Themis (Θεμις) was the Titan goddess of divine law and order of the traditional rules of conduct first established by the gods in Greek mythology. She was also a prophetic goddess who presided over the most ancient oracles, including Delphi. In this role, she was the divine voice (themistes) who first instructed mankind in the primal laws of justice and morality, such as the precepts of belief, the rules of hospitality, good governance, conduct of assembly, and pious offerings to the gods. Themis was an early bride of Zeus (king of the gods) and his first counsellor as well as mother to The Fates and The Horae. She was often represented seated beside his throne advising him on the precepts of divine law and the rules of fate. In Greek, the word ‘themis’ referred to divine law, those rules of conduct long established by custom. Unlike the word ‘nomos,’ the term was not usually used to describe laws of human decree. (Zuhair Murad Spring 2013 Haute Couture Collection)
