Ma'at is the Netjert (goddess) that personifies truth, justice, and the balance and harmony of the universe. Adherence to the principles of Ma'at were essential to the ethical thinking of the Ancient Egyptians. She was represented by a woman with an ostirich feather on her head, or just by the feather itself, or even at times by the plinth on which she kneeled. The plinth perhaps represents the primeval mound. Without Ma'at existance itself was impossible for she was the food and drink of Re, later called the daughter of Re. However this was more of the idea of Ma'at as essential to the movement of the universe than a familial relationship. She was there at the moment of creation, and is responsible even for the movements of the stars, the successful order of the seasons and the right relationship between Netjeru and men. A seated figure of Ma'at was the most common offering by the King to the Netjeru.

As justice she was symbol of the judge, and a figure of Ma'at was worn as an amulet or pendant by the Vizier (one of his titles being "priest of Ma'at), and adminsterers of the courts - a possible badge of office. The feather of Ma'at was weighed against the heart of the deceased in the Maaty, the Hall of the Two Truths, in order to ascertain a person's adherence to the principles to Ma'at in life. Those that failed were denied entrance to the afterlife, their heart swallowed by Ammut.