Balance and Fairness

Scales of Justice Tattoos

A symbol of balance, fairness, and the pursuit of truth.

TATTOO MEANING

What the Scales of Justice Tattoo Represents

A scales of justice tattoo represents more than law. It embodies balance, fairness, and the duty to consider both sides before reaching judgment. But what does your scales of justice tattoo mean? The symbol carries deep significance, from ancient Egyptian Maat to Roman Justitia. This guide helps you understand scales of justice tattoo meaning, history, and how to design one that reflects your commitment to fairness without relying on clichés.

HISTORY & SYMBOLISM

The Origins of the Scales of Justice Tattoo

Scales of justice tattoos emerged from ancient legal traditions where the symbol traces back to ancient civilizations, beginning with the Egyptian goddess Maat, who represented balance, harmony, justice, law and order. The ancient Greek goddesses Themis and Dike also embodied justice and fair judgment. The modern personification evolved through Roman mythology as Justitia, Lady Justice, introduced by Emperor Augustus and later used by emperors to symbolize their protection of justice. The scales represent the weighing of evidence and arguments from both sides of a dispute, symbolizing the duty to consider both perspectives before reaching a verdict. Today, scales of justice tattoos represent not just law, but connection to balance, fairness, and the pursuit of truth.

MODERN SIGNIFICANCE

Why Scales of Justice Tattoos Matter Today

People choose scales of justice tattoos to represent commitment to fairness, balance, equality, or connection to legal principles and impartial judgment. The symbol resonates with those who value justice, find meaning in considering both sides of disputes, or want to express respect for legal systems and principles of impartial judgment. Scales of justice tattoos also serve as expressions of personal ethics, representing the understanding that fairness requires balance and that justice should be applied equally regardless of circumstances or appearance.

Aesthetically, scales of justice tattoos offer striking visual impact through distinctive balanced scales and symbolic elements. The designs can feature balanced scales representing fairness and equilibrium, scales with blindfold representing impartiality and justice is blind, scales with sword representing authority and power to administer justice, or compositions combining multiple elements. They work in realistic styles that capture scale detail and balance, bold illustrative designs that emphasize symbolic power, or minimalist interpretations that focus on essential forms. Whether you want a detailed scales portrait or symbolic representation, scales of justice tattoos carry meaning that honors both balance and fairness.

Scales of Justice Tattoo FAQ

Common Questions About Scales of Justice Tattoos

What does a scales of justice tattoo symbolize?

Scales of justice tattoos symbolize balance, fairness, equality, and the pursuit of truth. They represent commitment to legal principles, impartial judgment, and the duty to consider both sides of disputes before reaching verdicts. The symbol also represents the understanding that justice should be applied equally regardless of circumstances or appearance.

What is the history of the scales of justice symbol?

The scales of justice symbol traces back to ancient civilizations, beginning with the Egyptian goddess Maat, who represented balance, harmony, justice, law and order. The ancient Greek goddesses Themis and Dike also embodied justice and fair judgment. The modern personification evolved through Roman mythology as Justitia, Lady Justice, introduced by Emperor Augustus.

Can scales of justice tattoos include blindfolds or swords?

Yes. Scales of justice tattoos can incorporate blindfold representing impartiality and justice is blind, sword representing authority and power to administer justice, or other legal symbols. These elements add layers of meaning. Work with your artist to integrate elements that enhance rather than overwhelm the scales design.

What style works best for scales of justice tattoos?

Black and grey realism showcases scale detail and balance beautifully. Illustrative styles allow for creative interpretations while maintaining scales essence. Traditional styles emphasize bold lines and symbolic power. Choose based on whether you want scale detail, symbolic impact, or artistic expression.

How long does a scales of justice tattoo take?

Time depends heavily on size, position, detail level, style complexity, and your pain tolerance. A detailed scales of justice tattoo typically requires 3 to 6 hours, though actual times can vary significantly. Smaller, simpler designs may take 2 to 3 hours, while large, hyper-realistic pieces with intricate detail can take 8 to 12 hours or more, often spread across multiple sessions.

How much does a high-quality Scales of Justice tattoo cost?

Tattoo pricing depends on your design, size, placement, and level of detail. For simpler pieces, we may quote a flat rate, for larger or more complex work, we usually charge hourly based on the artist’s rate.

Great tattoos aren’t cheap, and you don’t want to be cheap with your body, cover-ups and removals can be expensive (and not always possible). The best way to get an accurate quote is to chat with one of our artists. Share your idea or come by for a walk-in consultation and we’ll walk through your idea, timeline, and pricing together.

Still exploring your options?

Scales of Justice is just one of hundreds of tattoo subjects and themes we've documented. Take your time finding the perfect match.

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Ready for a Scales of Justice Tattoo?

