Pull out a one-dollar bill and look at it. What do you see besides apiece of cotton and linen blended and overprinted with symbols? On the front we see the treasury seal at the top, and the scales for a balanced budget, but it's not the front of the dollar bill we should be focusing on. It's the back. The two large circles that compromise the Great Seal Of The United States of America have left much to speculate about. So I ask how well do you know the dollar bill?
On July 4, 1776 our forefathers united on the very same day the thirteen states decided to unite, and declare themselves an independent nation To celebrate this newly found independence they began the search for the perfect emblem that would represent the United States of America. And so the search began.
The overseers of the design were found in three separate committees: the first consisting of Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, assigned artist Pierre Eugne Du Simitire, to convey their vision. The artist presented the seal, which was accepted by the committee on August 20, 1776. On March 25, 1780 the second committee was formed and went on to hire the assistance of Francis Hopkinson whom designed a copy of the American flag as-well as several congressional symbols. Hopkinson's second design consisted of several key items kept in the final version of the dollar bill: such as the olive branch; the shield of thirteen stripes; the constellation of thirteen stars and arrows. On May 4, 1782 the third, and final committee, consisting of Elias Boudinot, Arthur Middleton and John Rutledge was formed. William Barton was the final artist assigned by the third committee. And so the dollar bill was in its final stages. On June 13, 1782, Charles Thomson was handed the three separate committees final designs and set to work. Thompson incorporated all three designs, as well as his own visionary one, to complete the dollar bill we hold today.
Now, it is these very symbols that have led to much controversy. Controversies questioning even the core of our forefather's beliefs? Why the all Seeing Eye, the Egyptian pyramid, what is the significance of the number thirteen? These questions lead to only place with similarly questionable symbols Freemasonry.
Freemasonry is one of the oldest and largest fraternal organizations in the world. Its members must, "be of good moral character, be loyal to your country, and posses a desire to help others through community service and universal benevolence," to name only a few of its requirements. The question is since some of our forefathers were Freemasons could some of the beliefs in the symbols they held dear have found their way onto our currency and its jurisdiction?
Take the number 13, for example. Thirteen is, and has been considered, an unlucky number in many cultures for hundreds of years. Many buildings, as well as residential homes, will skip the ominous number for fear of distracting superstitious believers. Some would say that it's no mere coincidence that the number 13, which holds great significance to Freemasons, would show so frequently on the dollar bill. Was it just to glorify the initiation of the 13 colonies, or is there a deeper significance?
If you look closely above the eagle's head, you will see 13 stars. The eagle clutches 13 leaves and 13 berries in its right talon, and 13 arrows in its left. "E Plurubis Unum" & "Annuit Coeptis" both contain 13 letters. It can be said that those in charge wish to keep the dollar representing that most pivotal moment in order to preserve a shining monumental time in our nation's history, but since American pride is still alive and well 231 years later, why haven't we incorporated the other thirty-seven states into the dollar bill as was done with our flag?
Moving away from the eeriness of the number thirteen, focus on the Latin text that is written on the seal, Novus Ordo Seclorum,' (The New World of Ages) The New World Order is a term that is usually used when referring to a worldwide conspiracy orchestrated by influential people of power, but could this hidden agenda to rule the world be planned by Masons, or worse yet, our forefathers? The fact is that when one makes a hexagram around the text, ANNUIT COEPTIUS, that appears above the All Seeing Eye, and NOVUS ORDO SECORUM, at the bottom of the pyramid, the decoded words spell out MASON. This would leave most conspiracy theorists biting their fingernails. Could it be that our forefathers were so proud of their dignified institution that they decided to incorporate it into the dollar bill, or was a devised plan set fourth for future generations of Freemasons to put into action?
The Eye of Providence, otherwise referred to as The All Seeing Eye, is yet another symbol that has led to much speculation. The magnificent eye sits atop the Egyptian pyramid surrounded by rays of golden light and it is believed to represent the eye of God watching over mankind. Representations of the eye can date back to Egyptian mythology, such as the eye of Horus and Ra. The eye of these deities in ancient Egypt symbolized protection and power. Urban legend has it that the eye and the unfinished pyramid can also be traced back to Freemasonry, which uses this very symbol in order to; represent the Grand Master architect, namely God. The eye can represent anything from benevolence, an evil being or society, security and protection, or even tyranny. Since this symbol is displayed on many Masonic lodges, as-well as other iconography, one does have reason to question the possibility of a Masonic influence on the dollar bill. This belief finds some credibility with the fact that Benjamin Franklin was in fact a Freemason, but since he promoted no representations for the design with any Masonic influence, the conspiracy theory begins to fade and the urban legend gains strength.
Hollywood helps to keep the urban legend alive and well if only to create mega-blockbuster motion pictures as was the idea behind the 2004 hit National Treasure starring Nicholas Cage. The truth is, whatever is behind the dollar bill, whether it be a dark conspiracy to rule the world, or merely the inflated pride of a new nation, the search for the truth is entertaining and keeps us on our toes. Perhaps we will never know, but the continuous shrouded secrecy behind Freemasons worldwide, but it's sure to keep the movie machines running, and writers with enough fodder to feed their imaginations, for years to come.