Buzz
An extensive exploration of symbols representing life's course, destiny, and purpose
Key Points to Remember
- The Moirai, a trio of Greek goddesses, are believed to spin and control human destiny. They are linked to symbols such as thread, scissors, and spindles.
- The Web of Wyrd, associated with the Norns, Norse goddesses of fate, along with the Wheel of Fortune, symbolizes life's cycles and destiny.
- The concept of the red thread of fate originates from Chinese belief, signifying that individuals whose destinies are intertwined are connected by a red string.
Steps to Follow
Exploring Symbols of Fate
The Moirai The Moirai, also known as the Fates, are a trio of sisters in ancient Greek mythology responsible for controlling human destiny. Clotho spins the threads of life, Lachesis measures them, and Atropos cuts them, symbolizing predetermined fate since birth.
- Symbols such as spindles, threads, scissors, and doves represent the Moirai and fate itself, with cutting threads indicating death or a pivotal moment in destiny.
The Web of Wyrd In Norse mythology, the Web of Wyrd symbolizes interconnected past, present, and future destinies. The Norns, Urd, Verdandi, and Skuld, weave this web, akin to the Greek Fates, at the well of Urðr beneath Yggdrasil.
- The Web of Wyrd, or Skuld's Net, portrays the cyclical nature of fate for all beings.
The Wheel of Fortune The Wheel of Fortune, or Rota Fortunae, symbolizes life's cyclical nature, encompassing both fortune and misfortune. It serves as a reminder to be prepared for life's unpredictable changes.
- Associated with the Roman goddess Fortuna, the wheel could bring immense luck or devastating loss, as depicted in ancient Roman mythology and modern tarot cards.
The Red Thread of Fate Chinese and Japanese folklore embrace the belief that individuals destined to meet are connected by a red string, symbolizing fate and the possibility of intertwined lives.
- In Chinese culture, the red thread ties around the ankles, while in Japanese tradition, it connects a male's thumb to a female's little finger.
- The color red, symbolizing happiness, holds significant cultural importance in Chinese tradition.
The Ankh The ankh, an ancient Egyptian symbol, represents life and immortality. Its loop symbolizes the eternal cycle of life and death, and it's associated with the divine's life-giving power and the concept of fate.
- The ankh is often called the “Key of Life” and was integral to a person's journey through life and the afterlife in ancient Egyptian mythology.
The Owuo Atwedee The owuo atwedee, an Adinkra symbol, symbolizes the certainty of death. Its name, “death’s ladder,” reflects the universal inevitability of death, serving as a reminder of fate's natural course for all individuals.
The Ouroboros The ouroboros, an ancient symbol, depicts a serpent consuming its tail, symbolizing the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. This eternal cycle is associated with the concept of fate and eternity.
- The ouroboros appears in various cultures, including ancient Egypt and Norse mythology, representing divine power and cyclic existence.
The Wheel of Dharma The Wheel of Dharma, found in Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism, represents Buddha’s teachings and the path to enlightenment. Its cyclical movement symbolizes life’s cyclical nature, fate, and the potential for change through following the Buddhist path.
- The wheel signifies following one's dharma and acknowledges that fate and suffering can transform through Buddhist teachings.
Labyrinth A labyrinth, known for its intricate maze structure, symbolizes fate and life's journey. In Greek mythology, the Labyrinth of Crete, home to the minotaur, represents life's twists and turns as individuals navigate toward their destiny.
Compass Compasses, practical navigation devices, symbolize guidance, freedom, and self-discovery. They represent making one's fate and the power of choice in shaping the future.
- Various symbols offer different perspectives on fate, from predetermined destinies to the possibilities of life and free will.
Fate Etymology
Fate originates from the Latin word fatum, meaning “that which is ordained,” referring to destiny or guiding spirit. Literally, it means “thing spoken (by the gods),” associated with prophecy or bad luck.
- The term “fatum” and “fata” derive from “fatus,” meaning “spoken.”
- Latin also refers to a singular goddess of fate as “parca,” with “parcae” denoting the three Roman Fates.
- The Greek Moirai, or Fates, derive from a verb meaning “to receive one’s share.”
Fate in Mythology
Fate is depicted through goddesses in Indo-European mythology, often as a trio governing past, present, and future. Examples include the Gulses from Hittite mythology, Greek Moirai, Norse Norns, and others.
- The Gulses, benevolent goddesses from Hittite mythology, oversaw midwifery and birth.
- Roman Parcae, influenced by Greek mythology, presided over destiny and childbirth.
- Irish mythology also references seven fate goddesses weaving destiny threads.
Slavic folktales also mention three spinning fate goddesses. Lithuanian tales talk about seven goddesses known as the “deivės valdytojos,” who determine fates at birth and hang stars in the sky with threads. When someone dies, their thread breaks, and the star falls as a meteor.
- Latvian folklore mentions Láima, a goddess who weaves children's fates at birth, sometimes as a single goddess or a trio.
- Russian Rožanicy, Czech and Slovak Sudičky, Bulgarian Narenčnice, Polish Rodzanice, Croatian Rodjenice, Serbian Sudjenice, and Slovene Rojenice all refer to three spinning fate goddesses.
- In Albanian tales, three old women called the Fatit determine a child's fate after birth.
Fate in the Visual Arts
The Fates, especially the Moirai, have been depicted in various artistic forms. Clotho is often depicted as youthful, associated with birth and the past, while Atropos is shown as elderly, representing old age and death as she cuts mortal threads. Clotho typically holds a thread, Lachesis an eyeglass, and Atropos carries scissors.
- Francisco de Goya's “black paintings” include Atropos, depicting the Moirai.
- Artist Anne-Katrin Altwein sculpted Clotho as a pregnant woman, deviating from traditional representations.
Fictional Depictions of Fate
Fate is a common theme in literature and media. Fictional works often incorporate fate goddesses, like those inspired by the Moirai.
- Examples include William Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Disney’s Hercules, which feature versions of the Fates.
- Other depictions include Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman comics, the God of War video game series, Anaïs Mitchell's musical Hadestown, and Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians series.
- These works explore themes such as fate's inevitability and the impact of choices on destiny.
