Moirai

File:The Three Fates by Paul Thumann.jpg

The Three Fates by Paul Thumann, 19th century

The Moirai (also known as the Fates) were the three goddesses of destiny in Greek mythology. They were Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos (Greek: Άτροποςcode: el is deprecated ).

The role of the Moirai is to control the fate of every being. The life of each being is represented by a "thread of life". Clotho spins the thread, beginning the being's life. Lachesis measures it (looks how long it is) and Atropos cuts the thread at the end of the person's life once they have reached their destiny, killing them.

The Moirai are considered to be above the Greek gods. However, in some stories, Zeus, the Chief God, is capable of controlling them.

The decisions of the Moriai about a person's life can't be changed.

The parents of the Moirai are not surely known. Some said they were the daughters of Zeus and the Titaness Themis, or more likely of primordial beings like Nyx and ChaosAnanke.

Moirai Media

• The Norns spin the threads of fate at the foot of Yggdrasil, the tree of the world.

• The Weighing of the Heart.svg

  A section of the Egyptian Book of the Dead showing the "Weighing of the Heart" in the Duat using the feather of Maat as the measure in balance.

• The Triumph of Death, or The Three Fates.jpg

  The three Moirai, or the Triumph of death, Flemish tapestry, c. 1520 (Victoria and Albert Museum, London)

• Sarcophagus Prometheus Louvre Ma339.jpg

  Prometheus creates man: Clotho and Lachesis besides Poseidon (with his trident), and presumably Atropos besides Artemis (with the moon crescent) are seen, Roman sarcophagus (Louvre).

• Clotho (Washington, DC).jpg

  Bas relief of Clotho, lampstand at the Supreme Court of the United States, Washington, D.C.

• Lachesis (Washington, DC).jpg

  Bas relief of Lachesis, lampstand at the Supreme Court, Washington, D.C.