View source for Eye of Providence

{{WikipediaImport}}{{short description|Symbol of all-seeing eye (usually shown in triangle and/or surrounded by rays)}}
{{About||the album by The Agonist|Eye of Providence (album)|the type of Orthodox icon|Eye of Providence (icon)|Eye of God|Eye of God (disambiguation)||}}
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[[File:Dollarnote siegel hq.jpg|thumb|The Eye of Providence can be found on the reverse of the [[Great Seal of the United States]], as seen on the [[United States one-dollar bill|U.S. $1 bill]], depicted here.]]

The '''Eye of Providence''' (or the '''All-Seeing Eye of God''') is a [[symbol]] that depicts an eye, often enclosed in a [[triangle]] and surrounded by [[Ray (optics)|rays]] of [[light]] or [[Glory (optical phenomenon)|glory]], meant to represent [[divine providence]], whereby the eye of [[God]] watches over [[human]]ity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.catholic-saints.info/catholic-symbols/eye-christian-symbol.htm|title=The eye as a Christian symbol|website=catholic-saints.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/symbols/eye_of_god.htm|title=The Eye as a religious symbol|website=Religiousfacts.com|access-date=2009-12-09|archive-date=2015-04-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402205435/http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/symbols/eye_of_god.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.freemasonry.bcy.ca/symbolism/eye.html|title=Freemasonry and the All-seeing Eye|website=Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon}}</ref> 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]].

== Use by governments and confederations ==

=== United States ===
[[File:SealOfTheUS Prototype.png|thumb|Original design for the [[Great Seal of the United States]] by [[Pierre Eugene du Simitiere|Simitiere]]]][[File:Coat of Arms of Brasłaŭ, Belarus.svg|thumb|Coat of arms of [[Braslaw]], [[Belarus]]|262x262px]]In 1782, the Eye of Providence was adopted as part of the [[Symbolism (arts)|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]],<ref name="GSUSbooklet">[[Bureau of Public Affairs]]. July 2003. "[https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/27807.pdf The Great Seal of the United States]." Washington: [[United States Department of State|U.S. Department of State Archive]]; See also "[https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/rls/dos/9087.htm Great Seal]." Bureau of Public Affairs. 2002. Both retrieved 6 June 2020.</ref> and at the time, was a conventional symbol for God’s benevolent oversight.<ref name=Wilson/>

In his original proposal to the committee, du Simitiere placed the Eye over [[Coat of arms|shields]] so as to symbolize each of the original [[Thirteen Colonies|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").<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://greatseal.com/mottoes/coeptis.html|title=Annuit Coeptis - History of Motto Above Great Seal's Eye of Providence|website=greatseal.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://greatseal.com/symbols/thirteen.html|title=Thirteen - America's Number On the Great Seal of the United States|website=greatseal.com}}</ref>

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 [[List of United States county and city insignia|city seal]] of [[Kenosha, Wisconsin|Kenosha]], [[Wisconsin]]
*[[DARPA]]'s [[Information Awareness Office]]

==== U.S. currency ====
The Eye of Providence has been used among various forms of currency throughout U.S. history, including:

*the [[United States one-dollar bill]], as part of the Great Seal
* the [[Vermont copper|Vermont Copper]]
*[[Nova Constellatio]] patterns of 1783<ref>Spurrier, Lianna. 7 November 2018. "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bVMPYc17rc Lost & Found: The Nova Constellatio Set]" (video, 5:40). ''[[YouTube]]''.</ref>
* Nova Constellatio coppers of 1783 and 1785<ref>{{Cite web|title=Constellatio Nova Coppers - Introduction|url=https://coins.nd.edu/ColCoin/ColCoinIntros/Cons-Nova.intro.html|access-date=2019-08-09|website=coins.nd.edu}}</ref>
* some Immune Columbia issues<ref>{{Cite web|title=Immunis Columbia Copper (backdated) 1787: Introduction|url=https://coins.nd.edu/ColCoin/ColCoinIntros/ImmColumb.intro.html|access-date=2019-08-09|website=coins.nd.edu}}</ref>

=== Lithuania ===
The Eye of Providence appears on several [[Lithuania|Lithuanian]] insignia, including:

*The Coat of Arms of [[Alovė]]
*The Coat of Arms of [[Baisogala]]
*The Coat of Arms of [[Kalvarija, Lithuania|Kalvarija]]
*The Coat of Arms and Flag of [[Plungė]]
* The Coat of Arms and Flag of [[Šiauliai]]

=== Other countries ===
[[File:Bandeira da Confedereção do Equador.png|thumb|The Eye as depicted in the palm featured on the flag of the [[Confederation of the Equator]].|alt=|217x217px]]The Eye of Providence appears on the [[Coat of arms|Coat of Arms]] of [[Braslaw|Brasłaŭ]], [[Belarus]], and of [[Wilamowice]], [[Poland]]. The Eye was also part of the flag and coat of arms adopted by the [[Confederation of the Equator]], a short lived 1824 [[Secession|secessionist revolt]] in the [[Northeast Region, Brazil|Northeastern provinces]] of [[Brazil]]. In the [[United Kingdom]], the symbol was part of the [[Guards Division (United Kingdom)|Guards Division]] insignia, created in 1915.

