Origins of Lady of Justice
The
origin may be Themis, a Greek
mythological goddess. One of the Titans, pre-Hellenic nature deities born to Uranus and Ge, she remained and advised Zeus after his purge of the old
pantheon. In depictions of her, she carries the scales of justice in one hand
and a sword in the other, her eyes covered. She became an oracle at Delphi, and became known as a goddess of
divine justice.
A daughter of Themis and Zeus, Dike, known as a goddess of
justice but not divine justice, presided over the apportionment of things among
mortals, the protection of individuals and the keeping of social and political
order. She carried a sword without a scale of justice. At times Dike is said to be the same (or is she
confused with?) Astraea. Astraea is also said to be a daughter of
Themis and Zeus and is known as a goddess of justice. Also known as daughter
of Eos and Astraeus 1, her head was crowned with ears of grain and for its
measure carried a balance or scale. Astraea
was the last of the immortals to leave earth after the Golden Age. She has also
been called a goddess of purity and innocence. She became the constellation Virgo. Dike left earth when the Race of Bronze was born.
The Egyptians honored Maat, the
daughter of the sun god, Ra. She also
carried a sword but without a scale of justice.
Justitia, a Roman goddess of justice,
wore a blindfold. She had been depicted with sword and scales, but was not
always so.
Representations of the Lady of Justice in the Western tradition occur in many
places and at many times. She sometimes wears a blindfold, more so in Europe, but more often she appears
without one. She usually carries a sword and scales. Almost always draped in
flowing robes, mature but not old, no longer commonly known as Themis, she
symbolizes the fair and equal administration of the law, without corruption,
avarice, prejudice, or favor.
For an excellent resource in learning about the Greek Gods in Mythology,
see Greek Mythology Link by
Carlos Parada
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