Ma'at is an ancient Egyptian concept that represents truth, balance, order, and justice. It is often personified as a goddess who embodies these principles. In Egyptian society, maintaining ma'at was essential for harmony in both the cosmos and human affairs, influencing everything from governance to personal conduct. The Weighing of the Heart ceremony, a key aspect of the afterlife belief, involved weighing a deceased person's heart against the feather of Ma'at. If the heart was lighter, it indicated a life lived in accordance with ma'at, allowing the soul to enter the afterlife. If heavier, it signified wrongdoing, leading to dire consequences.