explicación de los símbolos del gran sello de usa

8/9/2019 Explicacin de los smbolos del Gran Sello de USA

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Constelacin de 13 estrellas:

Thomson said the "constellation denotes a new Statetaking its place and rank among other sovereign powers."

The essential principles of our Government form "the bright constellation which has gone before

us and guided our steps." Thomas Jefferson

American Bald Eagle:

In the Eagle's stronger right talon, Thomson placed the olive branch suggested by the second

committee whose designs had Peace and Liberty holding the olive branch. And the Eagle facestoward this ancient symbol Thomson called "the power of peace."

In the left talon, the Eagle holds the power of war symbolized by thebundle of 13 arrows.

On a scroll in the Eagle's beak, Thomson placed E Pluribus Unum, the motto suggested by the

first committee:.

Although not specifically mentioned, clearly the American Eagle on the Great Seal represents

liberty and freedom, a theme central to all three preliminary designs.

E PLURIBUS UNUM Origin and Meaning

of the Motto Carried by the American Eagle

E pluribus unum was suggested by the committee Congress appointed on July 4, 1776 to design"a seal for the United States of America." The below sketch of their design accompanied a

detailed description of their idea for the new nation's official emblem.

In his official explanation of the Great Seal, Thomson said this motto refers to the union between

the states and federal government, as symbolized by the shield of thirteen stripes on the eagle'sbreast.

EL Escudo

The shield design is seen in the 13 pillars of the

Temple of Liberty Justice and Peace.

Symbolism of the Shield (paraphrase ofofficial explanation.)

The shield is composed of the blue Chief (top horizontal bar) and the red and white Pales

(thirteen vertical stripes) which represent the several states all joined in one solid compact entire,supporting a Chief which unites the whole and represents Congress. The motto alludes to this

union.

The stripes are kept closely united by the Chief, and the Chief depends upon the union and the

strength resulting from it for its support to denote the Confederacy of the United States ofAmerica and the preservation of their union through Congress.
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The Olive Branch on the Great Seal

"A Figure representing Peace bearing an Olive Branch" (above left) was suggested in 1780by the second Great Seal committee. And on the reverse side of their design created by Francis

Hopkinson, Liberty is seated, holding an olive branch (above center).

Two years later, Charles Thomson put together the final design for the Great Seal. He placed the

an olive branch in the eagle's stronger right talon and faced the eagle toward it. (Detail of

Thomson's preliminary sketch is shown above right.)

The official description of the Great Seal's states: "The American bald Eagle holding in hisright talon an Olive branch, and in his left a bundle of thirteen arrows ." (The number of

olives or leaves is not specified.)

Thomson explained the symbolism: "The Olive branch and arrows denote the power of peace& war which is exclusively vested in Congress."

The official explanation describes the symbolism: "The Olive branch and arrows denote the

power of peace & war which is exclusively vested in Congress."

The Bundle of Thirteen Arrows

in the Eagle's Left Talon on the U.S. Seal

In heraldry, the symbol in a figure's right hand is more significan than the one in its left hand. All

dies of the Great Seal have shown the eagle facing the olive branch on its right side furtheremphasizing the power of peace.

ANNUIT COEPTIS Origin and Meaning

of the Motto Above the Eye

"The Eye over it & the motto Annuit Coeptis allude to the many signal interpositions of

providence in favour of the American cause."

"many signal interpositions of providence in favor of the American cause."

An accurate translation ofAnnuit Coeptis is:

"Providence Has Favored Our Undertakings."

The year after choosing this motto, Thomson wrote to his wife Hannah: "I entertain a fond hopethat the same kind providence which has conducted us so far in our journey will open a way for

the future happiness and prosperity of the United States."
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The Eye of Providence

"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divineProvidence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."

Closing sentence of the Declaration of Independence

The eye was originally suggested by Pierre Du Simitire, the consultant and artist on the first

Great Seal committee appointed July 4, 1776. He specified: "The Eye of Providence in a

radiant Triangle whose Glory extends over the Shield and beyond the Figures ."

For the final design of the reverse side of the Great Seal, Charles Thomson specified a "Pyramid

unfinished" and gave only a briefexplanation of the symbolism, saying the pyramid signifies

"Strength and Duration" no doubt influenced by the Great Pyramid.

In the "zenith" of the pyramid is a radiant Eye of Providence.

NOTE: The official description of the Great Seal does not specify the number of layers of stone

in the pyramid, but it has been traditionally depicted with thirteen.

The Great Seal has a reverse side because when it was adopted in 1782, "pendant seals" were in

use, and they had two sides.

MDCCLXXVI The Date at the Base of the Pyramid on the Great Seal of the United States

Thomson explained the symbolism: "The date underneath is that of the Declaration of

Independence and the words under it signify the beginning of the new American ra, whichcommences from that date."

That the founders seriously considered 1776 the beginning of a new era is clear in official

papers. For example, the document on which the Great Seal first appeared (Sept. 16, 1782)

concludes as follows:

"In Testimony whereof we have caused these our Letters to be made patent and the Great Seal ofthe United States of America to be thereunto affixed. Witness His Excellency John Hanson

President of the United States in Congress assembled the sixteenth day of September in the Year

of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty two, And of ourSovereignty &Independence the Seventh."

Note: 1776 was so iconic, that even though there were 14 states by the time the Great Seal wasadopted in 1782, the number of stripes and stars and arrows was set at 13, the number of states in

1776.
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NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM Origin and Meaningof the Motto Beneath the American Pyramid

Novus ordo seclorum is the Latin motto suggested in 1782 by Charles Thomson, the Founding

Father chosen by Continental Congress to come up with the final design for the Great Seal of theUnited States.

On June 20, 1782, Congress approved Thomson's design for both sides of the Great Seal whose

official description for the reverse side specifies:

"On the base of the pyramid the numerical letters MDCCLXXVI

& underneath the following motto. 'novus ordo seclorum'."

Although Thomson did not provide an exact translation of the motto, he explained its meaning inconjunction with the date 1776 on the foundation of thepyramid:

"The date underneath is that of the Declaration of Independence and the words under it

signify the beginning of the new American ra, which commences from that date."

Translating NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM

NOVUS means new, young, novel, or renewed.

ORDO means order, row, or series.

SECLORUM means ages, generations, or centuries.

An accurate translation ofNovus Ordo Seclorum is "A New Order of the Ages," but the meaning of this

motto is better understood when seen in its original context.
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