Skip to main content
Moirai

Moirai

1 9.9
Three goddesses who decide the lives and fates of people and gods
  • noun
  • /ˈmɔɪraɪ/
  • Literature
: Moirai
  • Scholars often compare the roles of the Moirai in Greek mythology to similar figures in other cultures.

Examples

  • In ancient poetry, the Moirai are depicted as spinning the threads of life and fate.

  • The Moirai control destiny.

  • According to legend, not even the gods could change the decisions of the Moirai.

  • The Moirai are powerful!

  • According to legend, the Moirai determine the fate of every individual at birth.

  • In ancient stories, people believed that the Moirai spun the threads of life for both mortals and gods.

  • Many feared the Moirai, knowing that they had the power to weave fate and alter destiny.

Synonyms

Parcae
vsMoirai
  • Literature
1 9.9

Three Roman goddesses who spin, measure, and cut the thread of people's lives

is the Greek trio rather than the Roman counterparts
Moirae
vsMoirai
  • Literature
9.9

Three Greek goddesses who decide how long people live and what happens to them

is the same group but spelled in an alternate form

Surface Forms

Moirai singular
Moirai plural

Etymology

Moirai comes from the Greek word moira, which means 'share' or 'lot'. Think of life as a 'share' given to each person — the Moirai were the three goddesses who decided and controlled each person's share, so they became the rulers of fate.