Die drei Moiras

The Moirai are the three goddesses of fate in Greek mythology who spin, measure, and cut the thread of life of every mortal. Klotho spins the red thread from within her; Lachesis measures and weaves the thread of life in her hands, thereby determining its length and destiny; and Atropos severs the thread with her shears and thus marks death. They are considered daughters of Nyx, the Night, or of Zeus and Themis. The moons associated with the Night represent the three phases of human life: childhood, adulthood, and old age. It is said that even Zeus feared them, since no one could change the fate determined by them; the Moirai secured the cosmic order.