Because they could see the entire length of the thread, it was believed by many that they were also oracular goddesses who could foretell what would happen along its length. The time of birth, the length of life, and the time of death were their domains.Įventually, however, the three Fates came to be seen as having more influence over the events of a person’s life as well. The most important role of the three Fates was to ensure that each person lived the correct portion of life that was assigned to them. Finally Atropos, “The Unturning,” cut each thread at the appointed length, setting the person’s death. Lachesis, “The Drawer of Lots,” measured each thread.

At the moment of birth, she created the thread of a person’s lifetime. They were given different parents in various traditions including Zeus and Themis, Chronos, Ouranos, and Nyx.Ĭlotho, “The Spinner,” spun the thread of life from her distaff onto her spindle. The Moirai, or Fates as they are known in English, wove the threads of fate on a great loom. In Greek mythology, the span of a person’s life was controlled by three goddesses. The goddesses of fate were one of the most enduring motifs in European religion. The Greeks and Romans, however, were not alone in this view of fate. While the goddesses themselves were sometimes seen in different ways, their endless weaving was a constant. The three weaving goddesses was a well-known image in Greco-Roman culture. Working with other deities, the Moirai set the length of a person’s life by spinning, measuring, and cutting its thread.

Oracles, guided by the gods, could see the threads of fate and prophesize the future.įate was supposedly set at birth, or shortly after it, by three goddesses. The ancient Greeks believed that much of life was preordained.

Fates & furies lauren groff