Ma’at
Goddess of Truth, Justice, Balance, and Order
Primordial deity
Place of Origin: Ancient Egypt
Origin Date: Ma’at's veneration began during the Early Dynastic Period of Ancient Egypt (c. 3100–2686 BCE) and continued to be prominent throughout Pharaonic history.
Domain: Truth, Justice, Cosmic balance, and Order
Symbols: Ostrich feather, and Scales of justice
Attributes: Upholder of justice, morality, and cosmic order. - Embodiment of truth.
Epithets: Lady of Truth, Mistress of the Scales, and Daughter of Ra
Equivalents: Ma’at has no direct equivalent in other religions, but similar principles appear in concepts like Dharma in Hinduism or Cosmic Order in Zoroastrianism.
Sacred Texts: The Book of the Dead (c. 1550 BCE), and The Pyramid Texts (c. 2400–2300 BCE).
Iconography: Typically depicted as a woman wearing an ostrich feather or as the feather itself. In some artistic depictions, she is shown with outstretched arms, forming the wings of balance.
Religion: Egyptian mythology
Description:
Ma’at represents the concepts of truth, cosmic balance, and order, which were central to Ancient Egyptian belief. She was both a deity and a philosophical principle. Her significance extended to the moral and spiritual order governing the universe and human society. In Egyptian cosmology, she was considered the foundation of creation and the principles of balance on which the gods and the world were structured. Pharaohs were regarded as the enforcers of Ma’at, tasked with maintaining harmony.
Her depiction is often as a woman with an ostrich feather (a symbol of truth) atop her head. Ma’at's feather was central to the "Weighing of the Heart" ceremony in the afterlife, where a deceased person's heart was measured against her feather to determine their worthiness for eternal life.
Narratives:
The Creation of the Universe and Ma’at (c. 3100 BCE)
Summary: Ma’at is established as the principle of cosmic order during the creation of the universe. She is depicted as the force that transforms chaos into harmony, ensuring the balance of nature and society. Her role is central to the stability of the cosmos and the divine authority of Ra, the sun god.
Source: Dorman, P. F. (2005). The Creation Myths of Ancient Egypt. University of Chicago Press.
The Weighing of the Heart (c. 2375–2345 BCE)
Summary: In the Pyramid Texts, Ma’at plays a pivotal role in the judgment of the dead. The hearts of the deceased are weighed against Ma’at’s feather to determine their worthiness for the afterlife. This story emphasizes her role as the goddess of truth, justice, and morality.
Source:
Faulkner, R. O. (1972). The Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead. University of Texas Press.
Baines, J. (2001). The Pyramid Texts and the Afterlife. Oxford University Press.
Ma’at and the Kingship of Egypt (c. 1550 BCE)
Summary: Ma’at is closely associated with the pharaohs, who are seen as her earthly representatives. The pharaohs are tasked with upholding Ma’at to maintain order and justice in the kingdom. This story highlights the integration of Ma’at into the political and religious framework of ancient Egypt.
Source: Redford, D. B. (1992). Egypt, Canaan, and Israel in Ancient Times. Princeton University Press.
Ma’at and the Solar Barque (c. 1500 BCE)
Summary: Ma’at is depicted as standing at the head of Ra’s solar barque as it travels through the sky and the underworld. Her presence ensures the smooth journey of the sun and the continuation of cosmic order.
Source: Wilkinson, R. H. (2003). The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt. Thames & Hudson.
The Book of the Dead and Ma’at (c. 1550–1070 BCE)
Summary: In the Book of the Dead, Ma’at is a central figure in guiding the deceased through the afterlife. Her principles are invoked in spells and prayers to ensure a successful journey and acceptance into the Field of Reeds.
Source: Faulkner, R. O. (1994). The Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead. British Museum Press.
Worship Beliefs and Practices:
Ma’at was not worshipped in large temple cults like some deities but was central to daily life and the governance of Egypt. Her principles guided laws, rituals, and the actions of individuals. Pharaohs made offerings to Ma’at, symbolizing their role as upholders of universal order. Her iconography occasionally appeared in temple reliefs, and priests might invoke her in prayers and ceremonies.