Bank Note: Mexico, 5 Pesos

As can be observed from the image, the woman pictured on the right side of the banknote wields a sword in her right hand and scales in the other. Typically this depiction is consistent with the allegory of Justice. The scale serves as a metaphor for the fair and equal justice provided by the law, as well as for the process of weighing the evidence and the facts in order to reach a decision. It also demonstrates Justice's obligation to maintain social balance. The sword is symbolic of Justice’s authority, as well as its ability to strike injustice down. At her feet is a lion, which is associated with traits such as power, majesty and bravery, as well as justice. Justice has been portrayed by male figures, but her representation as a female figure has been stronger in the collective mind. Over time, Justice has taken the form of the goddess Ma’at in Ancient Egypt, the titaness Themis and her goddess daughter Dike in Ancient Greece and later the goddess Justicicia in Ancient Rome, to Lady Justice globally. Perhaps her appearance on the banknote is to convey justice’s presence in the country’s judicial system.

“A Symbol of Justice.” Michigan Supreme Court Learning Center. Accessed September 8, 2023. https://www.courts.michigan.gov/4af46e/siteassets/msc-learning-center/justitia_ladyjustice.pdf.

“Dike.” Theoi Greek Mythology. Accessed September 8, 2023. https://www.theoi.com/Ouranios/HoraDike.html.

Ngo-Trong, Sandra. “What Justice Really Means - Judging with a Scale, Sword and Blindfolds.” YouTube, July 1, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntIPqFX_JwY&ab_channel=ChasingGods%27.

Protas, Allison. “Dictionary of Symbolism.” Edited by Geoff Smith and Eric Jaffe. Lion. Accessed September 6, 2023. https://websites.umich.edu/~umfandsf/symbolismproject/symbolism.html/L/lion.html.

“PS-882.” Bank Note Museum. Accessed August 18, 2023. http://www.banknote.ws/COLLECTION/countries/AME/MEX/MEX-SPEC/MEXS0882.htm.

“Themis.” Theoi Greek Mythology. Accessed September 8, 2023. https://www.theoi.com/Titan/TitanisThemis.html.

Ville, Jacques de. “Mythology and the Images of Justice.” CORE. Accessed September 8, 2023. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/62633074.pdf.

Warner, Marina. Monuments & maidens. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 1985.

Zárate Toscano, Verónica, & Eduardo Flores Clair “La iconografía Del Papel Moneda En México, Siglos XIX Y XX”. Historias, n.º 104, June 28, 2021. https://revistas.inah.gob.mx/index.php/historias/article/view/16980.