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Annuit cœptis (/ ˈ æ n u ɪ t ˈ s ɛ p t ɪ s /, Classical Latin: [ˈannʊ.ɪt ˈkoe̯ptiːs]) is one of two mottos on the reverse side of the Great Seal of the United States. The literal translation is "[He] favors (or "has favored") [our] undertakings", from Latin annuo ("I approve, I favor"), and coeptum ("commencement, undertaking").
The other motto is Annuit cœptis. The mottos were coined by Charles Thomson, the secretary of the Congress of the Confederation. [1] [2] Thomson derived the phrase Novus ordo seclorum from a poem by the Roman poet Virgil.
The Eye of Providence can be found on the reverse of the Great Seal of the United States, as seen on the U.S. $1 bill, depicted here.. The Eye of Providence or All-Seeing Eye is a symbol depicting an eye, often enclosed in a triangle and surrounded by rays of light or a halo, intended to represent Providence, as the eye watches over the workers of mankind.
The crest was a radiant constellation of thirteen stars. The motto was Bello vel pace paratus, meaning "prepared in war or in peace". The reverse, in Hopkinson's words, was "Liberty is seated in a chair holding an olive branch and her staff is topped by a Liberty cap. The motto 'Virtute perennis' means 'Everlasting because of virtue.'
annuit cœptis: he nods at things now begun: i.e., "he approves our undertakings." Motto on the reverse of the Great Seal of the United States and, consequently, on the reverse of the United States one-dollar bill; in this context the motto refers to God. annus horribilis: horrible year: Variation on annus mirabilis, recorded in print from 1890 ...
When designing the final version of the Great Seal, Thomson (a former Latin teacher) kept the pyramid and eye for the reverse side but replaced the two mottos, using Annuit Cœptis instead of Deo Favente (and Novus ordo seclorum instead of Perennis). When he provided his official explanation of the meaning of this motto, he wrote:
Thomson changed the motto "Perennis" on Barton's initial design to "Novus ordo seclorum" (and "Deo favente" to "Annuit cœptis"). He adapted both from Virgil quotes but he was the only person to author the mottos.
At the top [citation needed] of the seal stands a Latin phrase, "ANNUIT COEPTIS", meaning "He favors our undertaking." At the bottom of the seal is a semicircular banner proclaiming "NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM" meaning "New Order of the Ages" that is a reference to the new American era. To the left of this seal, a string of 13 pearls extends toward ...