The Great Seal
Of The
Bahia Shrine Potentate of 2005

The Great Seal of the Bahia Potentate of 2005, the official seal of the Potentate of that year.  The dominant figure in the center is two pyramids with a globe of the world between them. The two pyramids are representative of the two areas of the Shrine.  The pyramid on the left represents the fraternity or fun side of the Shrine, and has an actual copy of the 2005 Potentates Jewel on it, and the word Bahia under it.  The pyramid on the right represents Shriners Hospitals for Children or the philanthropic side of the Shrine.  This pyramid has the “Editorial without Words” symbol on it and the number 2005 under it.  Between the two pyramids is a globe or impression of the planet earth, with the word Orlando placed diagonally on it.  The meaning of this is that the Shrine with its two areas represented by the two pyramids, is the best fraternity on the face of the earth. 

At the zenith of the two pyramids, and above the world, on a banner that is an exact replica of the one that bears the name of the Potentate on his Jewel of office, are the words “Fun with a Purpose”. This is symbolic in that the word “fun” is over the fraternity pyramid, and the word “purpose” is over the Pyramid representing Shriners Hospitals for Children.  Directly under both pyramids and the world is the name of the Bahia Shrine Potentate for the year 2005, “Gary J. Bergenske”. At the top and in the center of the banner is the motif of the Masonic emblem containing the square and compass, and within them is the letter “G”. 

Above the banner are four flags, representing the countries that the “Ancient Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine of North America” are active in.  There you see the waving flags of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Panama. 

Below the pyramids, is the Shriners symbol made up of a Symetar and Crescent.  The Crescent has the motif of a Sphinx head with two claws in a downward position.  The Egyptian Symetar goes through the Crescent and has the numbers “1955” and “2005” on it.  This represents the 50th Anniversary of the Bahia Shrine in Orlando Florida.  A field of dark blue is the background color through out the center of the seal. 

This entire design is surrounded by 50 five pointed stars, each one representing one of the 50 years of Bahia’s existence.  Surrounding the 50 stars is a band of Gold in honor of the Golden Anniversary and to represent strength and eternity. There is no end to what we can accomplish! 

Surrounding the entire seal in black letters on a golden background are the words, “Seal of the Potentate of Bahia Shrine - Orlando, Fl. 2005”