Maat Statue Miniature, Egyptian Goddess of Truth and Balance

Maat Statue: Egyptian Goddess of Truth and Balance

This Maat statue shows the Egyptian goddess kneeling on a pedestal marked with hieroglyphic detail. Maat personified truth, balance, and cosmic order, the force ancient Egyptians believed held creation together.

• Measures 2.75 in H x 3 in W x 1.5 in D. Weighs 0.3 lbs.
• Material: Resin with a stone finish.
• Product Number: T83410.
• Canopic jars pictured are not included, T84420

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Maat in Egyptian Religion

Maat first appears in Egyptian sources from the Old Kingdom, around 2600 to 2181 BCE. Her name is usually translated as "that which is straight," pointing to order and justice. She was pictured as a woman wearing a single ostrich feather, or simply as the feather itself. Here she is represented as a Maat kneeling statue.

The Weighing of the Heart

In the afterlife judgment described in the Book of the Dead, a person's heart was weighed against Maat's feather in the Hall of Two Truths, before Osiris and forty two judges. A heart lighter than the feather passed into paradise. A heavier heart was said to be devoured by the monster Ammit, meaning the end of existence.

Maat and the Pharaoh

Egyptian kings were expected to uphold Maat's order through just rule. Many pharaohs took the title "Beloved of Maat" to show their commitment to truth and law, and part of the coronation ritual involved presenting Maat to the gods.

Who This Maat Statue Suits

This Egyptian goddess of truth figurine suits anyone drawn to Egyptian mythology, justice symbolism, or ancient religious art. It works on a desk, shelf, or personal altar, and makes a thoughtful gift for a student of Egyptology, a lawyer, or anyone who values the idea of balance.

For More Reading from the Web, We Suggest

• Ma'at, World History Encyclopedia
• Maat, The British Museum