More Money Matters

Have you ever looked at the back of a dollar bill? On the left hand side is the Great Seal of the United States. There’s a pyramid (?) with 13 steps and a mystic eye at the top. What is that all about? 

The eye is a symbol known as the Eye of Providence—God looking over all things. This was a known Freemason symbol. Freemason are a semi-mystical fraternal organization and both George Washington and Ben Franklin belonged. Above the eye  are the words ANNUIT COEPTIS, Latin for “He favors our undertaking.” Below is NOVUS ORDO SECLUROM—"New Order of the Ages.” The pyramid is a universal structure that has lasted since antiquity—note Egypt, Mexico, Guatemala, Indonesia and more. A stable structure geometrically speaking and long-lasting as well.

On the right side is our national bird, The Bald Eagle, with a crest of 13 stripes and above him a six-sided star of 13 stars. The presence of 13 throughout the dollar’s symbols naturally refers to the original 13 colonies. 

And then comes the most interesting part. The eagle is carrying 13 arrows in his left talon and an olive branch in the right, symbolic of war and peace. But note which way the eagle’s head is turned. Is it toward the arrows or the olive branch? 

There you have it. We need to be prepared to defend ourselves with the arrows if necessary, but our head is turned toward peace. That’s important information. I gave this talk to my 8-year old granddaughter and told her how we’re looking for peace and without missing a beat, she said, “Well, we’re not doing a very good job with that!”

And to continue our money quiz. Without looking it up, what’s on the back side of a $5 dollar bill? A $10? A $20?

Next time you spend money, ponder these themes.