From the dawn of civilization, justice has been conceptualized as a divinity linked to the cosmic order, but it is from the Greek and Roman goddesses of Justice that today’s iconic symbol derives. In Greek mythology, the goddesses of justice are Themis and her daughter DikÍ, also known as Astraea. In ancient Rome, DikÍ was known as Justitia and was a civil abstraction rather than a mythological deity.
Myth-making went hand-in-hand with the political propaganda of Renaissance Europe. In the emerging republics, Justitia became a powerful symbol of civil justice, while in the monarchies, Virgil’s vision of the Golden Age reborn and the myth of the return of Astraea gave support to the doctrine of the divine right of kings.
In the 17th century, New York was colonized, first by the Dutch and then by the English. Justitia, emblematic in both cultures, became iconic in the New World too. Following the Revolution, the New York State arms adopted on March 16, 1778, consisted of the State seal surmounted by an eagle on a demi-globe and supported by the figures of Liberty and Justice. Justice wears a gold-colored dress with a blue belt fringed in red. Her unbound hair is decorated with pearls, and there is a narrow band of cloth over her eyes. In her right hand she holds a gold-handled sword, and in her left, the scales.
For over two centuries, courthouses throughout New York have been adorned with portrayals of Lady Justice. The sculptures, carvings and murals, many by renowned artists, are our constant reminder that, in the words of George Washington: the due administration of justice is the firmest pillar of good Government.
![New York County, NY County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street This Lady Justice along with figures depicting Clemency, Authority and Judgement, decorate the pendentives supporting the dome inside the entrance of the courthouse. It opened in 1927, but it was not until 1934 that funding for the building's murals was provided by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Attilio Pusterla was retained for the interior art work, including the important mural History of the Law which graces the building's great dome. A major conservation was completed in the early 1990s, and, thankfully, these significant works of art are once again pristine.](https://history.nycourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/lady-justice-60-centre-street-282x400.jpeg)
![New York County, Louis J. Lefkowitz Building, 80 Centre Street New York County, Louis J. Lefkowitz Building, 80 Centre Street](https://history.nycourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/lady-justice-80-centre-street-01-284x400.jpeg)
![New York County, Louis J. Lefkowitz Building, 80 Centre Street New York County, Louis J. Lefkowitz Building, 80 Centre Street](https://history.nycourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/lady-justice-80-centre-street-02-elevator-283x400.jpeg)
![Appellate Division, First Dept., 25th and Madison Avenue Appellate Division, First Dept., 25th and Madison Avenue](https://history.nycourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/lady-justice-appellate-first-01-400x396.jpeg)
![Appellate Division, First Dept., 25th Street and Madison Avenue Appellate Division, First Dept., 25th Street and Madison Avenue](https://history.nycourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/lady-justice-appellate-first-02-equity-400x400.jpeg)
![Appellate Division, First Dept., 25th Street and Madison Appellate Division, First Dept., 25th Street and Madison](https://history.nycourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/lady-justice-appellate-first-04-lobby-400x400.jpeg)
![Appellate Division, First Dept. Appellate Division, First Dept.](https://history.nycourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/lady-justice-appellate-first-05-mural-372x400.jpeg)
![Bronx County, Bronx County Courthouse Bronx County, Bronx County Courthouse](https://history.nycourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/lady-justice-bronx-283x400.jpeg)
![Kings County, Brooklyn Borough Hall Kings County, Brooklyn Borough Hall](https://history.nycourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/lady-justice-brooklyn-borough-hall-01-283x400.jpeg)
![Kings County, Brooklyn Borough Hall Kings County, Brooklyn Borough Hall](https://history.nycourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/lady-justice-brooklyn-borough-hall-02-bench-295x400.jpeg)
![NYC Criminal Court, New York County NYC Criminal Court, New York County](https://history.nycourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/lady-justice-new20york-criminal-court-280x400.jpeg)
![Ontario County, Canandaigua Ontario County, Canandaigua](https://history.nycourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/lady-justice-canandaigua-01-249x400.jpeg)
![Albany County, Albany, the New York Court of Appeals Albany County, Albany, the New York Court of Appeals](https://history.nycourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/lady-justice-coa-01-lobby-259x400.jpeg)
![Albany County, Albany, the New York Court of Appeals Albany County, Albany, the New York Court of Appeals](https://history.nycourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/lady-justice-coa-03-bench-283x400.jpeg)
![Albany County, Albany, the New York Court of Appeals Albany County, Albany, the New York Court of Appeals](https://history.nycourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/lady-justice-coa-04-fireplace-288x400.jpeg)
![Albany County, Albany, the New York Court of Appeals Albany County, Albany, the New York Court of Appeals](https://history.nycourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/lady-justice-coa-05-rotunda-283x400.jpeg)
![Albany County, Albany, the New York Court of Appeals Albany County, Albany, the New York Court of Appeals](https://history.nycourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/lady-justice-coa-06-table-248x400.jpeg)
![Montgomery County, Fonda Montgomery County, Fonda](https://history.nycourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/lady-justice-fonda-282x400.jpeg)
![Chenango County, Norwich Chenango County, Norwich](https://history.nycourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/lady-justice-norwich-283x400.jpeg)
![NYS Court Officer's Vintage Patch NYS Court Officer's Vintage Patch](https://history.nycourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/lady-justice-officers-patch-253x400.jpeg)
![Monroe County, Rochester Monroe County, Rochester](https://history.nycourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/lady-justice-rochester-245x400.jpeg)
![Onondaga County, Syracuse Onondaga County, Syracuse](https://history.nycourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/lady-justice-syracuse-01-282x400.jpeg)
![Madison County, Wampsville Madison County, Wampsville](https://history.nycourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/lady-justice-wampsville-283x400.jpeg)