In [[Estonia]], the [[50 krooni]] note shows the Eye as part of a depiction of the [[pipe organ]] of the [[Käina]] church. Likewise, the (old) 500 [[Ukrainian hryvnia]] note also depicts the Eye.

The Eye was included in the original publication of France's [[Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen]],<ref name=Wilson/> which also borrows [[iconography]] from the [[Ten Commandments]]. Similarly, the symbol is featured on the front page of the [[Constitution of Serbia]] from 1835.
Similaly, in [[Nigeria]], the eye symbol is part of [[Nigeria Customs Service]] logo. It's also the logo of [[DSTV]]'s popular reality programme, [[Big Brother Naija]].

== Freemasonry ==
[[File:MasonicEyeOfProvidence.gif|thumb|An early [[Freemasonry|Masonic]] version of the Eye, with clouds and a semi-circular [[Glory (religion)|glory]].|alt=An early Masonic version of the Eye of Providence with clouds and a semi-circular glory|left]]
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''.<ref>[[S. Brent Morris|Morris, S. Brent]]. 13 January 2010. "[http://web.mit.edu/dryfoo/Masons/Essays/eyepyr.html The Eye in the Pyramid]." ''Short Talk Bulletin''. Silver Spring, MD: [[Masonic Service Association]]. Retrieved 6 June 2020.</ref><ref>[[Thomas Smith Webb|Webb, Thomas Smith]]. [1791] 1821. ''The Freemasons Monitor or Illustrations of Masonry''. Salem, MA: Cushing and Appleton. p. 66.</ref> 

In this use, the Eye, representing the [[Omniscience|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 [[Semicircle|semicircular]] [[Glory (religion)|glory]] below it, and is sometimes enclosed by a [[triangle]].

Popular among [[Conspiracy theory|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 Fathers of the United States|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 [[Freemasonry in the Americas|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/anti-masonry/anti-masonry02.html#eye_pyramid|website=Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon|title=Anti-masonry Frequently Asked Questions}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/masonic_dollar.html|website=Pietre-Stones Review of Freemasonry|title=The "Masonic" One Dollar: Fact or Fiction?|first=David, W.Bro.|last=Barrett}}</ref>

== Use in religion ==

=== Christianity ===
[[File:Pontormo - Cena in Emmaus - Google Art Project.jpg|thumb|Pontormo, ''Cena in Emmaus'']]
The association of an eye with the concept of [[Divine Providence]] is found in [[Christianity]]. In late [[Renaissance|Renaissance European]] [[iconography]], the Eye, surrounded by a triangle, was an explicit symbol of the Christian [[Holy Trinity]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.opticianonline.net/features/optical-connections-the-all-seeing-eye |title=Optical connections: The all-seeing eye |website=opticianonline.net |date= February 21, 2020 |author= David Baker }}</ref> The Eye of Providence was later painted above an image of three faces in [[Pontormo]]'s 1525 ''Supper at Emmaus''.<ref name=Wilson>[https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20201112-the-eye-of-providence-the-symbol-with-a-secret-meaning Wilson, Matthew. "The Eye of Providence: The symbol with a secret meaning?", BBC, 13 November 2020]</ref> Seventeenth-century depictions of the Eye sometimes show it surrounded by clouds or [[sunburst]]s.<ref>{{cite book|last=Potts|first=Albert M.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rFvu92GyDQoC&pg=PA68|title=The World's Eye|publisher=University Press of Kentucky|year=1982|isbn=978-0-8131-3130-6|pages=68–78}}</ref> 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 (country)|Georgia]]

== Miscellaneous uses ==
Commonly in the context of a reference to the [[Illuminati]], numerous video games, TV shows, films, books, and websites contain depictions of the Eye.

=== University/college insignia and logos of organisations ===
Several universities and college [[Fraternities and sororities in North America|fraternities]] use the Eye of Providence in their coats of arms, seals, or badges, notably: 

* [[Delta Tau Delta]], based in [[Bethany, West Virginia|Bethany]], [[West Virginia]]
* [[Phi Kappa Psi]], based in [[Canonsburg, Pennsylvania]] 
* [[Phi Delta Theta]], based in [[Oxford, Ohio]]. 
* [[Delta Kappa Epsilon]], based in [[Ann Arbor]], [[Michigan]]

* The [[University of Chile]], [[Santiago]], [[Chile]]
* The [[University of Mississippi]], [[Oxford, Mississippi|Oxford]], [[Mississippi]].

