Divine Eye" with Israel: "He found him in
a desert land and in the waste howling wilderness He led him about He
instructed him He kept him as the apple of His eye." (Deut.32:10).
3. The Radiant Triangle.