Maat — The Goddess of Justice
In ancient Egypt, the concept of Maat stood at the very heart of society's beliefs and practices. Maat embodied the foundational principles of order, truth, and justice that ancient Egyptians held dear. They saw it as the cosmic force that ensured the universe operated harmoniously, from the predictable change of seasons to the reliable patterns of the stars. Today we discuss the goddess Maat who personified the cosmic concept of order and how she was depicted in the YA fantasy novel, Treasures of Egypt: the Spear & the Scythe.
Who was Maat?
The goddess Maat was the personification of the cosmic order in ancient Egypt and served as the blueprint for moral and physical harmony in the world. Adorned with the iconic "Feather of Truth," she represented the ideal state of balance and fairness that Egyptians aspired to in their personal lives and the society at large. Living in accordance with Maat's principles was believed to ensure a harmonious life and a favorable judgment in the afterlife.
Maat's responsibilities extended far beyond the realm of human affairs. She was tasked with maintaining the balance of the entire cosmos. This balance was not limited to ethical concerns but encompassed the natural world, ensuring that celestial bodies moved correctly, and natural cycles like the flooding of the Nile occurred in a timely and beneficial manner. Maat's role was seen as so integral to the functioning of the universe that the Egyptians believed that her principles were embedded in the fabric of existence itself, from the smallest grain of sand to the mightiest pharaoh and even the gods themselves.
The Ceremony of the Weighing of the Heart
The belief in an afterlife was central to ancient Egyptian religion, and Maat played a pivotal role in the journey of the soul after death. The "Weighing of the Heart" ceremony was a crucial test that determined one's eligibility for the afterlife. In this ritual, the deceased's heart was weighed against Maat's feather of truth. A heart lightened by good deeds and a virtuous life would balance with the feather, allowing the soul to pass into the afterlife. However, a heart burdened with wrongdoing would tip the scales and lead to its destruction by a fearsome demon called Ammit.
Maat in Egyptian Mythology
Due to her integral role in the natural order, Maat was deeply intertwined with the pantheon of Egyptian deities. In some tales, she is the daughter of Ra, the sun god and king of the gods, and was involved in aiding her father to ensure the continuity of the daily rebirth of the sun. She was also married to Thoth, the god of wisdom and writing, and together, they formed a cohesive framework that governed the cosmos and human affairs.
Maat was represented by various symbols that conveyed her wide-ranging influence over balance, truth, and justice. As mentioned before, her feather of truth was her most iconic symbol but it was far from the only one. She was often depicted holding a scepter and an ankh, ancient symbols of authority and life, which signified her role in granting the power to rule justly and sustain life. These symbols, along with her feather, served as reminders of Maat's presence in all aspects of existence, from the governance of the pharaohs to the daily lives of ordinary Egyptians, reinforcing her status as a fundamental force in the ancient Egyptian worldview.
Maat Today
The legacy of Maat continues to resonate in the modern world, where her ideals of balance, truth, and justice remain relevant. Although the ancient Egyptian religions have faded into history, the influence of Maat’s principle can still be found in modern Egyptian culture. This can be observed in Egyptian society’s obsession with stability and harmony and their negative reaction to anything that would disrupt it. It can also be found in people’s everyday speech where they mention the heart and often its weight to describe the values and character of other people. It can also be found in Egyptian law schools where students are taught the Commandments of Maat in their introductory classes. In the new Egyptian capital, currently under construction, the neighborhood that’s dedicated to the courts—such as the constitutional court—will be named Maat’s City.
Maat in Treasures of Egypt
In the YA fantasy novel, Treasures of Egypt: the Spear & the Scythe, Maat is identical to her real-world mythological counterpart.
Conclusion
Maat’s influence was the cornerstone of the daily lives of the ancient Egyptians and the eternal journey of their souls. She taught them the importance of living a life anchored in truth, balance, and justice, lessons that continue to hold significance today.
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