Justice
As Depicted by the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck
"…[It] seems desirable to indicate that the moral principle which deals unto every man according to his works… differs in its essence from the spiritual justice which is involved in the idea of election. The latter belongs to a mysterious order of Providence, in virtue of which it is possible for certain men to conceive the idea of dedication to the highest things." - Arthur Edward Waite
The Divinity
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The Components of 'Justice'
The figure pictured is of no particular title, only given the symbolism generally given to those of positions of power. However, the figure is typically described as a king or queen, the highest power in a land and the deciding figure of its actions and law. A ruler is seen as the guiding hand of a people, or the people's decisive downfall through poor choices and a lack of actionable clarity.
In the context of the Justice tarot card, the scales are a symbol of equilibrium and fairness in judgement. The Roman goddess Iustitia or Justitia — source of the English word justice — bore scales while wearing a blindfold. The blinding of figures of justice is meant to signify their impartiality in their judgement while the scales themselves came to bear the task of weighing one's actions against lawful order.
The sword of Justice represents not only authority and power but the ability to use such to enforce the ideals of justice in practice. Ideals are only actionable when the individual has the power to act as they choose. The sword is thus the power to act and make decisions based on justice and law while the blade's edge is courage and wit. It is the act of cutting through the fog of deception. With the action of justice, the sword then also represents the consequences of acting against the law.
Alternative descriptions of the card have portrayed the sword as the use of justice as a method of protection and defense. It is a knightly weapon befitting a person who would use their power to serve the vulnerable and protect the just rights of others.
The idea of pillars is a common motif across the Rider-Waite tarot deck. They are a literal representation of structure and strength or fortitude. Being often represented in pairs of mismatched coloring, they are often used as a form of duality. This idea of dualism can be seen as relating to the balance upon which justice depends as well as the inherent forces of good and evil that is implied by the principle of justice.
