Hello jimmygeorge~
The current U.S. one dollar bill first appeared in 1957.
Unfortunately, no ?official? meaning for some of the symbols on the
bill has been given. Therefore, such symbols are largely up for
interpretation.
The reason a pyramid was included on the dollar bill, however, was
because it was already the seal for the nation. (The seal was first
placed on the one dollar bill in 1935, according to the U.S. Treasury
Department.)
The First Continental Congress asked Benjamin Franklin to form a
committee to suggest an appropriate seal for the United States. While
this committee?s ideas for a seal were rejected, the committee did
recommended the use of a pyramid.
One explanation for the use of the pyramid is that, at the time, it
was believed Egypt was the birthplace of civilization. (?Great Seal of
the United States,? Santa Cruz Public Libraries:
http://www.santacruzpl.org/readyref/files/g-l/grtseal.shtml ) Others
suggest a pyramid was chosen because it represented endurance and
strength. (?Dollar Art,? PBS:
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/on2/money/design.html )
Indeed, Charles Thomas spoke of the symbolism of the pyramid in a June
1782 report to Congress; he said, "The pyramid signifies Strength and
Duration..." and the U.S. Treasury agrees with this interpretation.
(?FAQ: Currency,? U.S. Treasury Department:
http://www.treas.gov/education/faq/currency/portraits.html )
Some people point out that the face of the pyramid is well lit, while
the western side of the pyramid is dark; they suggest this symbolizes
a country just starting out, and not sure what it would do for the
western world. Or, that it symbolizes the fact that the west had not
yet been explored?-that it was still unknown. There is no official
opinion.
Notice that the pyramid has no ?cap? or top. The generally accepted
symbolism here is that this nation is not yet finished, that it will
continue to grow and improve.
Notice, too, the eye on the pyramid. Franklin?s committee wanted some
sort of symbol representing divine providence; however, they never
suggested an eye. Still, many people interpret the eye as a symbol of
God or the divine. Others suggest it represents our vision as a
nation. Given the founding father?s spiritual beliefs, the first is
possibly more likely; the U.S. Treasury Department also touts this
interpretation.
Many people have said that the pyramid and the eye on it are Masonic
symbols; however, among those who came up with the U.S. seal, none
were Masons. (Perhaps the confusion comes in because the Continental
Congress announced in July 1776: "Resolved, that Dr. Benjamin
Franklin, Mr. John Adams and Mr. Thomas Jefferson, be a committee, to
bring in a device for a seal for the United States of America." Yes,
they were all Masons. However, none of their designs were approved by
Congress, and it took several more years for the seal to be designed
and approved. ?Dollar Art,? PBS:
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/on2/money/design.html )
In addition, the Masonic use of the ?all seeing eye? didn?t come about
until 1797--about 15 years after Congress adopted the symbol for the
U.S. seal.
The Latin above the pyramid (?annuit coeptis?) means ?God has favored
our undertaking.? The founding fathers believed that God helped them
create the United States. This Latin phrase also contains 13 letters,
symbolizing the original 13 states. (?Great Seal of the United
States,? Santa Cruz Public Libraries:
http://www.santacruzpl.org/readyref/files/g-l/grtseal.shtml ) The
Latin below the pyramid (?novus ordo seclorum?) means "a new order has
begun." At the base of the pyramid is the Roman Numeral for 1776.
(?The One Dollar Bill,? Free Republic:
http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3b2a7f5b44e5.htm ).
Regards,
Kriswrite
RESEARCH STRATEGY:
"Dollar bill" symbolism
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=%22Dollar+bill%22+symbolism&btnG=Search
and a search of the U.S. Treasury Department?s website: http://www.ustreas.gov/ |
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