On July 4, 1776, the same day America's thirteen° separate states united to declare themselves an independent and sovereign nation, they began to create their national memes emblems and seals, most outstanding; the Great Seal of the United States.

The most accessible collection of the secretary notes by Charles Thompson through all 3 meetings over the next six years can be found in The eagle and the shield @ https://archive.org/details/TheEagleAndTheShield
Before the constitution, bill of rights and naturalization acts our founders were "squaring the cornerstone" of the American identity.

The preliminary (accepted) drawings of the design for the Great Seal:

The Secretary of the United States in Congress assembled to whom were referred the several reports of committees on the device for a great seal, to take order, reports
That the Device for an Armorial Atchievement & Reverse of the great seal for the United States in Congress assembled is as follows.–
Arms
Paleways of thirteen pieces Argent and Gules: a Chief, Azure. The Escutcheon on the breast of the American bald Eagle displayed, proper, holding in his dexter talon an Olive branch, and in his sinister a bundle of thirteen arrows, all proper, & in his beak a scroll, inscribed with this Motto. "E pluribus unum".–
For the Crest
Over the head of the Eagle which appears above the Escutcheon, A Glory, Or, breaking through a cloud, proper, & surrounding thirteen stars forming a Constellation, Argent, on an Azure field.–
Reverse
A Pyramid unfinished. In the Zenith an Eye in a triangle surrounded with a glory proper. Over the Eye these words "Annuit Coeptis". On the base of the pyramid the numerical letters MDCCLXXVI & underneath the following motto. "novus ordo seclorum"

This is not just about the past. By knowing that the Great Seal's symbols and mottos meant seeing through time to the Founders, it becomes a compelling lens to inspect and participate in America's future

Given 3rd committee explanations:



The Escutcheon is composed of the chief & pale, the two most honorable ordinaries. The Pieces, paly, represent the several states all joined in one solid compact entire, supporting a Chief, which unites the whole & represents Congress. The Motto alludes to this union. The pales in the arms are kept closely united by the chief and the Chief depends upon that union & the strength resulting from it for its support, to denote the Confederacy of the United States of America & the preservation of their union through Congress.
The Olive branch and arrows denote the power of peace & war which is exclusively vested in Congress. The Constellation denotes a new State taking its place and rank among other sovereign powers. The Escutcheon is born on the breast of an American Eagle without any other supporters to denote that the United States of America ought to rely on their own Virtue.–
Reverse.
The pyramid signifies Strength and Duration: The Eye over it & the Motto allude to the many signal interpositions of providence in favour of the American cause. The date underneath is that of the Declaration of Independence and the words under it signify the beginning of the new American Æra, which commences from that date.–


Unacceptable proposals:
Benjamin Franklin: "Moses standing on the Shore, and extending his Hand over the Sea, thereby causing the same to overwhelm Pharaoh who is sitting in an open Chariot, a Crown on his Head and a Sword in his Hand. Rays from a Pillar of Fire in the Clouds reaching to Moses, to express that he acts by Command of the Deity. Motto, Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God."

Thomas Jefferson: The children of Israel in the wilderness, led by a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. For the reverse side of the seal: Hengist and Horsa, the two brothers who were the legendary leaders of the first Anglo-Saxon settlers in Britain.

John Adams: The painting known as the "Judgment of Hercules," where the young Hercules must choose to travel either on the flowery path of self-indulgence or ascend the rugged, uphill way of duty to others and honor to himself.

Du Simitière: "The shield has six Quarters... pointing out the Countries from which these States have been peopled."
Three British:
Rose for England, Thistle for Scotland, Harp for Ireland
Three European:
Fleur-de-lis for France, Belgic Lion for Holland,
Imperial Eagle for Germany
The shield is bordered with the initials for "each of the thirteen independent States of America."
Crest: "The Eye of Providence in a radiant Triangle whose Glory extends over the Shield and beyond the Figures."
Motto: "E PLURIBUS UNUM"





Do you believe God has a favorable Providence for our undertakings?
How do you think the constellation's denotation of "a new State taking its place and rank among other sovereign powers" applies/should apply today?
How significant are the early documents and symbols?
How do you define some of these stated heraldic terms (Sinister, left; dexter, right)?

are you chev?

Wut

subsonic
supersonic
masonic