Understanding Our Constitution - Part 16 - The Great Seal of the United States

The Great Seal of the United States, the national emblem, is used to authenticate certain documents issued by the United States government. It is often said to be the “coat of arms” of the United States.

The Seal can only be affixed by an officer of the Department of State, under authority of the Secretary of State. Documents which require the seal include treaty ratifications, international agreements, appointments of ambassadors and civil officers, and communications from the President to heads of foreign governments.

It is officially used on documents such as United States passports, military insignia, embassy placards, and various flags.

Since 1935, both sides of the Great Seal appear on the reverse of the one-dollar bill.

A 1782 resolution adopted the seal blazons (the formal description of a coat of arms or flag).

On the obverse (front) side, in the center, is a bald eagle with its wings outstretched. A shield covers the eagle’s breast. The shield is supported solely by the eagle as a symbol that Americans rely on their own virtue. The red and white stripes of the shield represents the states united under and supporting the blue, which represents the President and Congress.

The eagle holds a bundle of 13 arrows in its left talon (referring to the 13 original states) and an olive branch in its right talon - together symbolizing that the United States “has a strong desire for peace but will always be ready for war”. The eagle has its head turned toward the olive branch, to symbolize a preference for peace.

Over its head there appears a “glory” (like a halo) with 13 mullets (stars with straight-sided rays) on a blue field.

In its beak, the eagle clutches the motto, “E Pluribus Unum” (Out of Many, One). It has come to suggest that out of many peoples, races, religions, and ancestries, a single people and nation has emerged - illustrating the concept of a “melting pot”.

E Pluribus Unum was the de facto motto of the United States until 1956 when Congress passed an act (H.J. Resolution 396) adopting “In God We Trust” as the official motto. Two years before, on Flag Day, June 14, 1954, President Eisenhower signed a bill adding “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance.
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The image on the reverse is described as “A pyramid unfinished. In the zenith an eye in a triangle, surrounded by a glory, proper”.

The pyramid is shown consisting of 13 layers of block to refer to the 13 original states. It is unfinished - representing that the nation will be growing. Its base is inscribed with the date MDCCLXXVI (1776) in Roman Numerals.

Where the top of the pyramid should be, the Eye of Providence (the all-seeing eye) watches over it. It is sometimes interpreted as representing the eye of God watching over humankind.

Two mottos appear, “Annuit Coeptis” signifying that Providence has “approved of our undertakings” or “He favors our undertakings”. “Novus ordo Seclorum” is Latin for “A New Order of the Ages”.