Meaning of justice symbol (what is, concept and definition)

What is Symbol of justice:

Today, the symbol of justice is the balance, which represents balance and equality. It is thus presumed that the balance expresses the search for a fair, precise and exact evaluation of the facts in question.

This symbol is a synthesis of different cultural traditions, such as the Egyptian and the Greek, which have given it its current meaning.

The Lady of Justice

The lady of justice constitutes an allegory of justice inspired by Greek mythology, particularly the goddess Themis, whose Roman equivalent is Iustitia.

The attributes of Themis or Istitia make it the representation of equality, strength and impartiality. Those attributes are: the scale, the sword and the blindfold.

The balance of the lady of justice is in balance, symbolically representing equality before the law and the "just" measure to be taken by the judge.

The sword represents the strength or firmness of the decision that has been made, which cannot be evaded by the judged.

Finally, blindfolds represent the value of fairness. Justice does not stop to look at the origin or the social position of each one, but determines what is correct according to the laws. This is where the popular saying comes from: "Justice is blind."

However, some depictions of the lady of justice are not blindfolded.

See also:

• Justice, Equity, Strength.

The balance in Egyptian culture

The Osiris Trial. Egyptian art.

The oldest record of the balance related to the meaning of justice belongs to the Egyptian culture. For the ancient Egyptians, the soul of the deceased had to face different stages before being able to reach the beyond.

The Egyptians had three gods linked to the ritual of death: Anubis, Tot and Osiris. Once the soul had gone through different tests, it had to appear before these gods, who subjected it to one last test.

The test consisted of placing the human heart on one of the plates of a scale, which was believed to have recorded good deeds. In the other plate of the balance the so-called "truth pen" was placed. This was an ostrich feather that, according to tradition, contained evil deeds. If the heart weighed more than the pen, the person could access the last dwelling.