John Strudwick, A Golden Thread, 1885 (oil on canvas).

The Fates is a common English name for the three spinning fate goddesses of European mythologies: Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... The theme of weaving in mythology is ancient, and its lost mythic lore probably accompanied the early spread of this mysterious art. ... For the 1934 film, see The Goddess (1934 film). ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Mythology (disambiguation). ...

• Moirae in Greek mythology
• Parcae in Roman mythology
• Norns in Norse mythology

The Daughters of Necessity For other meanings, see Fate, a disambiguation page. ... The bust of Zeus found at Otricoli (Sala Rotonda, Museo Pio-Clementino, Vatican) Greek mythology is the body of stories belonging to the Ancient Greeks concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. ... In Greek mythology, the white-robed Moirae or Moerae (Greek Μοίραι – the Apportioners, often called the Fates) were the personifications of destiny (Roman equivalent: Parcae, sparing ones, or Fatae; also equivalent to the Germanic Norns). ... A head of Minerva found in the ruins of the Roman baths in Bath Roman mythology, the mythological beliefs of the people of Ancient Rome, can be considered as having two parts. ... Look up Norns in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Norse, Viking or Scandinavian mythology comprises the indigenous pre-Christian religion, beliefs and legends of the Scandinavian peoples, including those who settled on Iceland, where most of the written sources for Norse mythology were assembled. ...

The Goddess of Necessity, Themis, brought forth three lovely daughters, known as the Moirai (Fates). All living things must eventually submit to these divine daughters of Zeus and Themis. Their names are: Koltho (Clotho), Lakhesis (Lachesis) and Atropos.

Klotho spins the thread of life, Lakhesis determines the length of the thread and Atropos cuts the thread when the proper time has come for death. They are also called the Moirai to denote their descent from Moira, the original goddess of Fate. They are not to be confused with the Furies, who are the daughters of Nyx (Night). They laugh at our feeble attempts to cheat them because they always prevail. They are also known as the Moiras or Keras.

They are often confused with the Roman goddesses, the Morae.

They are alluded to in many literary works. In Shakespeare's Macbeth the three witches are believed to represent these three fates, determining Macbeth's fate. In Disney's Hercules the three fates decided when one was to die.