The image of the lady of Justice

Introduction of the lady of Justice
Artwork depicting the Lady of Justice statue, whether in the form of paintings, sculptures, coats of arms or metal statues, is found throughout the world. If you’re in North or South America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Southern and Eastern Asia, and Australasia, you will likely see the Lady of Justice statue in courthouses, law offices and legal, and educational institutions. The history of the Lady Justice statue goes back many thousands of years, and she typically carries symbols of justice.

The History of Lady Justice
The concept of Lady Justice is very old, dating back to ancient Greek and Egyptian times. Themis, the Greek goddess, represented law, order, and justice, while the Egyptians had Ma’at, who stood for order and carried both a sword and the Feather of Truth. The most direct comparison, however, is with the Roman goddess of justice, Justitia.
Origins of the Lady Justice Statue
Some of the first images similar to the Lady of Justice date back to the Egyptian goddess Maat, who signified truth and order in that ancient society. Later, the ancient Greeks worshipped the goddess Themis, the personification of divine law and custom, and her daughter, Dike, whose name means "justice." Dike was always depicted carrying a pair of balance scales, and it was believed that she ruled over human law.
The ancient Romans revered Justitia or lustitia, who most closely resembles the Lady of Justice statues formed in more modern times. She represented the morality of the justice system.

What Does She Look Like?
The Lady Justice statue is usually in the form of a woman who is standing or sitting. She is typically dressed in a togalike robe, maybe barefoot, and her hair is either flowing over her shoulders or braided in a bun or around her head. She holds a balance, or twotray scale in one hand and a sword in the other; usually, the scales are in the left hand and the sword in the right, but this is not always so. Sometimes, she also wears a blindfold over her eyes.

The Symbols of Justice
Balance Scales: These represent impartiality and the obligation of the law (through its representatives) to weigh the evidence presented to the court. Each side of a legal case needs to be looked at, and comparisons made as justice is done.
Sword: This item symbolizes enforcement and respect and means that justice stands by its decision and ruling and is able to take action. The fact that the sword is unsheathed and very visible is a sign that justice is transparent and is not an implement of fear. A doubleedged blade signifies that justice can rule against either of the parties once the evidence has been perused, and it is bound to enforce the ruling as well as protect or defend the innocent party.

Blindfold: This first appeared on a Lady Justice statue in the 16th century and has been used intermittently since then. Apparently, its original significance was that the judicial system was tolerating abuse or ignorance of aspects of the law. However, in modern times, the blindfold represents the impartiality and objectivity of the law and that it doesn't let outside factors, such as politics, wealth or fame, influence its decisions.
Conclusion
Thus, the Lady Justice is an enduring symbol of fairness and equality, transcends cultural boundaries and has a rich history steeped in both reverence and critique. From her origins in ancient civilisations to her contemporary interpretations, this iconic figure reflects society's evolving understanding of justice while simultaneously bearing the weight of colonial legacies that have shaped legal systems around the world.