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In ancient Greek religion and mythology, the Moirai (/ ˈ m ɔɪ r aɪ,-r iː /)—often known in English as the Fates—were the personifications of destiny. They were three sisters: Clotho (the spinner), Lachesis (the allotter), and Atropos (the inevitable, a metaphor for death). Their Roman equivalent is the Parcae. [1]
The Moirai, meaning "allotted portion" or "share", separated each sister into a different role in order to handle the fates of humans. The Fates were expected to appear within three days of a mortal's birth. [2] Clotho was the first of the three, known as "the spinner" because she wove the threads of human life while in the womb. [3]
She is the youngest goddess of the Three Fates or Moirai. In ancient Greek mythology, she spins the thread of human life, her sisters draw out ( Lachesis ) and cut ( Atropos ) the thread. She also made major decisions, such as when a person was born, thus in effect controlling people's lives.
In classical religious iconography or mythological art, [4] three separate beings may represent either a triad who typically appear as a group (the Greek Moirai, Charites, and Erinyes; the Norse Norns; or the Irish Morrígan) or a single deity notable for having three aspects (Greek Hecate, Roman Diana). [5]
The earliest extant documents referencing these deities are three small stelae (cippi) found near ancient Lavinium shortly after World War II. [10] They bear the inscription: Neuna fata, Neuna dono, Parca Maurtia dono. The names of two of the three Roman Parcae are recorded (Neuna = Nona, Maurtia = Morta) and connected to the concept of fata. [11]
A hall stands there, fair, under the ash by the well, and out of that hall come three maids, who are called thus: Urdr, Verdandi, Skuld; these maids determine the period of men's lives: we call them Norns; but there are many norns: those who come to each child that is born, to appoint his life; these are of the race of the gods, but the second ...
Atropos (/ ˈ æ t r ə p ɒ s,-p ə s /; [1] [2] Ancient Greek: Ἄτροπος "without turn"), in Greek mythology, was the third of the Three Fates or Moirai, goddesses of fate and destiny. Her Roman equivalent was Morta. Atropos was the eldest of the Three Fates and was known as "the Inflexible One."
In particular, some scholars argue that the three Norns are a late influence from the three Moirai in Greek and Roman mythology, who are goddesses of fate. [ 15 ] The names of the Norns are Urðr , Verðandi , and Skuld .