Americas Symbols and Biblical Symbolism
Election
The National Arms Display (U.S.)
Consists of:
The Eagle- Scripture declares it as on of the loftiest emblems of nationality
(Ezek. 17 3:7). Job 39:29 refers to the Eagle's piercing eye and it is supposed to
be the only creature that can look directly into the sun. It was also known as an
ancient symbol of spiritual vision.
The Escutcheon (shield)
In heraldry there can be no coat of arms without a shield. The Escutcheon is borne
on the breast of an eagle, without any other supporter, to denote that the United
States of America ought to rely on their own virtue. The scriptures give glowing
similes to shields withdrawn (Duet 33:29; Gen 15:1; Psalms 5:12; Psalms 91:4). The
Escutcheon of America is her glorious "Constitution", but in a spiritual sense,
symbolizes the "Shield of Faith" which protects the nation from the evil designs of
our enemies (Eph. 6:16). It is this "Shield" only, in a symbolical sense, the self
reliant Eagle needs to guard it's offspring.
The Scroll- The location of the Scroll is in the beak of the Eagle. This
arrangement is not only unique but solitary in national heraldry. Generally they
are placed either below the escutcheon or over the crest. Although the Statute
makes no mention of its color, in the official blazonry of the State Department its
tincture is gold and the motto is lettered thereon in a nondescript neutral tint.
The scroll borne by the American eagle (above) is an unsealed one, rolled out, and
its sentiments openly displayed.
The Motto- Mottoes in heraldry had their origin in the war cries of knights. The
were also honorably borne in times of peace and their sentiment was made a rule of
life. So the national Motto of the American people, "E. Pluribus Unum", borne in
the beak of the Eagle, is its war cry as well as its lofty guide to higher life.
Our famous Motto was first introduced by Thomas Jefferson and was formally adopted
by the committee of 1776. Inspiration for the Motto came from the Continental
Silver Dollar and Colonial Bills that both carried the words "We are One" more
appropriately designed "One Out of Many" (made or constructed out of many). This
gives National Testimony to the fact that as a nation, we sprang out from many
nations or tribes; see (Heb 11:8,11,12,21; Gen 35:11; Gen 48:19).
The Olive Branch- The Olive Branch held in the Eagles dexter (right) talon consists
of 13 leaves and 13 berries and the official explanation is that it signifies
peace. This is taken from the scriptures where the dove sent out by Noah returned
with an olive leaf in its beak (Gen 8:11). Also in the scriptures, the olive tree
is one of the earliest and most sacred symbols of nationality (Jer 11:16). Israel
is likened unto an "olive tree" (Rom 11:1-36; Hosea 14:5,6).
The Bundle of Arrows- The bundle of arrows in the Eagle's sinister (left) talon
consists of 13 arrows fledged with 13 feathers. The statute only states, pertaining
to the arrows, "all proper", they have universally been represented on the Arms
with "points upward" and outward. The Arrows are most appropriately given the
secondary or sinister place in the grasp of the Eagle's talon. America prefers
peace to war. We offer first the right hand of friendship. However, we are prepared
for conflict, self reliant, possessed of inexhaustible resources and confident in
Him who "prospered our beginnings". By combining these ideas with those of the
Olive Branch, we may read the symbolism of the arrows as meaning that it is the
cardinal principle of true Americanism that recourse to arms shall be for no other
purpose than the maintenance of a just cause having for its object the
establishment and preservation of unity and love. Arrows are also historically
symbolic of English Archers who were the most feared in the battlefield of the
Middle Ages. Further back in history, the bow and arrow was Israel's weapon (2
Chron 14:8; ! Chron. 12:2). In scriptural symbolism, the bundle of arrows represent
the weapon of the Almighty. It is the wounding, convicting of sin, "Arrow of the
Word" (Psalms 38:2).
The Crest- is composed of three essential parts. These are, in the order enumerated
by the Statute as follows:
1- The Glory- The primary significance of a "glory" is to denote the presence of
God (Psalm 63:2). This same Glory, in the form of a pillar of fire at night, gave
evidence to the Children of Israel in the Wilderness that the presence of God was
with them (Exodus 13:21). In choosing the Glory as part of our National Crest, we
have denoted the presence of the Lord, over, and in the midst of our Nation. Julia
Ward Howe sang of this "Glory" in the inspiring "Battle Hymn of the Republic", in
the following words. " Mine eyes have seen the Glory of the Coming of the Lord".
She, like the founders of our Republic, visioned the future establishment of the
Kingdom of Heaven on earth. She voiced this vision in the last stanza of her hymn,
which is generally sung and is almost unknown.
"He is coming like the Glory of the morning on the wave,
He is wisdom to the mighty, He is succor to the brave,
So the world shall be His footstool and the soul of time His slave,"
2-The Cloud- The Cloud which surrounds the Constellation in American heraldry is to
be represented, according to statute, as "proper". It is therefore designed to be
blazoned sable with its inner linings lightened (argent) and illuminated (in
roseate and sunset hues- "gules, purpose, etc.) by the effulgence of the stars that
it surrounds. The Cloud is represented as rolling back, that other stars may be in
time revealed and added to that group. In symbolism, the Cloud in rolling back,
indicates the breaking up of the storm of ignorance, injustice and oppression
before the dawning light of a new and potent constellation. But, this emblem has
deeper significance- that of covering and protecting. The Lord "sealeth up the
stars", explains Job-using the Hebrew idiom- "he covereth or compasseth them with
the clouds" (Job 9:7) "He spread a cloud for a covering" (Psalm 105:39; also see
Num 16:42; Exod 13:21;14:20; Num 9:17)
3-The Constellation- consists of 13 stars in the midst of the glory Cloud is
composed of pentagrams, or 5 pointed stars, so arranged that their groupings form a
hexagram, or 6 pointed star. A natural arrangement of the stars (in the
Constellation) was evidently in the minds of the Committee of 1779 and 1780, as
evidenced by the designs they had submitted. The American, radiant, five pointed,
silver star is believed to have constituted the seal or signet of King Solomon
(circ. 1000 B.C.) and in early times it was in use among the Hebrew people as a
symbol of safety. The Constellation of 13 stars was meant particularly to symbolize
this nation formed of 13 independent states. However, in Scriptural symbolism, they
also represent the 13 tribes of Israel (Gen 37:5-11).