“The United States pioneers and fathers were convinced that their own beliefs and principles were superior to all others and universally valid for all societies. This superiority and universality of the American nation are suggested by the shape of the pyramid, which has four faces, representing the four cardinal points of the globe. But, as one moves from the base to the apex of the image, the faces disappear.

The 13 layers of the pyramid below the apex represent the 13 colonies in the initial period, which encompassed immigrants from different parts of the world. This movement in the image indicates that when one moves from the base, where the nations of the earth are represented, up to the apex, traces of race and belief disappear, and one ascends to a universal humanity connected to God. That universal humanity was to be personified in the world through the American nation. The design communicates the idea that the ‘new world’ is not a specific race or religion, but a new humanity, whose plan is to become close to God; that is the Great American project.” (Vanderlei Dorneles, The Last Empire, 2015, p.112-113)