Annuit cœptis
Annuit Cœptis is one of two mottos (the other being Novus Ordo Seclorum) on the reverse side of the Great Seal of the United States. Taken from the Latin words annuo (to nod, approve) and cœpio (to begin, undertake), it literally means "He approves the things which have been begun."
In 1782, Congress appointed a design artist, William Barton of Philadelphia, to bring a proposal for the national seal.[1] For the reverse, Barton suggested a thirteen layered pyramid underneath the Eye of Providence. The motto which Barton chose to accompany the design was, "Deo Favente." The proper Latin translation of Deo (ablative of Deus, the Deity) is "with God." "Deo Favente" is Latin for "with God favoring." A common English translation for this phrase is "by the Grace of God."
Barton explained that the motto alluded to the Eye of Providence: "'Deo Favente' which alludes to the Eye in the Arms, meant for the Eye of Providence."[2] For Barton, Deus (God) and The Eye of Providence were the same entity.
In light of the fact that the theme "13" was included throughout both sides of the seal, a month later, Charles Thomson amended Barton's motto with a phrase containing 13 letters. The motto on the front of the seal (E Pluribus Unum) already had 13 letters. Thomson suggested a phrase that was synonymous to "Deo Favente" but with thirteen letters: Annuit Coeptis.
When Charles Thomson provided his official explanation of the meaning of this motto, he wrote:
"The Eye over it [the pyramid] and the motto Annuit Coeptis allude to the many signal interpositions of providence in favor of the American cause."[3]
Hence, the motto and the Eye of Providence both alluded to the same reality. The Eye of Providence was commonly understood as a symbol for God and destiny. Hence, Annuit Coeptis is translated by the U.S. State Department, The U.S. Mint,[4] and the U.S. Treasury[5] as "He (God) has favored our undertakings." (brackets in original).[6]
"Annuit Coeptis" and the other motto on the reverse of the Great Seal, "Novus Ordo Seclorum," can both be traced to lines by the Roman poet Virgil. "Annuit Coeptis" comes from the Aeneid, book IX, line 625, which reads, "Jupiter omnipotens, audacibus annue coeptis." It is a prayer by Ascanius, the son of the hero of the story, Aeneas, which translates to, "All-powerful Jupiter, favour [my] daring undertakings." According to the ancient state religion of Rome, properly called the Cultus Deorum Romanum, Jupiter was head of the pantheon of Gods, and in late antiquity was often afforded a role similar to modern conceptions of God.
References
- ^ Greatseal.com
- ^ Papers of the Continental Congress, item 23, folios 137-139.
- ^ Journals of the Continental Congress, June 1782
- ^ The U.S. Mint
- ^ The U.S. Treasury
- ^ U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Public Affairs (2003). The Great Seal of the United States. Retrieved October 22, 2005.
