Lady Justice: Themis Themis, Also

Lady Justice: Themis

Themis, also known as Lady Justice, embodies the goddess of divine justice in Greek mythology. One of the twelve Titans, the oldest Gods from Greek mythology, Themis is the daughter of Uranus, the God of the Sky, and Gaia, the Goddess of the Earth, and also the second wife of Zeus, preceding Hera, the Queen of Gods. A divinity of first rank, Themis lives in Olimpus, where she resides in peaceful faith and harmony with everyone, being the only one of the Titans to be accepted by the great Olimpus Gods.

One of the most ancient and sacrosanct goddesses, Themis is the embodiment of divine order, law and custom - the traditional rules of conduct first established by the gods. She is recognized as one of the prime counselors of Zeus -- the father of all gods, the supreme leader -- being often represented as seated beside his throne, advising him on the precepts of divine law and the rules of fate. Themis, thus, seconds Zeus, her primary function in Olimpus, according to Homer, being that of convoking the meetings of both gods and men. It is she who summons the Gods to assembly and keeps order at their banquets. She is the one to instruct men in the ways of obedience of laws and peace. She also presides over the proper relationship between man and woman. Homer presents her both as a goddess and as a normal human being, indicating, thus, the universal equilibrium of justice.

Themis, the Goddess of Justice, is often depicted as carrying a scale in one hand -- symbol of the impartiality with which justice is served, the balance of justice -- and a sword in the other -- symbolizing the power held by those who make the decision, the force of law.

Themis is also said to have had the gift of prophecy, being acknowledged as the predecessor of Apollo, the God of Oracles, presiding many ancient earthly oracles, including the one from Delphi. In fact, some say she was the one to build the Oracle at Delphi.

In Ancient Greek times, women play a significant role, having a high status, in terms of making decisions, proclaiming laws and establishing peace and justice. Themis is one of these divinities, one of the wise women with a high judgmental capacity. She is the daughter of Gaia, Goddess of Earth, deity that represents nature, "mother of all" and that's the way she was chosen to be born. Everything related to nature is a symbol of the feminine. The etymology of the English word "justice" comes from the Latin word "iustitia" which is a feminine subject, so the being empowered with the divine law of nature could only be in the hands of a woman and has feminine roots. Of course, this is a supreme being who was authorized by a greater power to represent law, order, equity and custom and was not only the wife of Zeus, but also his counselor. In pre-Hellenic times wiser women made the most important decisions. Perhaps a woman brings more balance into life, in every person. In ancient times, women had the best judgmental capacity and were the most important in taking decisions.