The Platonic-Aristotelian representation of truth was that it was knowable but only with great difficulty and struggle. Thus truth is seen as a balance between things as they are and things as they are perceived. Plato's famous shadows of reality on the cave wall are his attempts to represent the great difficulty with seeing truth directly. The human condition is such that direct viewing of truth could be more than we would be able to bear. The indirect viewing of truth can lead one to real truth if one is honest in looking at the reflections of truth and of using science and philosophy to that end.
Truth stands with one foot on the earth as evidence that truth dominates it and is superior to it.
To her right is a palm tree with a grape vine growing up it. The palm symbolizes growth despite obstacles placed in its way. Most obstacles can be simply external or they can be our passions which attempt to choke out our growth in truth. The fruit of the vine as wine can become a self-indulgent passion or it can be simply the good cheer necessary in a fruitful struggle. Then at the foot of the steps each must ascend to reach the pinnacle of eternal life.