Keep scrolling—we'll guide you through styles, placements, and meanings below

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Your Journey to the Perfect Scales of Justice Tattoo

46 Tattoo is a Toronto studio offering fully custom tattoos, helping you choose the right style, placement, and artist for your design. We'll guide you through every step of creating meaningful ink that lasts a lifetime

1

Choose Style

Find your aesthetic

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2

Pick Placement

Choose location

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3

Find Artist

Book consultation

Need help deciding? Talk to an expert for free →

Design Considerations

What to consider when designing a Scales of Justice Tattoo

Balance and symmetry

Scales of justice tattoos require careful attention to balance and symmetry, representing fairness and equilibrium. Scales must appear perfectly balanced to convey the intended meaning. Work with your artist to ensure symmetrical composition and balanced scale design.

Additional symbolic elements

Scales of justice tattoos can incorporate blindfold representing impartiality and justice is blind, sword representing authority and power to administer justice, or other legal symbols. These elements add layers of meaning. Work with your artist to integrate elements that enhance rather than overwhelm the scales design.

Size and detail

Scales of justice tattoos need at least 3 inches to maintain recognizable detail and balance. Smaller designs may lose fine features like scale chains and balance mechanisms. Larger pieces allow for more intricate compositions with additional elements.

Style selection

Realistic styles showcase scale detail and balance beautifully. Illustrative styles allow for creative interpretations while maintaining scales essence. Traditional styles emphasize bold lines and symbolic power. Choose based on whether you want scale detail, symbolic impact, or artistic expression.

Placement and composition

Scales of justice tattoos work across multiple placements. Forearm and chest placements work well for scales designs. Smaller placements suit minimalist designs. Consider visibility and whether you want the tattoo to serve as a public statement or personal reminder of fairness.

Step 1: Choose Your Style

Explore styles that work best for Scales of Justice tattoos, each chosen for flow, readability, and long-term wear.

Black & Grey Realism

Depth. Detail. Contrast.

Illustrative

Artistry and Expression

American Traditional

Bold. Clean. Classic.

View All Styles →

Step 2: Choose Your Placement

Choose a placement that supports clarity, aging, and the meaning behind your Scales of Justice tattoo.

Forearm

Tattoo work on the inner or outer forearm.

Chest

Tattoo work across the chest, sternum, and upper torso.

Shoulder

Tattoo work on the shoulder cap or upper shoulder area.

Bicep

Tattoo work on the inner or outer bicep.

View All Placements →

Step 3: Choose Your Artist

Choose an artist whose style, technique, and experience bring your Scales of Justice tattoo to life.

Geoffrey Wong

Owner - Black and Grey Expert

Spencer Skalko

Artist - American Traditional Expert

Taivas Jättiläinen

Artist - Illustrative Expert

Emily Forte

Artist - American Traditional Expert

Match Me With The Best Artist →

Start to Finish

Let’s Bring Your Idea to Life

Clean work, honest guidance, and a transparent process. At 46 Tattoo, your skin, your idea, and your trust are treated with real respect.

Book Your Free Consultation

Share Your Idea

Just send us your tattoo idea — even if it’s rough! From there, we’ll follow up to book your free consultation or you can choose a time directly through our calendar.

Not sure what you want? That’s okay too. We’re here to help guide you toward something that fits your vision and looks great long-term.

Free Consultation

Book a free 15-minute consultation— online or in person (we recommend stopping by to say hi!). We’ll go over your idea, size, placement, and pricing — no pressure to commit. Our goal is to understand your vision, answer your questions, and guide you toward a design that looks great now and for years to come.

We’re here to make the process smooth and stress-free.

Lock In Your Appointment

What Happens: Once you're ready to book in, we’ll take a deposit and lock in your session. From there, your artist will collaborate with you to finalize the design—incorporating feedback and making sure it aligns with your vision.

Time: Whenever you’re ready to book—no pressure

Cost: $100 deposit (applied to your final price)

Custom Design Creation

What happens: Your artist creates a design tailored to your anatomy, style, and vision. We’ll work closely with you—sharing drafts, gathering feedback, and making thoughtful adjustments—until the design feels just right.

Time: ~1-2 weeks

Cost: Included in your tattoo price

Leading Up to Your Appointment

A little prep can make a big difference. Here are a few simple tips to help you get ready:

Eat well and stay hydrated
Moisturize the area for a few days
Avoid sunburn, alcohol, and blood thinners
Review your appointment details — and reach out with any questions

Want more help? Check out our guides.

Time: Start prepping 2–3 days before your session

The Day of Your Appointment

Show up feeling good — we’ll take it from there.

Bring valid ID (you must be 18+)
Arrive on time — or a little early
Come well-fed, rested, and freshly showered
Bring water, snacks, and a friend if you like
Your artist will walk you through every step — from setup to aftercare

Time: Arrive on time

After Your Appointment

You’ll leave with a beautiful tattoo — and everything you need to take care of it properly.

Keep the area clean and moisturized
Avoid sun, soaking, and scratching
Healing takes 2–4 weeks, depending on your skin and placement
Got questions later? Just reach out — we’re always here to help

Time: 2–4 weeks

Cost: Aftercare is included — touch-ups are free within 6 months (if needed)