The Great Seal of the United States has classic symbols on its reverse side. These symbols are the unfinished pyramid and the eye in a triangle. With the Egyptian pyramid, it is a symbol of strength and duration; the 13 steps indicate the original number of U.S. states; and the 13 steps leading to an unfinished summit indicates future growth in the nation. The eye is known as the "Eye of Providence"; it is surrounded by rays of light. According to Webster's New World College Dictionary, "providence" can mean:

1. a looking to, or preparation for, the future; provision.

2. skill or wisdom in management; prudence.

3. the care or benevolent guidance of God or nature.

Viewing the reverse side of the seal without qualms, it is not truncated. It is really just unfinished. There is a big difference. Some critics have missed the point. The origin of the Great Seal of the United States was not hidden; it is well known. Its history is very well documented. In 1782 the Great Seal was given a reverse side to show in total that: "America is still growing; and hopefully it will never finish growing."

Focusing on the pyramid, there was and is no intended significance to the number of stones in the pyramid (nor the shadow it casts). These details were determined by artists. Although the pyramid has been traditionally shown with 13 steps, experts found in a final review that no number was specified in the official 1782 written description of the Great Seal of U.S.

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