The wife of Thoth, Ma'at's name means "Truth", "Justice", and perhaps even "Tao". It cannot readily be rendered into English but "truth" is perhaps a satisfactory translation. Ma'at was represented as a tall woman with an ostrich feather in her hair. She was present at the judgement of the dead; her feather was balanced against the heart of the deceased to determine whether he had led a pure and honest life. All civil laws in Egypt were held up to the "Law of Ma'at", which essentially was a series of old conceptions and morals dating to the earliest times in Egypt. A law contrary to the Law of Ma'at would not have been considered valid in Egypt.

The feather of Ma'at was an ostrich plume. She wore it on her head. The chief justice of Egypt began court hearings by wearing the feather of Maat. Judgment was symbolized by handing the feather to the successful party in token of a favorable decision.

SEE ALSO Thoth.

Egyptian Gods

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