The goddess Themis is a symbol of justice

The ancient gods left their mark on many aspects of modern life. One of these images, passing through the ages, is Themis. It is a modern symbol of the legal and all legal system, the image of the ancient goddess symbolizes the judicial system in many countries of the world.

Ancient gods

The idea that justice is a privilege of a deity, was still in ancient Egypt. The famous goddess Maat (Ma), which is the eye of Osiris, was a symbol of truth and justice. The symbol of the Egyptian goddess was a feather. Her statuette was an obligatory attribute of the judge's attire-she was hung around her neck, believing that the wisdom of the goddess would help make the right and fair decision. Other features of justice also had similar features. In general, although the court always personified a man, justice in many religions was personified by a woman - a daughter, wife or sister of a god.

Goddess of Justice

The mythology of ancient times did not escape this tendency and also made the goddess a symbol of justice. The female image of truth and justice is also present in later religions. Themis is the goddess of the pantheon of ancient Greece, personifying the law and lawful order in all earthly affairs. She came from the Titans and was the daughter of Gaia and Uranus. The goddess Themis is the first wife of Zeus. From a marriage with the lord of Olympus were born moury - the ruler of destinies. Themis always sits at the right hand of Zeus, gives him advice, reads the verdict.

Of course, such an important deity could not do without his own symbols. The main attributes of justice were the scales and the sword. Libra Themis is the emblem of justice, a balanced decision. The sword is a symbol of the inevitability of punishment. These symbols are still used in the judicial symbols of different countries.

Themis and Justice

Like any Greek deity, in the Roman pantheon, the goddess of justice had her own double. It turned out to be a great Justice - the Roman goddess of justice. A modern figure, symbolizing a fair trial, is more precisely Justice, not Themis. This judgment is confirmed by an additional attribute - a blindfold, which symbolizes equality and impartiality. Themis was administered by the Greek with open eyes. So there was a curious incident: in the modern world, the goddess of justice is called Themis, and portrayed as Justice.

Themis image

In general, the modern goddess Themis is necessarily depicted full dignity by a woman, in a long robe, with a blindfold. In her left hand she has scales, in the right hand she holds a sword. The point of the sword is bare, but it is omitted. The sword and scales belong to the main symbols of justice, the history of which is so ancient that it would be naive to ascribe such a visual emblem to only the ancient Greeks. Most likely, this emblem came to the shores of the Aegean Sea from some ancient, half-forgotten religion. The later symbols are a bandage and a mantle - they are only present in the Roman Justice.

The sword is the oldest symbol of spiritual and physical strength. The sword, which holds in the hands of Themis, is a symbol of just punishment. The sword blade is double-edged - after all, the law not only punishes the guilty, but also prevents crimes. It is symbolic that the goddess holds the sword in her right hand - it is a symbol of "just cause", a belief in justice.

Scales - the oldest emblem of measure and justice. On the scales of justice, the proofs of guilt and innocence, good and evil are constantly balancing. The scales are in the left hand, responsible for intuition and sensations.

The mantle is a ritual etiquette designed for certain ceremonial acts, in this case justice, symbolized by Themis. This garment emphasizes how important it is for a judge to wear a robe when carrying out her duties, leaving a civil dress for worldly affairs.

The blindfold symbolizes impartiality. A fair court must turn a blind eye to property, class distinctions and consider only fair facts. When considering a case, the judge must be blind, in the sense that both the plaintiff and the defendant for him only reflect the facets of the law.

Such a multifaceted perception of the symbols of the goddess of justice only emphasizes the ancient craving of mankind for justice. And the divine essence of Themis reflects an age-old desire for a final, supreme court, which, according to many beliefs, awaits us at the end of life's journey.