Fates were three goddesses who ruled people’s lives. According to Greek and Roman mythology, the goddesses spun and cut the thread of life. They were called Parcae among the Romans and Moirai among the Greeks. Clotho was the spinner of the thread and Lachesis decided how long it was to be. Atropos cut the thread. They were the daughters of Zeus and Themis.
The Fates were usually described as stern, gloomy, elderly goddesses. But in ancient Greece, the Moirai were also worshiped sometimes as goddesses who helped with childbirth and a successful harvest.
Ancient artists represented Clotho as holding the spindle of thread. Lachesis carries rods which she shakes to decide a person’s fate. Atropos holds a tablet on which she writes the decision.
