From blindfolded symbol to a new era of legal identity

New Delhi: The statue of a blindfolded woman, known as Lady Justice, has long been a powerful symbol in our collective consciousness, representing the ideal that the law is impartial.
Seen in Bollywood films, literature, and even on rock album covers, Lady Justice has become synonymous with the phrase “the law is blind.” However, recent developments have brought a fresh perspective to this iconic figure.
India on Thursday has unveiled a transformed version of the Lady Justice statue at the Supreme Court, signaling a departure from the traditional imagery. This new statue, located in the judges’ library, has shed its blindfold and sword, now holding the Indian Constitution instead.
This change aims to convey the message that the law is not blind but rather attentive to the needs of all citizens. Traditionally, Lady Justice is depicted with 3 key elements: a blindfold, scales, and a sword. Each symbolizes a core principle of justice: This represents impartiality, signifying that justice should be administered without bias, treating everyone equally regardless of wealth, power, or social status. The ideal of “law is blind” is embodied in this figure, which weighs arguments based solely on facts and law.
Representing balance and fairness, the scales have been retained in the new statue to emphasize the judiciary’s role in weighing both sides of an argument before reaching a verdict.
Symbolizing the power and authority of the law, the sword is often shown as double-edged, indicating that the law can both protect and punish.
Thus, Lady Justice encapsulates the ideals of impartiality, fairness, and enforcement.
The figure of Lady Justice traces its origins to ancient Greek and Roman iconography, where she served as the allegorical representation of law and moral authority. In ancient Greece, Themis, a Titaness depicted with scales and a sword, was associated with divine law and justice.