The Truth:
Although symbols are open to many interpretations, we do have some historical insight into the design and meaning of some of the images on the one dollar bill.
Using the text from the most commonly circulated email on this subject, let's go through some of the lines that seem to be of most interest. All explanations and interpretations are taken from the United States Treasury Department and the United States Department of State, which is the official keeper of the United States Seal.
eRumor The one dollar bill you're looking at first came off the presses in 1957 in its present design.
The Truth: This is true. According to the U.S. Treasury Department, that is when the motto, "In God We Trust" started being used on paper money. It was in use on coins long before that.
eRumorIf you look on the front of the bill, you will see the United States Treasury Seal. On the top you will see the scales for the balance-a balanced budget.
The Truth: That may be somebody's interpretation of the scales, but the Treasury Department has little to do with whether the budget is balanced. That's handled by congress. According to the U.S. Treasury Department, the balancing scales represent justice.
eRumorIn the center you have a carpenter's T-square, a tool used for an even cut.
The Truth: It is not a carpenter's T-square. It is a chevron with 13 stars representing the 13 original colonies.
eRumorUnderneath is the Key to the United States Treasury.
The Truth: It is not the key to the United States Treasury. It is using the key as a symbol of authority.
eRumorThat's all pretty easy to figure out, but what is on the back of that dollar bill is something we should all know. If you turn the bill over, you will see two circles. Both circles, together, comprise the Great Seal of the United States.
The Truth: This is true. The back of the dollar bill has become so familiar to Americans, that many may not have realized two things. One is that the symbols are from the official Great Seal of the United States. The other is that the Great Seal actually has two sides.
eRumorThe First Continental Congress requested that Benjamin Franklin and a group of men come up with a Seal.
The Truth: Before the adjournment of the Continental Congress on July 4th, 1776, a committee was appointed to develop a seal for the United States. The committee was Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson, three of the five men who had drafted the Declaration of Independence. They were merely the first committee, however. It took six years, the work of two additional committees and a total of 14 men before a final version of the Great Seal was approved.
The Truth: The final proposal, which was accepted by Congress, was submitted on June 13, 1782 by Charles Thompson who had the title Secretary of Congress. He brought together some of the recommendations of the three committees, their consultants, and artists.
eRumorIf you look at the left hand circle, you will see a Pyramid. Notice the face is lighted and the western side is dark. This country was just beginning. We had not begun to explore the West or decided what we could do for Western Civilization.
The Truth: First, the pyramid was not a part of the proposals for the Great Seal until the third committee. It was not suggested by Jefferson, Franklin, and Adams. As to the lighting on the East or West of the pyramid, we did not find any such official explanation.
eRumorThe Pyramid is UN-capped, again signifying that we were not even close to being finished.
The Truth: This appears to be accurate. The unfinished state of the pyramid was intentional. Also, Charles Thompson, in his remarks to congress about the symbolism on the Great Seal, said the pyramid represented "Strength and Duration."
eRumorInside the capstone you have the all-seeing eye, and ancient symbol for divinity. It was Franklin's belief that one man couldn't do it alone, but a group of men, with the help of God, could do anything.
The Truth: Although Franklin's committee did not suggest a pyramid, it did originate the suggestion of the eye. The term "the all-seeing eye" is never used in describing it. The Franklin committee wanted the seal to include a reflection of divine providence and discussed a variety of themes including the Children of Israel in the Wilderness. Some have suggested that the pyramid and the eye are the result of Masonic influence, but the only member of the original committee who was a Mason was Franklin and this committee's design was rejected by congress. None of the final designers of the seal was a Mason. The eye as representing "the eye of providence" has a long history. It's more likely that both the designers of the Great Seal and the Masons both drew from that history. The use of "the all seeing eye" as uniquely Masonic first appeared in 1797, nearly 15 years after the adoption of the symbolism by Congress. The Latin above the pyramid, ANNUIT COEPTIS, means "God has favored our undertaking."
The Truth: This is true.
eRumorThe Latin below the pyramid, NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM, means "a new order has begun."
The Truth: The government's translation of this phrase is, "A new order for the ages."
eRumorAt the base of the pyramid is the Roman Numeral for 1776.
The Truth: This is true.
eRumorIf you look at the right-hand circle, and check it carefully, you will learn that it is on every National Cemetery in the United States. It is also on the Parade of Flags Walkway at the Bushnell, Florida National Cemetery and is the centerpiece of most hero's monuments. Slightly modified, it is the seal of the President of the United States and it is always visible whenever he speaks.
The Truth: The Presidential Seal has the eagle facing to the eagle's left toward the olive branch instead of toward the eagle's right as on the Great Seal. This was a change ordered by President Harry Truman in 1945.
eRumoryet no one knows what the symbols mean. The Bald Eagle was selected as a symbol for victory for two reasons: first, he is not afraid of a storm; he is strong and he is smart enough to soar above it. Secondly, he wears no material crown. We had just broken from the King of England.
The Truth: We could not find this particular explanation of the imagery of the eagle in the official records. Most references to the eagle indicate that it represents something of uniquely American origin. One of the original design proposals for the Great Seal featured a small crested white eagle, which is not uniquely American.
eRumorAlso, notice the shield is unsupported. This country can now stand on its own.
The Truth: This is accurate. Charles Thompson said it denoted that the United State of America ought to rely on their own virtue.
eRumorAt the top of that shield you have a white bar signifying congress, a unifying factor. We were coming together as one nation. In the Eagle's beak you will read, "E PLURIBUS UNUM", meaning "one nation from many people."
The Truth: Actually, the shield consists of red and white stripes with a blue bar above and which does represent Congress. The colors are taken from the American flag and officially, the red represents hardiness and valor, the white represents purity and innocence, and the blue, vigilance, perseverance, and justice.
eRumorAbove the Eagle you have thirteen stars representing the thirteen original colonies, and any clouds of misunderstanding rolling away.
The Truth: The thirteen stars do represent the Colonies. We could not find anything official about the "clouds of misunderstanding."
eRumorNotice what the Eagle holds in his talons. He holds an olive branch and arrows. This country wants peace, but we will never be afraid to fight to preserve peace. The Eagle always wants to face the olive branch, but in time of war, his gaze turns toward the arrows.
The Truth: The official meaning is that the olive branch and the arrows "denote the power of peace & war." As noted above, the design has been with the eagle facing the arrows except for when President Harry Truman turned the face toward the olive branch on the Presidential Seal.
eRumorThey say that the number 13 is an unlucky number. This is almost a worldwide belief. You will usually never see a room numbered 13, or any hotels or motels with a 13th floor But, think about this: 13 original colonies, 13 signers of the Declaration of Independence, 13 stripes on our flag, 13 steps on the Pyramid, 13 letters in the Latin above, 13 letters in "E Pluribus Unum", 13 stars above the Eagle, 13 plumes of feathers on each span of the Eagle's wing, 13 bars on that shield, 13 leaves on the olive branch, 13 fruits, and if you look closely, 13 arrows. And for minorities: the 13th Amendment.
The Truth: The significance of the number 13 in all the symbolism represents the beginning of the country, the 13 colonies.
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