Eye of Providence
The Eye of Providence (or the All-Seeing Eye of God) is a figure that depicts an eye, often enclosed in a triangle and surrounded by rays of light or glory,
meant to represent divine providence whereby the eye of God watches over humanity.[1][2][3]
The Eye of Providence is a widely recognized symbol, giving it instrumentality in the fields of iconography and semiotics.
A well known example of the Eye of Providence appears on the reverse of the Great Seal of the United States, which is depicted on the United States one-dollar bill.
In 1782, the Eye of Providence was adopted as part of the symbolism featured on the reverse side of the Great Seal of the United States.
It was first proposed as an element of the Great Seal by the first of three design committees in 1776, and is thought to be the suggestion of the artistic consultant,
Pierre Eugene du Simitiere,[4] and at the time, was a conventional symbol for God’s benevolent oversight.[5]
In his original proposal to the committee, du Simitiere placed the Eye over shields so as to symbolize each of the original thirteen states of the Union.
On the version of the seal that would eventually be approved, the Eye is positioned above an unfinished pyramid of thirteen steps (again symbolizing the original States,
but also incorporating the nation's potential for future growth). Such symbolism is explained through the motto that appears above the Eye, annuit cœptis,
meaning "He approves [our] undertakings" (or "has approved").[6][7]
Perhaps due to its use in the design of the Great Seal, the Eye has made its way into other American seals and logos, such as, for example:
The Seal of Colorado
The city seal of Kenosha, Wisconsin
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Freemasonry
Today, the Eye of Providence is often associated with Freemasonry, first appearing as part of the standard Freemason iconography in 1797 with the publication of Thomas Smith Webb's The Freemason's Monitor.[11][12]
In this use, the Eye, representing the all-seeing eye of God, serves as a reminder that humanity's thoughts and deeds are always observed by God—who is referred to in Masonry as the Great Architect of the Universe.
Typically, the Masonic Eye of Providence has a semicircular glory below it, and is sometimes enclosed by a triangle.
Popular among conspiracy theorists is the claim that the Eye of Providence shown atop an unfinished pyramid on the Great Seal of the United States indicates the influence of Freemasonry in the founding of the United States.
However, common Masonic use of the Eye dates to 14 years after the creation of the Great Seal. Furthermore, the only Mason among the members of the various design committees for the Great Seal was Benjamin Franklin,
whose ideas for the seal were not adopted. Likewise, various Masonic organizations have explicitly denied any connection to the creation of the Seal.[13][14]
Christianity
The association of an eye with the concept of Divine Providence is found in Christianity.
In late Renaissance European iconography, the Eye, surrounded by a triangle, was an explicit symbol of the Christian Holy Trinity.[15]
The Eye of Providence was later painted above an image of three faces in Pontormo's 1525 Supper at Emmaus.[5]
Seventeenth-century depictions of the Eye sometimes show it surrounded by clouds or sunbursts.[16]
The Eye of God in a triangle is still used in church architecture and Christian art to symbolize the Trinity and God's omnipresence and divine providence.
The Eye of Providence is notably featured on the following Eastern Orthodox, Latter-day Saint, and Catholic buildings, among others:
The Kazan Cathedral, Saint Petersburg, Russia
The Salt Lake Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah
Jesuit Church, Mannheim, Germany
Shio-Mgvime Monastery, Mtskheta, Georgia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye_of_Providence