Editing Maat (section)

==History==
The earliest surviving records indicating that Maat is the norm for nature and society, in this world and the next, were recorded during the [[Old Kingdom of Egypt]], the earliest substantial surviving examples being found in the [[Pyramid Texts]] of [[Unas#The Pyramid Texts|Unas]] ({{Circa|2375 BCE}} and 2345 BCE).{{sfnp|Morenz|1973|p=273}}

Later, when most goddesses were paired with a male aspect, her masculine counterpart was [[Thoth]], as their attributes are similar. In other accounts, Thoth was paired off with [[Seshat]], goddess of writing and measure, who is a lesser-known deity.

After her role in creation and continuously preventing the universe from returning to chaos, her primary role in [[ancient Egyptian religion]] dealt with the [[Weighing of the Heart]] that took place in the [[Duat]].{{sfnp|Budge|1969|loc=vol. 1, p. 418}} Her feather was the measure that determined whether the souls (considered to reside in the heart) of the departed would reach the paradise of the [[afterlife]] successfully. In other versions, Maat was the feather as the personification of truth, justice, and harmony.{{sfnp|Strudwick|2006|pp=106–107}}

[[Pharaoh]]s are often depicted with the emblems of Maat to emphasise their roles in upholding the laws and righteousness.{{sfnp|McCall|1990||p=[https://archive.org/details/egyptianmyths00hart/page/46 46]}} From the [[Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt|Eighteenth Dynasty]] (c. 1550 – 1295 BC) Maat was described as the daughter of [[Ra]], indicating that pharaohs were believed to rule through her authority.{{sfnp|Strudwick|2006|pp=106–107}}