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The Eye of Providence is a symbol showing an 'all-seeing' eye surrounded by rays of light or a glory and usually enclosed by a triangle. It is commonly interpreted as representing the omniscient eye of God keeping watch on mankind.
In its current form, the symbol first appeared in the west during the 17th & 18th century. But representations of an all-seeing eye can be traced back to Egyptian mythology and the Eye of Horus. 17th century depictions of the Eye of Providence sometimes show the Eye surrounded by clouds. The later addition of an enclosing triangle is usually seen as a more explicit trinitarian reference to the God of Christianity.
| An alchemical woodcut, showing the all-seeing eye of God floating in the sky. |
A Christian version of the Eye of Providence, emphasising the triangle representing the Trinity. |
In 1782 the Eye of Providence was adopted as part of the symbolism on the reverse side of the Great Seal of the United States. The Eye was introduced by the original design committee of 1776 and is thought to be the suggestion of the artist consultant Pierre Eugene du Simitiere.
On the seal, the Eye is surrounded by the words Annuit Coeptis, meaning "It [the Eye of Providence] is favorable to our undertakings". The Eye is positioned above an unfinished pyramid with thirteen steps, representing the original thirteen states and future growth of the country. The combined implication being that the Eye, or God, favors the prosperity of the United States.
The Great Seal is used to endorse offical United States documents. As such, it is reproduced, along with the Eye of Providence, on the back of every one dollar bill.
An early Masonic version of the Eye of Providence with clouds and a semi-circular glory.
The Eye of Providence also appears as part of the iconography of the Freemasons. The all-seeing eye is then a reminder that a Mason's deeds are always observed by the Grand Architect of the Universe. Typically the Masonic Eye of Providence has a semi-circular glory below the eye — often the lowest rays extend further down. Sometimes the Eye is enclosed by a triangle, but in this context it is seen as a reference to the Freemason's preference for the number 3 in numerology. Other variations of the symbol can also be found, with the eye itself is replaced by the letter 'G' representing the Grand Architect.
It is a common misconception that the Eye of Providence and unfinished pyramid show the influence of Freemasonry in the foundation of the United States. Although Benjamin FranklinBenjamin Franklin ( January 17, 1706 — April 17, 1790) was an American journalist, publisher, author, philanthropist, abolitionist, public servant, scientist, librarian, diplomat, and inventor. One of the leaders of the American Revolution, he was well kn, one of the members of the original design committee for the Great Seal, was a Freemason, it appears he was not responsible for introducing the symbol and may not have been aware of it.
The first official Masonic reference to the Eye of Providence is in 'The Freemasons Monitor' by Thomas Smith Webb in 1797Events January 3 The Treaty of Tripoli (a peace treaty between the United States and Tripoli) is signed at Algiers. January 7 The parliament of the Repubblica Cisalpina adopts the Italian Tricolore as official flag: here starts the story of the Flag of It, some years after the Great Seal was designed. The Masonic use of the Eye does not incorporate a pyramid, although the enclosing triangle is often misinterpreted as one (even by many Masons).