Conspiracy theorists frequently point to the design of the US Dollar Bill -- specifically the reverse of the Great Seal, as depicted on the Dollar Bill -- as evidence of Masonic influence at the very highest positions in government. In particular, they point to the All-Seeing Eye -- which they say is a Masonic symbol -- and to the legend underneath, 'Novus Ordo Seclorum', which is frequently translated as 'New World Order'. Therefore, they conclude, the Freemasons are proclaiming that their desire is to create a New World Order.

This argument is flawed on both counts. First, the 'All-Seeing Eye', while used by Freemasons to remind themselves of the omnipresence of God (see left), is not a Masonic symbol; rather, it is a very old representation of the Deity. And neither is the pyramid a Masonic symbol. Since the design of the Great Seal dates to the late 18th century, the unfinished pyramid has thirteen levels -- one for each state in the Union at that time. Seen in this context, the All-Seeing Eye is there to suggest that the people of America will depend on Divine guidance as they begin to develop their new Nation. 'Novus Ordo Seclorum', meanwhile, should actually be translated as the far more benign 'A New Order for the Ages' -- a note of optimism to go with the start of the new nation and a representative government.