Ma'at

The Goddess of Truth & Justice

Cult Center: Throughout Egypt.

Attributes: The goddess Ma'at represents the ideals of law, order, and truth. The word, Ma'at translates "that which is straight." it implies anything that is true, ordered, or balanced. She was the female counterpart of Thoth. We know she is a very ancient goddess because we find her in the boat of Ra as it rose above the waters of the abyss of Nu on the first day. Together with Thoth, they charted the daily course of the sun god Ra. She is sometimes called the 'eye of Ra' or the 'daughter of Ra'.

Ma'at also plays an important part in the Book of the Dead. It is in the Hall of Ma'at the judgement of the dead was performed. This was done by weighing one's heart (conscience) against the feather of Ma'at. If a balance was struck the deceased was deemed to be worthy of meeting Osiris in the after life. If the heart of the deceased was found to be heavier then the feather of Ma'at it would be devoured by Ammut.

Representation: A woman wearing a tall ostrich feather on her head. Or an ostrich feather.

Relations: Daughter of Ra, wife of Thoth.

Copyright © 2010 Tim Stouse
Last modified: December 10, 2010

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