Justitia - The Origin, Symbolism, and History of the Justice Symbol
9
minute
28/02/2025
Zoltán Kéri
Introduction:
Justitia is the goddess of justice, embodying justice and the moral content of law in Western culture. She is often referred to as “Lady Justice,” the eternal symbol of justice. In her depictions, she holds a sword in one hand, scales in the other, and her eyes are often covered - these symbols all represent the principles of justice. In our article, we review Justitia’s origin in Roman mythology (legal historical aspect), symbolism - with particular attention to the meaning and historical development of the sword, scales, and blindfold - and her role in justice from the Middle Ages to the present. Finally, we also discuss how she appears in modern legal systems (especially in Europe), for example, in the architecture of courthouses and in the logos of institutions.
The Origin of Justitia in Roman Mythology (Legal Historical Background)
Justitia (in Latin Iustitia, meaning “justice”) was originally the goddess of truth, justice, and moral strength in Roman mythology. For the Romans, she was equivalent to the Greek goddesses Dike and Themis, but her roots go even deeper. In ancient Egypt, there was already a goddess personifying truth, Maat, who embodied order and perfect balance, with her priests essentially acting as judges. The concept of legality also appeared among the ancient Greeks in the symbolic representation of a female figure.
Among the Romans, the cult of Justitia was not initially among the most widespread. During the Republic, they rather revered the related goddess Aequitas, who personified legal equality and fairness and was often depicted as a female figure holding scales. The independent cult of Justitia only developed during the imperial era, under the reign of Tiberius, when the goddess of justice received the characteristic attributes of Aequitas. In this early period, Roman coins depicted Justitia as a young woman holding a cup in one hand and a scepter in the other - she was only exceptionally depicted with scales or a cornucopia at that time. The symbol system known today - the goddess of justice appearing with a sword, scales (and later a blindfold) - developed over the subsequent centuries. In artworks across Europe, the figure of Justitia only began to appear from the 13th century, usually depicted with a sword (sword) and a two-armed scale in her hands.
The Symbols of Justitia: The Meaning of the Scales and Sword, and the Symbolism of the Blindfold
The three main attributes of Justitia’s depictions - the scales, the sword, and the blindfold - all hold symbolic significance, with a long history of development behind them. Over the centuries, these symbols have been refined and have become universal icons of justice. Below, we examine what they symbolize and how they developed:
- Scales: The scales in Justitia’s hand represent the weighing of truth and impartial judgment. This is the symbol of balance and justice, indicating that evidence and arguments must be thoroughly weighed. Additionally, the scales represent the equal rights of the parties involved in the proceedings, symbolizing that everyone is equal before the law. The motif of the scales appeared in depictions of justice as early as antiquity - think of the goddess Maat, who weighed hearts against a feather during the judgment of the afterlife. Thus, Justitia’s scales also refer to the balance between divine and earthly justice.
- Sword: The sword (sword) in Justitia’s hand symbolizes the power of the law and the punitive authority of justice. The raised or ready-to-strike sword suggests that the guilty must be justly punished - it represents the enforceability and authority of the law. The sword also symbolizes protection: the defense of truth against falsehood and injustice. It frequently appeared in medieval depictions as the powerful, judgmental side of justice. It is important to emphasize that the sword does not represent violence, but the maintenance of order and punishment - it always rises or strikes in the service of justice.
- Blindfold: Justitia depicted with a blindfold - according to the common saying - conveys that “justice is blind.” In reality, the blindfold expresses objectivity and impartiality: it symbolizes that a just judge does not discriminate between people based on power or rank, and their judgment cannot be influenced by money or prejudice. They only “weigh” the actions and evidence - symbolically with the scales - without seeing who committed them. It is important to note that this symbol was not always part of Justitia’s depiction: according to art historical data, the goddess of justice was only endowed with a blindfold from the 15th century. Depictions of Justitia with a blindfold became widespread throughout Europe during the 16th–17th centuries, emphasizing the ideal of judicial impartiality expected in the then-forming modern legal systems. Nevertheless, covering the eyes with a cloth did not become exclusive everywhere: in the 18th–19th centuries and even today, many depictions of Justitia are created without a blindfold, with open eyes. In such cases, the female figure often still symbolizes justice, with the artistic tradition or the client’s taste deciding whether impartiality is expressed without the blindfold (for example, with other attributes or posture).
The Symbolic Role of Justitia from the Middle Ages to the Modern Era
The allegorical figure of Justitia was incorporated into European Christian culture during the Middle Ages as the symbol of justice and one of the four cardinal virtues. In medieval and Renaissance art, she is often encountered under the names Justitia or Prudentia (Justice and Prudence), depicted alongside other virtues (Temperance, Courage). Typically, she appears as a crowned or haloed female figure, equipped with scales and a sword, indicating that earthly justice has divine legitimacy. Statues, frescoes, seals, and miniatures preserved this symbol: for example, the figure of Justice can be seen on the portals of many cathedrals or on the decorations of town halls, weighing with scales and guarding the law with a sword.
