Libra

The story

Libra is the most recently added sign of the zodiac — in ancient Greek tradition there were 11 signs, with Scorpio's claws taking the place of the scales. The Romans made the scales a separate constellation (around 1st century BCE). Mythologically its ancestor is Themis's (the goddess of justice) scales — the figure with eyes blindfolded, scales in left hand, sword in right. Themis was Zeus's former wife (before Hera); her daughters are the three Seasons and three Fates (Moirai). The scales weigh the human soul in mythology — the Greek-Roman version of Ma'at's feather scales in Egyptian mythology. After death the heart is weighed against a feather; if equal, the soul goes to heaven, if heavier, to Hades. The Libra constellation sits next to Scorpio — a bridge between justice and death.

Into the sky

The Romans separated Themis's scales of justice from Scorpio's claws; this sign entered the sky later. That's why Libra is considered "late-arriving" — after the other 11 had settled.

Themes

• Themis' scales of justice
• balance
• last sign added
• Egypt to Greece