Figures of Justice

                       INFORMATION SHEET

                          One of the most recognized legal symbols visible at the
                          Supreme Court is the female figure representing Justice.
                          Portraying Justice as a female figure dates back to depictions
                          of Themis and Justicia in ancient mythology.  Themis, known
                          for her clear-sightedness, was the Greek Goddess of Justice
                          and Law.  In Roman mythology, Justicia (Justice) was one
                          of the four Virtues along with Prudence, Fortitude and
                          Temperance.

                          The representation of this symbol has changed over time.
                          Some early depictions of Justice included scales to represent
                          impartiality and a sword to symbolize power.  During the
                          16th century, artists increasingly showed Justice with a
                          blindfold.  The origin of the blindfold is unclear, but there
                          is some evidence that these early artists added the blindfold
                          to indicate the courts' tolerance of, or ignorance to, abuse of
                          the law.  Today the blindfold is generally accepted as a symbol
                          of impartiality, but may appear in political cartoons to signify
                          these other traits.

                                                        At the Supreme Court, Justice
                                                        is depicted in three sculptural
                                                        groups and appears with and
                                                        without a blindfold.  In James
                                                        Earle Fraser's Contemplation of
                                                        Justice, adjoining the front steps
                                                        to the left of the main entrance,
                                                        there is a blindfolded Justice.
                                                        Here, a seated female figure in
                                                        a shawl studies the smaller
                                                        statue of Justice, who cradles a
                                                        set of scales in her arms (above
                                                        and left).  The figure of Justice
                                                        in this marble sculpture is
                                                        approximately four and one half
                                                        feet high.

 James Earl Fraser's Contemplation of Justice
(above) with detail of blindfold Justice (top left)


           Office of the Curator     Supreme Court of the United States
                                 Updated: 8/18/2000



Another depiction of Justice is
on the base of the lampposts
located on the front of the build-
ing's plaza.  In these examples,
a bas-relief of Justice includes a
blindfold.  She holds scales in
her left hand and a sword in her
right.  These lampposts were
designed and modeled by the
John Donnelly studio (right).






                                                                    Justice without a blindfold appears in
                                                                    one of the Courtroom friezes by Adolph
                                                                    Weinman.  In the frieze at the top of the
                                                                    west wall (at the back of the Courtroom),
                                                                    a robed Justice (left) is the focus of the
                                                                    allegorical story of the battle of Good
                                                                    Versus Evil.  Her unencumbered gaze
                                                                    is set determinedly in the direction of
                                                                    the forces of Evil to her right.  Her
                                                                    posture is defiant, as if ready to do
                                                                    battle to protect the forces of Good with
                                                                    her great sword.  The sword remains
                                                                    sheathed, but her left hand rests atop
                                                                    the hilt ready to act should the need arise.



                                                                     Above: Blindfolded Justice on the base of
                                                                            the lamppost of the front plaza.


                                                                      Left: Figure of Justice in the West Frieze.








                     Office of the Curator     Supreme Court of the United States
      All photographs by Franz Jantzen unless otherwise noted.  Collections of the Supreme Court of the United States.