Maat
(aka Mayet)
Ma'at was the goddess of truth, justice and harmony.
She was associated with the balance of things on earth.
Ma'at was the daughter of the sun god Ra.
Pharaohs are frequently shown in wall reliefs making an offering of Ma'at
to the gods-showing that they are preserving harmony and justice on earth.
The word, Maat translates "that which is straight" it implies anything that is true, ordered, or balanced.
She was the female counterpart of Thoth.
We know she is a very ancient goddess because we find her in the boat of Ra
as it rose above the waters of the abyss of Nu on the first day.
Together with Thoth, they charted the daily course of the sun god Ra.
She is sometimes called the 'eye of Ra' or the 'daughter of Ra'.
Maat also plays an important part in the Book of the Dead.
It is in the Hall of Maat the judgement
of the dead was performed.
This was done by weighing one's heart (conscience) against the feather
of Maat.
If a balance was struck the deceased was deemed to be worthy of meeting Osiris in the
after life.
If the heart of the deceased was found to be heavier then the feather
of Maat it would be
devoured by Ammut.
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