Ma’at is an Egyptian goddess associated with truth, order, harmony, and justice. The word Ma’at also refers to these concepts–to things being and existing as they rightly should be. She has charge of the ordering of the seasons and the hours of the day.

Ma’at has an important role to play in the afterlife as well; the feather she carries is weighted against the heart of the deceased in order to determine their fate.

She is depicted here wearing the ostrich feather, her symbol, on her head, and is equipped with wings.

Ma’at was honored throughout Egypt, but does not appear to have had a particular center of worship, and her temples did not appear until relatively late. She was regardless an important goddess with an essential presence in Egyptian life.

Ma’at, daughter of creation, ideal of the worlds,
mistress of the right, I praise and honor you.