Lady Justice facts for kids
Lady Justice is a famous symbol that stands for fairness and the law. She is often shown as a woman with a blindfold, a set of scales, and a sword. These items all have special meanings. Lady Justice comes from an ancient Roman goddess named Iustitia. She is similar to the Greek goddesses Themis and Dike, who also represented justice.
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Who is the Goddess Iustitia?
Lady Justice started as Iustitia, the goddess of Justice in Roman mythology. Emperor Augustus introduced her, so she was not one of the oldest gods in the Roman pantheon.
Justice was a very important quality that Emperor Augustus wanted to be known for. A temple for Iustitia was built in Rome in 13 BC by Emperor Tiberius. Iustitia became a symbol of justice that every emperor wanted to connect with their rule. Emperor Vespasian even made coins with the goddess sitting on a throne. Many emperors after him used her image to show they were protectors of justice.
Even though she had a temple and was called a goddess, she was often seen more as an artistic symbol than a real god with religious meaning.
How is Lady Justice Shown?
The idea of a person representing justice with scales is very old. It goes back to the goddesses Maat and Isis in ancient Egypt. Later, the Greek goddesses Themis and Dike also represented justice. Themis was the symbol of divine order, law, and custom.
What Do the Scales Mean?
Lady Justice is usually shown holding a set of scales. She holds them in one hand, and they are used to weigh the arguments for and against a case.
The Greek goddess Dike was also shown holding scales. An ancient Greek writer, Bacchylides, wrote about a god holding "the balance of Dike (Justice)."
The scales show that all the evidence in a case should be carefully weighed. The scales often do not have a base, which means that evidence should stand on its own, without any bias.
Why Does She Wear a Blindfold?
Since the 1500s, Lady Justice has often worn a blindfold. This blindfold means impartiality. It shows that justice should be given to everyone equally, no matter how rich or powerful they are.
The first Roman coins showed Justitia with a sword and scales, but her eyes were open. She only started to be commonly shown as "blind" in the mid-1500s. The first known statue of blind Justice was made by Hans Gieng in 1543. It is on the Fountain of Justice in Berne, Switzerland.
What Does the Sword Mean?
The sword that Lady Justice holds stands for authority. In ancient times, a sword showed power. It also means that justice can be quick and final once a decision is made.
What About the Toga?
Lady Justice often wears a Greco-Roman style robe, like those worn in ancient Greece and Rome. This clothing symbolizes the serious and thoughtful attitude that justice should have.
Lady Justice in Art
- Justice in sculpture
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Lady Justice with sword, scales and blindfold on the Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen in Berne, Switzerland—1543
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The Justice, in front of the Supreme Court of Brazil
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Lady Justice seated at the entrance of The Palace of Justice, Rome, Italy
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Sculpture of Lady Justice on the Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen (Frankfurt) in Frankfurt, Germany
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Justitia, outside the Supreme Court of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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The Central Criminal Court or Old Bailey, London, UK
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Themis, Itojyuku, Shibuya-ku, Japan
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19th-century sculpture of the Power of Law at Olomouc, Czech Republic—lacks the blindfold and scales of Justice, replacing the latter with a book
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Themis, Chuo University, Tama-shi, Japan
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Themis, Chuo University Suginami high school, Suginami-ku, Japan
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The Law, by Jean Feuchère
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Shelby County Courthouse, Memphis, Tennessee, United States
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Themis, outside the Supreme Court of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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Justice by Diana Moore, Government Center, Newark, New Jersey
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Justitia in the Superior Courts Building in Budapest, Hungary
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Themis, Old courthouse, Ghent, Belgium
- Justice in relief
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Justiça, high-relief in front of Justice Palace, Campinas, Brazil
- Justice in painting
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Fresco in the Sala di Costantino, Raphael Rooms, Raphael, c. 1520
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Justitia (Spitzweg), Carl Spitzweg, c. 1857
Lady Justice and her symbols are also used in heraldry. This means they appear on coats of arms, especially for government groups that deal with law.
- Justice in heraldry
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Justitia in arms of Ilshofen in Baden-Württemberg
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Scales and sword in the arms of a Swedish court of law
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Scales balanced on a sword in the arms of Hörby
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Prudentia and Justitia as supporters in the armorial achievement of Landskrona
- Justice in numismatics
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Justice holding scales, $0.50 U.S. fractional currency.
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Images for kids
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Justitia (Spitzweg), Carl Spitzweg, 1857
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See also
In Spanish: Justicia (mitología) para niños
