Actually the blindfolded woman is the goddess Themis - suggesting that balance (and justice) need to be provided to the human race.
OR it is merely another indication/symptom of humankind's need to:
project its ideals and desires into an anthropomorphic form,
label it "beyond them" and
use it as a standard "rule and guide" which cannot be contested.
Such practice has characterized humankind from its beginnings. It truly is endearing though to know that humans must make such ideals personal for them to be taken seriously. I think that it is a trait that has allowed for some tremendous creativity, of which, latter generations have benefited emensely.
Actually the blindfolded woman is the goddess Themis - suggesting that balance (and justice) need to be provided to the human race.
"Themis (Greek: Θέμις) is an ancient Greek Titan. She is described as "of good counsel", and is the embodiment of divine order, law, and custom. Themis means "divine law" rather than human ordinance, literally "that which is put in place", from the verb τίθημι, títhēmi, "to put""
She seems a little Masonic in her virtues.
Don't mistake the symbol for that which it sybolizes.
They say Japan was made by a sword. They say the old gods dipped a coral blade into the ocean, and when they pulled it out four perfect drops fell back into the sea, and those drops became the islands of Japan. I say, Japan was made by a handful of brave men. Warriors, willing to give their lives for what seems to have become a forgotten word: honor. -The Last Samurai
The protection of individual rights is the only legitimate function of govenment. Such a society will be "balanced."
individual rights and the protection thereof varies greatly amongst societies that considder themselves balanced.. societies written and unwritten "rules" of what is allowed or not allowed, r the foundation for the rights of the individual and the measure of protection of those..
a nations law reflects its societies balance, but is not the cause of it..
Individual rights exist regardless of govenment. This is the princple that the US was founded upon. That is why theyare called "unalienable" in the Declaration of Independance; "We are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights..."
If rights are "granted" by government, they then become, not rights, but privilages, which can be taken away by that same government. See the difference?
They say Japan was made by a sword. They say the old gods dipped a coral blade into the ocean, and when they pulled it out four perfect drops fell back into the sea, and those drops became the islands of Japan. I say, Japan was made by a handful of brave men. Warriors, willing to give their lives for what seems to have become a forgotten word: honor. -The Last Samurai
A society can only deal with "balance" through the rule of law. That is why the symbol for justice is the scales, held by a blindfolded woman holding a sword. This means that justice is blind, in the sense that a decision is to be made based on a perponderance of evidence, and not personal bias.
My interpretation of the statue would be that mortal eyes are unable to decide what is just. We are blind to the intent, circumstances and other criteria which bring things/events about, therefore sword is rested, it is not for us to use in retribution. The scales alone will decide what is needed to bring equilibrium. These are the scales which belong to Ma'at. The scales that measure the Truth (about us).
What is the difference between a Crusader and a Terrorist?
What is the difference between a brainwashed youth and savvy politicians and businessmen for all of whom war means victory and power and glory?
Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting…trailing clouds of glory do we come from God, who is our home -Wordsworth
What you sow, you reap. (Wonder if I have started a thread on reincarnation.) I think I will rename Themis, Karma.
Mildness is the only thing which will eventually overcome violence (remember Ghandi) ... and 'mildness' is what Freemasonry is all about. (Jesus taught his followers to turn the other cheek, for forgive 70 x 70).
So easy to say, so hard to achieve.
I also believe that an individual's rights are only legitimate in so far as they do not intrude upon the rights of others.
Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting…trailing clouds of glory do we come from God, who is our home -Wordsworth
over here the blindfold stands for all being regarded equal (being unable to see appearance etc).. the scales stand for the process of determining guilt (weighing the facts) and the sword represents the sentence..
personally id have the scales represent punishment that fits the crime..
What is the difference between a Crusader and a Terrorist?
a terrorist doesnt necessarily aim to occupy a site of religious importance.. did u mean to ask the difference between 2 ppl that fight a "holy" war? in that case it is often the culture they were raised in.. the level of education (which u need to promote mildness) has a large effect on the amount of ppl willing to fight such a war..
What is the difference between a brainwashed youth and savvy politicians and businessmen for all of whom war means victory and power and glory?
a criminal mind? lack of moral fiber / empathy? and on the brainwashed youths side, lack of education and involvement in affairs..
The sword is definitely 'at rest' ... if it was ready for use the thumb would be at the fore.
Right side of the body for me represents outer world and its workings, Left side the inner world and its workings. Why do Freemasons step off with the left foot?
Justice like Truth cannot be fully appreciated from our perspective.
I still think that the artist who produced this work may have been saying that Justice WILL prevail... and we will not be relying on judges to administer it.
It would be an interesting exercise to know the background of the person who produced this work of art.
Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting…trailing clouds of glory do we come from God, who is our home -Wordsworth