Thursday, January 29, 2015

Attributes 1

      
       When you die, I judge the deeds of your past life and determine if you are worthy of eternal life, for I am Maat, goddess of truth and justice. I represent a pure way of living that keeps chaos at bay by bringing order and law to the universe. Though I am a fair judge of a mortal's deeds, do not cross me, for my weakness lies in my unforgiving nature; I do not give second chances.   
       
        There are several different forms of my name, including Ma'at, which is one of the more commonly used spellings. Others include Mayet and Maae't, but you can use the simplest form: Maat. I also have various, more uncommon titles, such as Lady of the Hall of Judgment or Mistress of the Underworld.

       I am thought of as the beautiful daughter of Ra. My husband is thought to be wise Thoth, and the eight gods and goddesses of the Ogdoad, who are responsible for the creation of the Earth, are sometimes said to be my children. Among them are Amun and Amuanet, who were ruers of the air and hidden things at that time; Nun and Naunet who were in charge of the first waters; Huh and Hauhet who were the rulers of infinity; and Kuk and Kauket, who were the keepers of darkness. 
   
       Often, I have traveled with my father in his boat through the sky and helped him to regenerate to meet the new day. Other times, I stand in the Hall of Two Truths in the underworld, where I aid in the judgment of souls. I have the appearance of a young woman with an ostrich feather adorning my head, and  great wings that can bring the dead back to life with a single beat. 

5 comments:

  1. Jokes on you! I can't die. Also I do like the fact you can bring back the dead. I can also do that with my Feather Fan. You remind me of Judge Dredd (reference may not be 100% accurate)

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  2. What does 'the hall of two truths' mean? it is interesting to hear of not one but two truths.

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    1. The Hall of Two Truths is merely the place in the underworld where the dead come to be judged. This is where they are either deemed worthy for the afterlife, or unworthy, and thereby devoured by Ammut. This could be where the hall gets its name from.

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  3. You are the goddess of truth? It seems we are similar. After all, truth and wisdom are closely the same.

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    1. Actually, my husband Thoth would be more closely related to you, Athena, as he is the god of wisdom.

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