The origin of the Goddess of Justice goes back to antiquity. She was referred to as Ma'at by the ancient Egyptians and was often depicted carrying a sword with an ostrich feather in her hair (but no scales) to symbolize truth and justice.
To the ancient Greeks she was known as Themis, originally the organizer of the "communal affairs of humans, particularly assemblies." Her ability to foresee the future enabled her to become one of the oracles at Delphi, which in turn led to her establishment as the goddess of divine justice. Classical representations of Themis did not show her blindfolded (because of her talent for prophecy, she had no need to be blinded) nor was she holding a sword (because she represented common consent, not coercion).
Lady Justice (Latin: Justitia), the Roman goddess of Justice, is an allegorical personification of the moral force in judicial systems. Often portrayed as evenly balancing both scales and a sword and wearing a blindfold. She was sometimes portrayed holding the fasces (a bundle of rods around an ax symbolizing judicial authority) in one hand and a flame in the other (symbolizing truth).
Representations of the Lady of Justice in the Western tradition occur in many places and at many times. She sometimes wears a blindfold, but more often she appears without one. She usually carries a sword and scales. Almost always draped in flowing robes, mature but not old; she symbolizes the fair and equal administration of the law, without corruption, avarice, prejudice, or favor.
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