Since ancient times, it has been noticed that every person's age develops in a special way, unlike others. It was customary to believe that the gods were in charge of these processes, nothing less. People described them and tried to negotiate in order to beg for a better share. The Greeks believed that Moira, the goddess of fate, was leading them by the hand. These are three sisters standing aside from the common Pantheon. Let's get to know them better, maybe it will be useful to someone in life.
Moira - Goddess of Fate
It is rather indicative that in the formation of the concepts of rock people were driven by fear. They were afraid of an unknown force that dominated them. It seemed impossible to get rid of her, or somehow influence what was destined. By the way, today's thinkers are not far from the people of antiquity. They all say the same, the fate of each member of society is destined before birth, only little things depend on our will.
Ancient people tied theirideas about the future at first with material objects. For example, fate could lie in a stone or a firebrand. By breaking this item, it was possible to take someone else's share. With the development of abstract thinking, the image of the gods became more complex. Higher beings acquired traits, characters, were endowed with will, goals and duties. So they arose in the general idea of Moira - the goddess of fate. These are representatives of the dark world, invisible to people, but holding the life and happiness of everyone in their hands. They treated them respectfully and fearfully. This is proved by the fact that there are practically no images of Moir left. Ancient people feared their wrath more than real dangers.
Three sisters and their parents
With the development of ideas about deities, higher beings began to be shrouded in legends and beliefs. Moirs were considered sisters and portrayed (described) as spinners, endlessly working on the threads of fate. Over time, the question arose about their origin.
Ancient mythology contains rather confusing information about this. It is generally accepted that the Moira (goddess of fate) are the daughters of Zeus and Themis. It was sometimes said that the sisters were born by Night, who also created Death.
In any case, the Moirai are the rightful mistresses of each person's share. Without their knowledge or consent, it is impossible to do anything, from a simple harvest to a long journey. From birth to death, as the inhabitants of Ancient Greece believed, a person is accompanied by Moira, the goddess of fate. The names of these higher beings are Lhesis, Clotho and Atropos. Let's talk abouteach a couple of words.
On the separation of duties
Fate is a rather broad concept. The Greeks divided it into three parts. The first was determined before birth. Lachesis was responsible for this work. She was considered the giver of lots. Some received a comfortable life from her, others fame, and the majority of the population received a hard, difficult lot.
The man who came into the world was accompanied by Clotho - a spinner. She looks like this in rare images: a woman making thread from wool. Next to her is constantly the third sister - Atropos. She has a book and scissors in her hands - the instrument of Death. This goddess is free at any moment to cut the thread of a person's fate. She observes everyone and evaluates his actions. Show disobedience, make a mistake, she will immediately make a radical decision about your earthly existence.
Thus the Moiras (goddesses of fate) were endowed with tasks of their own. I wonder whether the idea of the division of labor developed from these ideas? Science has not considered such a question.
Moira (goddess of fate): attributes
Each of the sisters had their own tools with which they influenced the lot of a person. Lachesis holds a spindle in his hands (according to other versions - a measuring device). With his help, she allocates to each the appropriate piece of thread - fate. The Greeks believed that this happens even before the birth of man. If you ask well, you can find out in advance your length of stay in that world.
Klotho's attribute is the thread itself. This goddess creates destiny without interrupting the spinning process. Atropos, on the other hand, controls that no mortal gets too much. Her task is to cut the thread in time (cut it with scissors). It should be noted that Moira's attributes were received much later than the time when their images were finally formed in society.
Rock or fate are more ancient concepts than weaving. With the development of crafts, people tried to attribute the use of tools to the gods. Thus, the Moirai acquired their attributes, which were ideally suited to the tasks formed in the beliefs. Does your fate really have higher patrons? What do you think?
