Activity Booklet
Symbols of Law
There are many symbols of law both inside and outside the Supreme Court Building. There are far more symbols than just the ones that appear here, but the slideshow below is a good place to start looking.
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Perhaps the most ancient symbol associated with the law is also one of the most familiar, the Scales of Justice. Symbolizing the impartial deliberation, or weighing, of two sides in a legal dispute, scales are found both inside and outside the Supreme Court Building.
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Tablets are often used to represent the concept of law. The Authority of Law statue combines the imagery of a tablet with the Latin word “LEX” (law). The sword represents the power or authority of the law.
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Books appear as symbols representing learning, written knowledge, and judgment. In a few instances, the Latin
word “LEX” (law) is carved into the book, making it a symbol for a law book.
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Unless otherwise noted, all images are from the Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States.