== Gallery ==
<gallery class="center">
File:QuoModoDeum.gif|alt=Alchemical woodcut, which reads quo modo deum ('This is the way of God'), with the All-Seeing Eye floating in the sky|[[Alchemy|Alchemical]] [[woodcut]], which reads ''quo modo deum'' ('This is the way of God'), with the All-Seeing Eye floating in the sky
File:La Gratitude's All-seeing Eye.JPG|alt=All-seeing eye in a Cape Dutch gable in Stellenbosch, South Africa|All-Seeing Eye in a [[Cape Dutch]] [[gable]] in [[Stellenbosch]], [[South Africa]]
File:IAO-logo.png|alt=Original seal of the DARPA Information Awareness Office|Original seal of the [[DARPA]] [[Information Awareness Office]]
File:Alexander Column 2006.jpg|alt=All-Seeing Eye on the pedestal decorations of Alexander Column|All-Seeing Eye on the pedestal decorations of [[Alexander Column]]
File:Declaration of Human Rights.jpg|alt=All-Seeing Eye on the top of the Declaration of Human Rights (1789), French Revolution|All-Seeing Eye on the top of the [[Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen|Declaration of Human Rights (1789)]] from the [[French Revolution]]
File:ChristianEyeOfProvidence.svg|alt=A Christian version of the Eye of Providence, emphasizing the triangle representing the Trinity|A [[Christianity|Christian]] version of the Eye of Providence, emphasizing the triangle that represents the [[Trinity]]
File:MountEcclesia 002entr.jpg|alt=All-Seeing Eye in a pediment of an Esoteric Christian temple in Mount Ecclesia, California|All-Seeing Eye in a [[pediment]] of an [[Esoteric Christianity|Esoteric Christian]] temple in [[Mount Ecclesia]], [[California]]
File:Allsehendes Auge am Tor des Aachener Dom.JPG|alt=All-Seeing Eye on the gate of Aachen Cathedral|All-Seeing Eye on the gate of [[Aachen Cathedral]]
File:Catedral De Salta Ojo de la Providencia - Salta Cathedral All Seeing Eye.jpg|Eye of Providence on the exterior of a cathedral in [[Salta]], [[Argentina]]
File:Eye of Providence on Altar Equipment.JPG|alt=Eye of Providence depicted on altar equipment|Eye of Providence depicted on altar equipment, now in a museum in [[Pala, Kerala|Pala]], [[Kerala]], [[India]]
File:Eye of Providence Window.jpg|Eye of Providence depicted in a [[stained glass]] [[lancet window|window]] in the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in [[Fifield, Wisconsin]]
File:God eye2.jpg|alt=God Eye in West Ukraine (Ukrainian Carpathians) near Mykulychyn village|God Eye in [[Western Ukraine|West Ukraine]] ([[Ukrainian Carpathians]]) near Mykulychyn village. The inscription on the stone, written in an old [[Ukrainian dialects|Ukrainian dialect]], translates to "All will pass but God's eye does not pass you."
File:Kamienna Góra, cmentarz żydowski, fragment macewy DSCF7708.jpg|alt=The Eye of Providence in a Jewish cemetery in Kamienna Góra|The Eye of Providence in a [[Jewish cemetery]] in [[Kamienna Góra]]
File:Wappen Jauch 2. Fassung.JPG|alt=Eye of Providence in the canting arms of the Jauch family (motto: "Lord thou shalt guide me with thy counsel", Psalm 73:24)|Eye of Providence in the [[canting arms]] of the [[Jauch family]] ([[motto]]: "Lord thou shalt guide me with thy counsel", [[Psalm 73]]{{bibleverse|Psalm|73:24|KJV|:24}})
File:Coa Illustration All seeing eye.svg|alt=All Seeing Eye cross|All Seeing Eye [[Christian cross|cross]]
File:EyeOfProvidence-LvivLatinCathedral.jpg|alt=Eye of God on apse chapel ceiling in the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Lviv, Ukraine|Eye of God on [[apse chapel]] ceiling in the [[Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Lviv|Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption]], [[Lviv]], [[Ukraine]]
File:GODF in R.Macedonia.jpg|alt=The Eye of Providence depicted on the "Vistina – La Verite", a medallion issued by the Masonic Lodge in Skopje, North Macedonia.|The Eye of Providence depicted on the "Vistina – La Verite", a [[Medal|medallion]] issued by the [[Masonic lodge|Masonic Lodge]] in [[Skopje]], [[North Macedonia]].
File:Templo Masónico 14.jpg|alt=The Eye of Providence in Masonic Temple of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain|The Eye of Providence in [[Masonic Temple of Santa Cruz de Tenerife]], [[Spain]].
</gallery>

== See also ==
* {{section link|Caodaism#The Divine Eye}}
* [[Eye of Horus]]
* [[Eye of Ra]]
* [[Pyramidion]]
* [[Third eye]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Commons-inline}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Christian symbols]]
[[Category:Conceptions of God]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theories]]
[[Category:Heraldic charges]]
[[Category:Masonic symbolism]]
[[Category:Pictograms]]
[[Category:Eyes in culture]]
[[Category:Triangles]]