Why does Lady Justice have scales that are equal?

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"Lady Justice" is symbolic of equal justice meted out under the law. Known as "Justitia" to the Romans, she is frequently depicted as a blindfolded woman carrying a sword in the right hand and a set of equal scales in the left.

Roman Origins of Lady Justice

The Roman goddess Justitia (from whom we derive "justice") was a personification of the law. It was the Romans who adorned Justitia with the sword and scales, which originated from Greek mythology. They then added the blindfold, which was derived from Fortuna, the Roman goddess of luck.

Scales of Justice

The set of scales carried by Justitia are equal. The reasoning for equal scales is that at the beginning of a legal proceeding, the law must be balanced and impartial. As the legal case is built, the scales are tipped toward whoever has presented more evidence.

Roman Law

The Romans were a legal-minded society with a highly developed system of law. Modern criminal proceedings based on a prosecution and defense have substantial origins in Roman jurisprudence.

Greek Origins of Lady Justice

The contemporary depiction of Justice is a combination of Greek and Roman goddesses. The Greek Goddess Themis represented divinely ordained custom. If these customs were disobeyed, divine wrath would follow. Another Greek influence is Dike (Themis' daughter) who carried a set of scales and personified Justice. She interceded with Zeus to redress unlawful acts amongst mortals.

Ancient Egyptian symbolism

In Egyptian mythology, the heart of a person who has died is weighed on a scale against a feather belonging to the goddess Ma'at, who represents Truth. If the heart was heavier, the deceased was devoured, and thus denied entry into the afterlife.

Source:

University of Washington School of Law: Themis, Goddess of Justice

Tour Egypt: Judgment of the Dead

Crystalinks: Fortuna--Goddess of Luck

Crystalinks: Ancient Roman Law

Akademiai Journals Collection: The Scales as the Symbol of Justice in the Iliad

More Information:

Theoi: Dike

Mythography: Dike in Greek Mythology

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Why does Lady Justice have scales that are equal?

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