Justice’s Vessel of Gold
The container of gold was given to Justice from God. It represents the
eternal reward and salvation that await the faithful. It also stands for a
justice that is higher and superior to the justice of man practiced and
measured out on Earth. From this vessel, Justice gives out each person’s
“rightful portion,” the payment received as a reflection of how morally and
forthrightly an individual lived his or her life. It is inscribed with the
fleur-de-lis, or lily, which signifies the Trinity. In this way, the three
Virtues appearing to Christine are symbolically linked to the Trinity of
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost that constitute the cornerstone of Christian
faith.
Reason’s Mirror
Encrusted with jewels, Reason’s mirror is a source of wisdom, clarity,
and, above all, self-knowledge. Reason brings the mirror to Christine to
give her the direction and certainty she needs to pursue the truth about the
virtues of women. The Virtues stress to Christine that she must do a good
job of constructing the city and that the task must be performed flawlessly.
The mirror aids this pursuit in unveiling to Christine the essence and
inherent qualities of the subjects she will be tackling in her
text.
Rectitude’s Ruler
Rectitude carries her “shining ruler” in her right hand, and this
ruler carries several meanings. In order to build the City of Ladies,
Christine must measure her words carefully and proportion them to the task
at hand. The ruler is offered to her as she constructs the facades of the
palaces, houses, and public buildings and lays out the city’s squares and
streets. Rectitude wields her ruler as a staff of judgment. It separates
right from wrong and indicates the dividing line between good and evil. The
ruler is a guide that, when heeded, indicates the proper path or decision.
Rectitude also declares that it is a rod of peace that supports the just and
punishes the unjust.