From the 13th century onwards - as legal historical research also supports - the use of Justitia’s figure as a symbol of secular judgment became increasingly widespread. In the late Middle Ages and early modern period, the allegory of justice was used throughout Europe to illustrate court scenes, royal law books, and decorate legal buildings. The blindfold motif was a product of the new mindset emerging at the turn of the 15th–16th centuries: during the age of humanism and the Reformation, the demand for judicial independence and impartiality intensified, which artists conveyed with the blindfold. It was during this era that the saying first appeared, suggesting that “justice is blind,” indicating that true justice does not consider the person. However, many contemporary depictions - especially during the Baroque period - continued to show Justitia without a blindfold, with open eyes, emphasizing sharp vision and wise judgment as the condition for correct judicial decisions. This interesting duality illustrates how legal scholars and artists of the time debated whether the ideal goddess of Justice should be blind or not. The consensus eventually became that the blindfold vividly expresses impartiality, while open eyes can symbolize careful judgment - both are important virtues of justice.
The Enlightenment and the modern era further reinforced Justitia’s symbolism. During the 18th–19th centuries, as courthouse palaces and town halls were being built across Europe, Justitia’s figure became an indispensable decorative element. Her statue was often placed on the main facades or at the entrances of courtrooms, indicating that the institution operated according to the principles of law and justice. For example, in the 19th century in Hungary, many new courthouse buildings were adorned with Justitia statues: in Nyíregyháza, two Justitias were placed on the county hall’s facade (one with a sword, the other with scales and a laurel wreath), and in Szeged, the figure of Justitia still stands on the pediment of the courthouse in a classicizing style. These artworks served to legitimize the contemporary legal system, conveying a clear message to the viewer: here justice reigns. Thus, Justitia has accompanied the development of law from the Middle Ages to the modern era, always reminding us that legislation must be based on the ideal of justice.
Justitia in Modern European Legal Systems and Symbol Usage Today
The marble statue of Justitia in the building of the Hungarian Curia (Supreme Court), a work by Alajos Strobl from 1896. The statue depicts justice with a sword and scales, wearing a crown instead of a blindfold.
In modern legal systems - particularly in Europe - the figure of Justitia remains a central symbol of justice. She can be found in almost every European country’s court architecture: on the facades of courts and appellate courts, in courtrooms, or lobbies, the statue or relief of the goddess of justice is often seen. This symbolic presence is not merely decorative but is intended to indicate that the institution judges according to the principles of equality before the law and justice. In Hungary, an iconic example is the Justitia statue in the Curia building (see the image above), but similarly well-known is the gilded Justitia towering on the roof of the Old Bailey, London’s central criminal court, proclaiming without a blindfold, with scales and a sword: “Everyone is equal before the law.”
Justitia or one of her attributes often appears in the emblems and logos of justice. Many European ministries of justice, bar associations, or courts have the scales (as the measure of justice) or a stylized figure of Justitia in their official crests. For example, the emblem of the Court of Justice of the European Union features the scales motif, referring to the uniform and impartial application of EU law. Similarly, the seals of national courts, the crests of law schools, or even the logos of police forensic institutes frequently include the scales and sword as icons of law and justice. All this shows that Justitia’s message - fairness, impartiality, and just judgment - is still a living part of legal culture.
It is interesting to observe that in the globalized visual culture, the figure of Justitia transcends Europe: she is recognized worldwide and revered as a universal symbol of justice. From American courts to international courts (such as the International Court of Justice in The Hague), the motif of a female figure depicted with scales and a sword is often encountered. In many places, artistic interpretations have also renewed the image over time - modern sculptures, paintings, and even digital graphics feature the figure of Lady Justice. Yet her fundamental message remains unchanged.
Conclusion
Justitia, the eternal symbol of justice, has a history spanning thousands of years and has accompanied humanity’s pursuit of justice throughout the history of law. Her figure, originating from Roman mythology, still reminds us today that justice must embody the highest virtues: impartiality, fairness, and consistent justice. The trio of scales, sword, and blindfold has evolved into a symbolic system over the centuries, succinctly expressing the essence of these concepts. Whether it is the facade of a courthouse, an institution’s logo, or a saying, the iconic figure of Justitia conveys: “everyone is equal before justice, and the law firmly holds the balance and sword in equilibrium.” This thought ensures that the figure of Justitia will continue to hold her place among the symbols of law and justice, inspiring all those who strive for justice.
