Themis: Goddess of Justice

D I C T U M S O C I E T Y Themis: Goddess Justice Themis: Goddess Justice ofof

The godly representation of justice and order in Greek society was bestowed upon the daughter of Uranus and Gaea, who were the god of Heaven and the goddess of Earth; parents to Goddess Themis.

The word 'Themis ' is synonymous to 'Order ' in

Greek speak and thus Themis was immortalised as a personification of justice, goddess of wisdom, good counsel, and the interpreter of the gods ' will. True to her name she maintained order at Olympus, instructing the first primal laws of justice and wove the sentiments of morality among mankind. The socio-cultural and ethical functions of members of the society were also governed by Themis over the principles of hospitality, piety and conduct.

Themis

' s appearance is internationally emulated in the form of Lady Justice. Draped in the responsibilities of laws she carries for the world her beam balance to represent impartiality and the obligation of law among all citizens. Most commonly, she is seen wearing a blindfold to establish that Themis and all representations of her kind are unaffected by the perception of who is being tried before the law and does not let any bias stream into her decisions. The existence of the sword if present, represents the power of justice and law. Themis was God of Sky, Zeus ' s counsellor who sat enthroned beside him. She advised him on the conduct of men, reporting on those who breached the primal laws laid down by the gods. This was done with the support of their daught Goddess Dike who was the Goddess of Justice and moral order as an extension of her mother.